Tuesday June 29th

Hello everyone! Today started out kind of rough for me. Isabel had gained up to 3 lbs a couple days ago (2 ounces above her birth weight) and it had dropped back to birth weight again. The doctors and nurses were only mildly concerned and continued to increase her feeding volume. They reminded me that she is doing great and that she WILL gain weight. Even so, I have been frustrated by this because I watch Alexander continue to gain and gain. Although I am thankful for his success, it's difficult not to compare Isabel's growth to his. By the way, he is up to 3 lbs 9 oz now! He is our little chunk:) I held Isabel for 2 hours today during one of her feedings. It was a good time for us both and gave me the time/opportunity to pray for her growth and development.

Good news came at our visit tonight when Isabel weighed in at 3 lbs again! I am once again hopeful that she is moving in the right direction although I must prepare myself better for the ups and downs. Our visit also resulted in another surprise for Greg and I. We were able to learn how to give the babies a bath! The nurse showed us how on Isabel and then Greg and I gave our first bath to Alexander. It was a little scary because he is so tiny and was so slippery in the water but it was also fun to care for him. In the NICU it can be challenging because you feel limited in the care you are able to give to your babies. For this reason, baths and changing diapers are actually enjoyable at this stage. Feel free to remind Greg of this in a few months when the babies make it home :)

Love to all,
Susan

Saturday June 26th

From Greg: Another good day is in the books. I got to hold Isabel today and Susan held Alexander. What a wonderful experience. And yes, they make me change their diapers before I get to hold them, but I don't mind at all (at least not yet because there's not much yucky stuff). They continue to increase their feeding amounts everyday. Isabel may get her IV out tomorrow. Alexander already got his out. They continue to gain weight, which pleases me greatly because they are so tiny.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their past, present, and future prayers. When I get worried or concerned, I imagine an Angel in the NICU watching over our babies every minute of every day.

Now, onto the lighter stuff. Isabel was telling me that she cannot wait to wear some of her new clothes. Apparently, fashion divas get started early in life. I asked Alexander whether he was going to be left or right handed and he told me that it will depend upon which sport he is playing at the moment. Sounds like we have some ambitious kids.

Until next time...

Tuesday June 22

Well it was another positive day for the twins. Alexander is up to 4 oz daily of milk. He gets small feedings every 3 hours since his tummy is so small. They have actually graduated to putting him on pump instead of feeding through a syringe by gravity. The other good news is that he is close to meeting his calorie needs with these feedings alone. That means he will be able to remove the IV line in his hand. He also is close to being able to breath without the nasal cannula at all! Isabel is not far behind him. She is getting 2 oz of milk daily and they are also weaning her from the nasal cannula. So far no real setback since Isabel started tolerating her feedings. Please continue to pray that they do well.

Oh! Alexander smiled today. I don't care what anyone says.... it is not gas!! At any rate, it made Greg and I laugh.

I am doing much better. Every day I seem to feel a little more like myself and the pain is improving. Greg is also doing well. This entire experience has provided us with a whole new perspective. Life is Good!

Susan

Isabel Claire Wilson

Alexander Gabriel Wilson

Monday June 21st

The babies enjoyed time with their daddy yesterday. Greg was able to hold Isabel. We were very excited that they are both on room air with nasal cannulas now. It made holding Isabel a little easier. Alexander is off photo therapy once again, so we got to see his big eyes. That kid loves to open them up and look around! Alexander is up birth weight now (2 lbs 12 oz) and Isabel is gaining as well after losing 5 oz (2 lbs 10 oz) All in all, yesterday was a great day.

Saturday June 19

I have been home from the hospital 2 days now. What an adjustment! I am reminded by my husband and mother that my standards for a clean house must be downgraded. It's a challenge for me not to be able to do more for myself. The babies help me to keep everything in perspective though. Greg and I have been able to visit the twins twice a day. I have done Kangaroo care with both of them now. It is nice to hold them close (reminds me of when they were inside!) and they both seem to like it a lot too! Greg was able to hold Alexander yesterday. I'm hoping he can hold Isabel tomorrow, it being Father's Day and all!

Alexander is doing great on his feedings. They increased them today and Isabel is finally tolerating a small amount of milk. So thankful for this! They have turned her SiPap down and the apnea episodes are decreasing. She is so uncomfortable having it on her face, and just screams when she is unhappy. Alexander is back on photo therapy....I guess this is common. We are learning a lot about their personalities early! Alexander is soooo laid back. Isabel...not so much. Greg and I prefer to say she is "strong willed." The nurses say this is a great sign. We feel so blessed even with all the twists and turns.

June 17 - Thursday

Alexander and Isabel are doing well today. They both had been on photo therapy and are now doing fine without the light. Alexander is breathing with a nasal cannula only. In fact, he typically pulls it off his face and is still able to breath well. He has had trouble digesting milk lately, but they have restarted his feedings. Isabel is a little behind her brother today. She continues on SiPap and her feedings are stopped. They want to give her bowels a chance to rest. Not to worry though, they both had their TPN (IV nutrition) increased to meet their growing needs. Isabel is still ahead of the game for her gestational age, she is just a step behind Alexander.

We have been collecting video of the babies today and last night. I will see if Greg can help me post a video this weekend. I am doing well and will actually be leaving the hospital in the next few hours. I am not sure how we will react to being away from them, I know they are in great hands, just wish they were in mine ;) Please continue to pray for Alexander and Isabel as they develop into healthy babies!
Love, Susan

Update Wednesday June 16

Good morning everyone! Sorry to miss a post yesterday. The Blog manager had to return to work and his assistant had a very busy day. :-) The Dr. says I am recovering well and will be able to leave the hospital tomorrow. This is great news, but I will be sad to leave the babies behind.

