Amazing!

The doctor said today that the babies were "doing very well" and are "amazing". I actually teared up when he said it - he just smiled. It meant so much to hear him say that - the man who does not gush - and gives all news in a straightforward, incredibly honest manner. I totally believed him.

David's medications were all changed to PO preparations this evening. (They will all be given by mouth). Most exciting is that they will remove his PICC line tonight!! (That is his central line access). The IV is sure to follow! It will be wonderful to see him minus the 2 IV tubes - and no IV access is always a HUGE plus. (Greatly reduces risk for infection). His feedings were increased so he is now at full feeding status. He is not gaining enough weight currently (same as Mary Louise) but they will give him another day or 2 prior to supplementing his breast milk. He is now 2 pounds 5 ounces. They were also able to reduce his rate on the vent once more. His CO2 has remained low (which is a good thing - it means his breathing is effective) so they will reduce his rate as long as it does not increase. Blood gases are done via heel stick throughout the day to check his CO2 reading as well as other values. YAY for our little peanut for tolerating all of this so well.

Mary Louise had her first bath with Mom and Dad tonight! We actually ended up watching mostly as the nurse gave us lessons on the most efficient and effective bathing methods. There is always a huge worry about her getting cold so the bath must be as quick as possible. She seemed to enjoy it overall though-especially the warm water over her belly part. Her weight is increasing very slowly - again not as much as needed but it is going in the right direction all the same. She gained 4 more grams this evening. She is now 2 pounds 8 ounces. She has also graduated to what I affectionately call the "big girl" preemie diapers. The tiny ones she was wearing were getting a bit tight around the waist so the nurse switched her to the larger size. (I think these go up to 4 pounds or so.) They are quite big on her but not ridiculous so we were excited to see her floating around in them.

Of course we have photos of all of it which will be posted sometime soon.

I've gotten a couple of questions since yesterday...
1. Are you still pumping? ABSOLUTELY! I feel lucky to be able to produce anything at all and diligently pump every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day and night. The mastitis is slowly clearing and I have 2 days of antibiotics left. I would love to breastfeed when the babies are ready, but they may still need supplements and increased calories even when they go home, so, I will at least continue to pump if breast feeding remains out of reach.

2. Why isn't Brent doing kangaroo care in the photos? He knows he can if he wants to. Many times, he gets home from work, washes up a bit and we head to the hospital so he just doesn't have the right kind of shirt on. At any rate, it isn't because he's not allowed - he just hasn't done it just yet.

Those are the only 2 I think. Hope everyone is doing well. We are "AMAZING!" and doing "very well".

Love, Heather