The Little Hedgehogs, 10 weeks++

Harlo, Rhys, & Danielle, Day 75

Harlo & Rhys, Day 74 - first slap fight?

Harlo swimming, Day 73

Harlo & Rhys, Day 71

On the stretcher for the ambulance ride, Day 71

Rhys, Day 69

Rhys with Jessie and Chris, Day 67

Rhys and Jason, Day 68

What a difference nine days makes! Last Thursday we moved to a new hospital to finish growing and learning how to eat. The ambulance ride was our first outing, and everyone just slept. The most exciting news is that they are finally in a crib together and interacting with one another. Rhys is 2448g and Harlo is 2906g. Both are feeding by gravity flow when not trying bottling or nursing - no more pumps!!

We loved BC Women's and Childrens', but St. Paul's is wonderful too. The commute is longer (50 min vs. 10 min) but (1) we get more exercise walking to it, (2) we get to spend time together during the commute, (3) bus tickets are cheaper than gas, and (4) Harlo and Rhys love it there. The nurses are just amazing - spending 45min to an hour each time helping us with bottling and nursing.

The Little Hedgehogs, 9 weeks+

Harlo, Day 62

Rhys sucking on a finger he put in his mouth, Day 62

Our little frog, Harlo, Day 63

Danielle with Rhys and Harlo, Day 64

Rhys, Day 64

Rhys & Jason (left) and Harlo (right), Day 66

Harlo & Rhys are edging closer to a homecoming. Rhys weighs 2195g (4.8lbs) and Harlo is 2650g (5.8lbs). We work almost daily on bottle feeding or nursing, with very slow but steady progress. Once they master either or both, they are free to come home. We may be transferred to a new hospital this week to finish growing and learning, which would be the first time they have ever been outside!

The Little Hedgehogs, 8 weeks++

Harlo holding Jessica's finger, Day 60 - wearing a onesie from Cullen!

Harlo and Danielle, Day 60

Jessica, Dany & Rhys, Day 60

Dany, Jessica, Jason & Rhys, Day 60

Harlo and Rhys continue to grow - Harlo is over 2300g and Rhys is over 2000g and has almost doubled his birth weight (2030g). Rhys has been on a course of antibiotics for a small skin infection that is rapidly clearing up.

The Littler Hedgehogs,8 weeks+

Harlo, Day 53 and Rhys, Day 54

Harlo, Jason & Jessica, Day 54 - their first visitor!

Rhys sans all tubes, Day 57

Rhys, Danielle & Harlo, Day 58

Rhys, Day 58

A few recent pictures for everyone to enjoy. Rhys is now eating every 2 hours through his stomach - a big change from continuous feeds to his small intestine! Harlo is our chunky monkey - over 2200g.

The Littler Hedgehogs, 8 weeks

Today marks 2 months since Harlo and Rhys first saw Jason and I. We have come a long way! Rhys is now breathing independently and weighs over 4lbs. Harlo is up to 4 1/2 lbs and has officially doubled his birth weight. They welcomed their first visitor to the NICU on the holiday Monday this week and should get their first vaccinations soon. We feel we have plateaued a bit again - waiting on them to get older and a bit bigger so that the eating falls in line with the breathing. They are only 35 weeks!

The Littler Hedgehogs, 7 weeks

Harlo and Danielle, Day 50

Rhys' first bath, Harlo sucking a finger, Harlo's first bath

Jason and Harlo

First double cuddle

Harlo and Rhys are 50 days old! Rhys is a giant 1736g, and Harlo is 1890g. Both are so much improved - last night we had NO ALARMS the entire time we visited including a bath, an hour off breathing assistance for Rhys, and our first attempt at breastfeeding with Harlo. We just can not relate how soothing and exciting it is to interact with each of them without worrying so much.

The Littler Hedgehogs, 6 weeks++

Just a quick note with a promise to post pictures soon.

Harlo and Rhys have continued to do great over the weekend. I changed the title to "Littler" because Rhys is over 3 3/4 lbs, and Harlo broke 4 lbs. yesterday. On Saturday, Harlo also came out of his isolette into a crib. On Sunday we gave Harlo his first bath, and then I held them both together for the first time. Yesterday they both took a trial at being off any breathing assistance, and Harlo is still off almost 21 hours later! We can't wait to start working up to independence with Rhys during cuddles this week.