They are here! Harlo Lang Winget opened his eyes and cried at about 3:02pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 followed shortly by his brother Rhys Edward Winget at 3:09pm. Harlo weighed 990 grams as was 36.5 cm long, and Rhys was a bit bigger at 1015 grams and 37 cm. I got to touch each one on my belly before they were whisked away to warmers and later the NICU. After a couple hours of re-cooperation (and getting feeling back in my toes), Jason and I made our way over to the NICU and spent some time with them. Late last night both were in their incubator igloos with IVs for fluids, little masks for breathing assistance, and lots of heat and love for good measure.
This morning both boys started making trouble and dislodged their IVs, and Rhys's blood gas dropped. So Rhys now has a UV line (umbilical vein IV) and is getting more help breathing (he currently seems to be tired and is letting the machine do all the work). Harlo's IV has ended up taped to his left arm and what appears to be a tiny oven mitt! Both are pretty tiny with fragile skin. They aren't skin and bones, they just don't have any baby fat.
I got to hold Rhys as they were moving him to the warmer from his incubator before putting in the UV and changed Harlo's diaper in the afternoon. I should go home tomorrow, and then we will be to really arrange our schedules around Harlo and Rhys, trying to be with both when things are happening (diaper changes, feedings) and slow times when they are sleeping. We get to be in the NICU 24 hours a day and can touch them any time. And we will!
Thank you for all the wishes and congratulations - think about us!
March 31, 2011
March 29, 2011
The Beached Whale Journal, Day 6
Today started out interesting and only got more so. Glucose testing was this morning - drink 75g sugar in 300mL water in 5 minutes and have blood drawn three times. Then the real fun started. Both babies are in, but barely! We remain here, kicking, and starting to contract with 2cm dialation. Not much change since 2pm, so we are starting to hope again for a few more days in, but looks like the end is nearer than before. Cross you fingers and I'll try to find a cork for this sucker.
March 28, 2011
The Beached Whale Journal, Day 5
Slow going around here until about 4pm when I got moved to a private room! Apparently it takes 5 days to arrive at the top of the waiting list for a private room on this floor. Suddenly I have rated a window, my own bathroom, and a portable sleep cushion for Jason.
My other big excitement today was getting to participate in work for a couple hours via Skype. Thanks to my lab group for the patience with microphones and instant messaging.
Jessica and Dany stopped by yesterday in addition to two visits from Jason.
The twins are still kicking vigorously, and B or Beta or Vanilla Bean has probably flipped around to be feet first. We shall see on the ultrasound tomorrow.
My favorite picture of the moment:
My other big excitement today was getting to participate in work for a couple hours via Skype. Thanks to my lab group for the patience with microphones and instant messaging.
Jessica and Dany stopped by yesterday in addition to two visits from Jason.
The twins are still kicking vigorously, and B or Beta or Vanilla Bean has probably flipped around to be feet first. We shall see on the ultrasound tomorrow.
My favorite picture of the moment:
March 27, 2011
The Beached Whale Journal, Days 3 & 4
Being on bedrest is a bit like being back in college. You do everything on your bed - eat, sleep, read, work, paint your toenails. Everything is going fine, babies in and kicking, even with an onslaught of visitors!
Notable notes from the last two days:
Marli came by with lovely flowers that had the food service woman talking more than she had in 3 days.
Mom and Dad sent more flowers which certainly brightened up the space.
Chris and Jessie stopped by with CANDY, games, and conversation.
Emma and Steven came by with more SUGAR and chats. And even returned a tupperware container that they didn't have to - a gal after my own heart.
Jason came by twice in one day and took me outside! That had to be the highlight as I had yet to be out of my room until yesterday morning.
I am officially on roommate #3.
It appears to be a long haul here, but Jason reminded me that to be an expert in something requires 10,000 hours on the job. Even if I am here for another 11 weeks (37 weeks would be full term for twins). I will have only racked up 1848 hours of bedrest (77 days x 24 hours). Even though my sleeping counts for expertise points, I still won't be an expert in bedrest when I leave!
