Growing, one feeding at a time

Wednesday January 30, 2013

Another Great Day for both girls.  Anna's feedings have increased and she is tolerating them perfectly.  Also, they tested for biliruben and her numbers are going down, so she should not need the light therapy again unless she shows signs of yellowing etc.

Kathryn had another great night of bottles from the nurse.  She continues to develop her suck, swallow, breath skills.  She even tried breast feeding today for the first time and got the hang of it for about 6 minutes, good girl! 

At her next feeding Sam was able to give her most of her bottle.  He also changed her diaper for the first time.  Sam is growing up too as he learns new skills as Kathryn grows up.

Sam burping Kathryn, I love to see how small she is compared to Sam's hand.

I held Anna for skin to skin time today, I also changed her diaper in her house.  I look forward to the day when I can change her diaper outside her house when she does not have as many wires connected to her.

My Mom held Kathryn for the first time today, and it was precious.  It is so nice that Kathryn can be held more frequently.  I think she is getting used to all of the one on one time.

Thursday January 31, 2013

I breast fed Kathryn again today for half of her feeding.  She is doing such a great job on her feedings.  She also took half a bottle for me at her next feeding.  However that tired her out, and she slept peacefully all afternoon.  She was held my her Grammy and her Mom today.  I changed Kathryn's entire outfit for the first time today.  She spit up all over herself after one of her feedings.

Sam did skin to skin time with Anna in the evening.  Both Dad and daughter looked quite comfy lounging in the chair together.  So sweet!

We enjoy our time at the hospital all together, and enjoy learning about preemie's and infant care tips from the nurses.  I cannot imagine what it would be like without their help, they are so wonderful!

Happy 1 week Birthday

There have been a lot of milestones accomplished last night on January 28 as well as today, January 29 for both Kathryn and Anna.

Last night Kathryn's IV line in her belly button was removed.  This enabled her to be placed in a crib.  She held her temperature perfectly all throughout the night and will continue to stay in a crib.  She received a bottle for the first time as well and liked it.  The first time she only took half of the bottle, and second time she was uninterested and the third time she took the entire bottle.  What a big girl.  She also was dressed for the first time in regular clothes and was placed in a swaddle sleep sack where she looked very happy and warm snug as a bug in a rug.  What a big girl we have on our hands.  She is no longer big baby, but a big little girl  :)  It is unbelievable to watch the progress she has made in the last 24 hours.

Her sister Anna, is very happy today too.  Today is the first time she will receive more food.  Her feedings were only occurring every 6 hours to make sure her digestive track was mature enough to handle the good.  Today she will start to receive the feedings every 3 hours.  Good Job Anna!

Anna's light on her foot measure her Oxygen levels, but I think it looks like ET's finger!

Sam went back to work on Monday, but has been able to stop by in the morning on his way to work.  As well as stop by during his lunch time, and then he is able to spend a longer time with the girls in the evening.

Sam and I take turns alternating girls for the Kangaroo care.  I hold one girl during the day and Sam will hold the other girl at night.  So both Mom and Dad can get their snuggle time in with the ladies.  This is the favorite part of our days, just holding our little girls.

I also changed Kathryn's diaper for the first time today as well as Anna's diaper for the first time while she stayed in her house.  I was a proud Mom to be able to change both girls diapers in the same day.

Since Kathryn is in a crib, she has the opportunity to be held at all of her feedings.  So today I held Kathryn for Kangaroo care at lunch and then I held her in her sleep sack in the evening.  She was uninterested to take a bottle with me, but I was glad I could hold her twice in one day for the first time.

We also took our first family of 4 picture.  Sam kangaroo'd Anna tonight, and I brought Kathryn over to Sam and Anna for our photo op.  Also, we placed both girls on Sam's chest for a photo as well.  It was precious to see the girls laying together for the first time since they were born.

 

Morrison Family of Four

Girls back together again on Dad's lap, Kathryn has a little smile to share with us

Proud Dad Sam with his girls!

Mom holding Kathryn for the first time in her clothes

My Mom has been a great help while she is staying with us this week.  She drives me back and forth to the hospital multiple times a day.  She prepares delicious food for us in the evening, and even helps me put on my socks and shoes.  Today she touched Kathryn's head for the first time as all 3 Kathryn's sat together.  She also prayed her lullaby to both girls, which is the same song she sang to Ryan and I when we were little.  It was a special moment for her to share with the girls, and I appreciate her love for them as well as Samuel and I.

Today was a great day!  It seems like each day our prayers are answered by mini miracles which we know are signs of God's blessings each.

