Progress...



Both girls have now progressed to wearing clothes. They have lots of cute, tiny clothes, and we were starting to think they'd never get to wear them. But both are totally unhooked from all tubes and lines now, Rowan got her IV out last night. Also the temperatures in their incubators are being turned down gradually, so that we can see if they can regulate their body temperatures. Up until now, they have been, as Chris puts it "cold blooded little creatures..." We think they look more like babies, rather than preemies, every day. And the clothes definitely help. In the photos, Rowan is on the left, Saoirse is on the right. You'll also notice that there are no white patches on Saoirse's head anymore. Those were velcro stickers that her little cloth glasses stuck to. She had to wear the glasses when she was in her bed, because of the bilirubin lights. But now she's free! No velcro stickers anymore.

Both girls are working valiantly on eating. Who knew getting babies to eat could be so difficult? Each girl is now getting 40 ml per feeding, every 3 hours around the clock. Saoirse has been drinking her bottles on her own for more than a week now. Rowan, on the other hand, finds eating to be quite a challenge. She sucks pretty intermittently, tires easily, and spits a lot out. All of this is normal for a preemie, but it means she needs some work before she gets to come home. So she still has an NG tube (the little tube in her nose) so that when she can't finish her meal they can put the breastmilk in her belly directly.

4 comments:

  Unknown

May 30, 2007 at 11:39 AM

You're right that they look more like babies every day. It's been amazing just to see them grow in pictures. I can't wait to hold them in person. Love you both. Give the girls lots of kisses for me.

Aunt Eva

  andi

May 30, 2007 at 9:53 PM

I had forgotten how tiny Nora was until I saw the picture of Chris and Rowan. They are so cute and their clothes are so tiny. Wait till they are about a year old and then lay those outfits on them, you will be amazed at the difference. Can't wait to see all of you! Miss you and love you!

  Lydia

May 30, 2007 at 10:37 PM

Oh Guys! They're beautiful! It is so nice to see them unhooked, in their little pink outfits, and sitting up bright-eyed on Daddy's lap...sniff, sniff. Hang in there, mom and dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love, Lydia

  AMANDA

May 31, 2007 at 7:52 PM

I love these little Papp girls.