Jason and Gus are coming to an arrangement at home with their new routines, including the arrival of our new rocking chair!
Notable notes from the last two days:
Marli came by with lovely flowers that had the food service woman talking more than she had in 3 days.
Mom and Dad sent more flowers which certainly brightened up the space.
Chris and Jessie stopped by with CANDY, games, and conversation.
Emma and Steven came by with more SUGAR and chats. And even returned a tupperware container that they didn't have to - a gal after my own heart.
Jason came by twice in one day and took me outside! That had to be the highlight as I had yet to be out of my room until yesterday morning.
I am officially on roommate #3.
It appears to be a long haul here, but Jason reminded me that to be an expert in something requires 10,000 hours on the job. Even if I am here for another 11 weeks (37 weeks would be full term for twins). I will have only racked up 1848 hours of bedrest (77 days x 24 hours). Even though my sleeping counts for expertise points, I still won't be an expert in bedrest when I leave!
Jason and Gus are coming to an arrangement at home with their new routines, including the arrival of our new rocking chair!
March 25, 2011
The Beached Whale Journal, Day 2
48 hours in, and the time has slowed a bit. But, I have made a lot of viral concentrates that seemed as slow, and I survived!
Yesterday afternoon I got a back massage - very nice- and visits from Jason - even better. Today is much slower, and my rommate went home so its pretty quiet. Buns are still cooking in the oven and kicking well.
I got to ring the nurse for the first time today - to take the ballerina tights off so I could take a shower! They take some yanking, and I didn't think curling up like a hedgehog to get them off was a good idea.
My first doctor here said this would be like eating an elephant - take lots of little bites to get it all in. Yesterday I would have said the bites were raw and too salty to eat many of, but today they a bit more palatable. Now I shall just have to devise a plan to get the body pillow back from the dog whenever I get home!
Thanks for all the wishes and notes, they help tremendously. Hopefully some pictures tomorrow!
Yesterday afternoon I got a back massage - very nice- and visits from Jason - even better. Today is much slower, and my rommate went home so its pretty quiet. Buns are still cooking in the oven and kicking well.
I got to ring the nurse for the first time today - to take the ballerina tights off so I could take a shower! They take some yanking, and I didn't think curling up like a hedgehog to get them off was a good idea.
My first doctor here said this would be like eating an elephant - take lots of little bites to get it all in. Yesterday I would have said the bites were raw and too salty to eat many of, but today they a bit more palatable. Now I shall just have to devise a plan to get the body pillow back from the dog whenever I get home!
Thanks for all the wishes and notes, they help tremendously. Hopefully some pictures tomorrow!
March 24, 2011
The Beached Whale Journal, Day 1
So, we are in the hospital. For at least a week, likely longer. 26 week twins and a shortened cervix will get you mandatory bedrest faster than a concussion in the NHL.
Yesterday I went to the doctor, and she recommended going to the hospital, which promptly admitted us. All is well, just not perfect. The ultrasound yesterday showed both babies head-down and of size - 960 grams! The first goal is 27 weeks (Monday), and really we are hoping for 28 weeks.
Today I was fitted for these lovely ballerina tights - TED stockings to help with leg circulation - and got my bedrest exercise booklet. In the next little while I expect my second dose of steroids to help with the babies air sac deployment should they come in the next week.
The food is okay, my roommate is nice, but I am still grieving not being at home with Jason and Gus.
Update tomorrow!
Yesterday I went to the doctor, and she recommended going to the hospital, which promptly admitted us. All is well, just not perfect. The ultrasound yesterday showed both babies head-down and of size - 960 grams! The first goal is 27 weeks (Monday), and really we are hoping for 28 weeks.
Today I was fitted for these lovely ballerina tights - TED stockings to help with leg circulation - and got my bedrest exercise booklet. In the next little while I expect my second dose of steroids to help with the babies air sac deployment should they come in the next week.
The food is okay, my roommate is nice, but I am still grieving not being at home with Jason and Gus.
Update tomorrow!
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