The Girls Arrive

We have a semi surprising update. Went to the Dr on Monday and he said "Lets deliver these babies" Not because anything was bad but because nothing was Great.. So we delivered yesterday at 12:12 (32.6 weeks). Officially Kathryn Elizabeth is 4 lbs 8 oz 17 1/2 inch long 12 inch head. Anna Lucile is 1 lbs 14 oz 14 inches long 10 1/2 inch head!

 

Due to their age, they were taken to a separate room immediately after delivery to be checked and assessed by the wonderful NICU team.

 

Around 5:00 Katie was wheeled from her recovery room to the NICU to see the babies from a far.  Katie was so nauseated that she briefly opened her eyes to see the girls from afar.  Then they wheeled Katie to her regular room for the week.  Later that evening once Katie's spinal medicine wore off and she could finally feel her toes, Sam wheeled her down in a wheel chair to see the girls at 11:00 at night.  This is the first time we could actually see the girls in their private NICU rooms. 

They were on breathing machines over night. 

Anna with C-pap machine to help her breath on Tuesday

Kathryn on Ventilator to help her breath on Tuesdays.

 

Wednesday January 23, 2013

We were pleasantly surprised to see the girls on Wednesday without C-pap and Ventilator.  The girls responded positively with their respiratory functions and were removed from machines and instead received oxygen assistance through their nose, which is much more comfortable.  The doctors were pleased with how well they were doing in a short amount of time. 

 

 



 Kathryn off ventilator and onto normal oxygen cannula for breathing assistance, much more comfortable than the ventilator.  Kathryn is in a bed that helps her control her temperature.

Anna on oxygen in her little house.  Her house helps her regulate her temperature and minimize noise and light to protect her from being over stimulated since she is so tiny, but mighty!

 

Kathryn received her first bath this evening  She did not like it at first until they ran the water over her head and she became very calm.

 

Kate touching Kathryn for the first time 

 

Anna and Kathryn have jaundice, which is a common issue with preemies where the bilirubin in the blood is not processed properly through the liver.  The photo therapy lights help them process bilirubin.  They wear their sunglasses at night, because they are starts that shine bright!  :)

 

Thursday January 24, 2013

The girls jaundice levels have improved so they were removed from the photo lights today.  They did not like the sunglasses,  They both figured out how to take them off.  Little Anna wiggled her face out of the lights so she "didn't need" her glasses.  Silly girl, it is fun to watch her personality develop.

Anna's breathing is improving and they removed her off oxygen assistance today. 

Our little blessings had another great day and what a thrill for Kate hold her little girls for the first time. They were both a little fussy when the nurse picked them up but as soon as they go to lay on moms chest they immediately got quite and even their breathing improved.

 First time holding Anna.

First time holding Kathryn

The treatment is called skin to skin or kangaroo care.  It keeps the babies temperature high enough where they do not need the warmers.  It is very relaxing for mom and girls.  We wish we could do it more than once a day. 

Anna, with Mom and Dad

 

 

 

Friday January 25, 2013

Anna continues to stay off oxygen and Kathryn goes off oxygen assistance for the first time and doing well.  Kathryn actually pulled out the oxygen from her nose and the doctor said, I guess we will see how she can do without it.  Sure enough, she was just perfect with out.  She is already telling us what she likes and does not like, classic!

 Katie holding Anna for the second time, she is so little, but so cute!

Kathryn relaxing without oxygen, looks pretty happy

 

Saturday January 26, 2013

 

Katie is released from the hospital today, hurray!  I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed free from interruptions from the nurses, doctors, etc.

 

Sam held Kathryn for the first time today.  She was very calm and relaxed on his chest during the skin to skin time.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday January 27, 2013

 

Sam held Anna for the first time today.  She relaxed peacefully in his arms for about 2 hours.  I think they both enjoyed their time together.  Katie held Kathryn and looked across to Sam holding Anna at the same time.  We enjoyed our time together as a family of four.  Sam's shirt and Anna's hat coordinated today, what a cute Father Daughter picture!

 

 

Throughout the entire week they have been gradually increasing Kathryn's food.  In the near future she will hopefully be off all IV nutrients and only fed with milk.  As the week progressed she became more calm and happy the more food she received. 

 

Anna has been stable with her feedings, even though she only receives a little amount every 6 hours.  She is still on her IV nutrients to give her the calories she needs.  She should be able to get more food at her feedings more frequently in the near future.

 

Kathryn continues to sleep in her warming bed, and Anna in her plastic house to help them moderate their temperature.