I was able to participate in touch time last night with the babies. It was really awesome to see the babies respond to me and it feels so good to be able to comfort them, The babies are quite famous in the NICU and known as the "feisty ones!" They continue to amaze the staff and were taken off minimal stimulation orders yesterday. We understand its a good sign to be fussy and asking for attention. Their breathing is remarkable according to the staff and we are working on their feedings now. They are getting breast milk feedings every 4 hours and IV nutrition 24 hours/day. They are tough little babies!

Pictures of Alexander

Pictures of Isabel

Day One for Mommy and Daddy

Well it's been a full day since having to go ahead ahead and deliver Alexander and Isabel. Greg and I visited with them last night and they are doing better than expected for their gestational age (29 weeks). We visited with their nurse last night and are excited to probably get to touch them today! Greg will post pictures soon. We are told the babies will have good days and bad, so I am preparing myself for that along with having to leave them here while Greg and I go home later this week. The good news is that we can visit anytime day or night!

As for me, I am still in the labor and delivery area. They had some issue yesterday with various vitals, but everything appears to be heading in the right direction for my recovery. I am supposed to be transferred to postpartum sometime this morning. My lungs are clear and my fever is gone, so those are 2 good things.
Love, Susan :)

Happy Birthdays!!!

Isabel and Alexander were born at 5:24 a.m. and 5:25 a.m. this morning. They are tiny, but otherwise healthy. For the next 2 to 3 months, the NICU is going to help them grow big and strong with the help of some nutrition from Susan. Susan is doing well considering she had a C section and is recovering from what may have been pneumonia. Actually, she is doing really well. Minimal fluid (if any) in her lungs. She is resting now. By the way, the babies came out kicking and screaming, which is wonderful.

Saturday evening.

Well, the roller coaster ride continues. I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but Susan is feeling much better. ALL of her stats look better (pulse/ox, blood pressure, contractions, and energy level). She even got to have some real food again. The babies still look good and we continue to take it one day at a time. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We know that you are being heard.

Saturday morning.

There is definitely a battle going on. I have lost track of the specialists and doctors that have visited Susan and the babies. They are now "treating" her for pneumonia. It does not sound like they are 100% convinced she has pneumonia but it is better to be safe than sorry. She feels about the same and is still resting a lot. The babies are still doing great. Her ob/gyn would just like to get her healthier and see how long we can hold out before delivering. Every day that the babies stay inside is helpful at this gestational age. If either her health or the health of the babies were to change for the worse, then we would just go ahead and deliver. Focusing on the positive, we are still pregnant. As I said before, it's a marathon and an exercise in perseverance.

A Post From Susan

Hello everyone. Just want to first thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I believe it's the most that anyone could have done this week. If you had told me a week ago that I would be sitting in the hospital with an oxygen mask on my face, I would have said you were crazy....funny how things turn out. Tonight I am feeling much better. I am doing breathing treatments to strengthen my lungs and trying to be still as much as possible. Multiple nurses and doctors have told me they were sure these babies were coming earlier this week...but we are holding out! Both babies are very active on the monitors and I feeel confident that God will let me cook them a little longer! I just have to get healthy again. Please be patient as Greg and I try to respond to all of you. We wish there was more opportunity to address your questions and concerns, but right now this blog is the best way to stay updated. We are so blessed to have each of you out there and thinking of us. Please continue to do so! Love, Susan.

Friday afternoon.

Still trying to get the fluid out of Susan's lungs. It's a slow process. We had another specialist do a sonagram to check the amniotic fluid around the babies and it is okay (a little borderline). The babies are fine. They are trying to get Susan healthier so they can continue treatment for the contractions. We have had the most wonderful help here at the hospital (Baylor Grapevine). On top of that, the most recent nurse (her name is Robin), sat down and prayed with us (it was her idea!). That was so helpful and really made everyone reset and focus on what's important. We are truly blessed.

Friday morning.

Susan had some complications overnight. I believe she has pulmonary edema (which sounds like a fancy way of saying she has fluid in her lungs). They are treating the fluid, she is back in her old room so she can get 1 on 1 nurse care. Her spirits are still high and she and the babies are doing well. The medication to stop the contractions seems to be the culprit, so she is no longer on it. After the fluid has been treated then she will be put on a new medication for the contractions, hopefully towards the end of today. Please continue to pray.

Thursday afternoon

Susan enjoyed a pb & j sandwich. The specialist did the bi-weekly sonagram and the babies look good. If anyone has any tips on how a pregnant woman can get comfortable in a hospital bed then please feel free to share!!!

The funniest part of the day was when the nurse referred to Darren (one of Susan's brothers) as the "old guy".

New Room

Susan has been moved to antepartum room 211. All is well. Just resting.

Thusday Morning

A whole night without contractions. Absolutely amazing. After breakfast, Susan should get moved to an antepartum room, which will be her home while she continues strict bedrest. She continues to feel better everyday.

Also, the magnesium has worn off, so the room doesn't have to be a commercial grade freezer! =)

date night

Susan can finally have real food (and any food for that matter), so we decided to have date night in the hospital. I went and got togo food at one of our favorite restaurants, Uncle Julio's. Also, we got a movie from Netflix on our computer. Isn't technology great. All is well at the moment. The contractions have slowed to a crawl. Thank you Lord.

zzzzzzzzzz

For the first time in two days, Susan is resting peacefully during the middle of the day.

Oh ya, and for those of you who don't know, it's freezing in this room!!! Seriously, it's below 65 degrees in here all the time. =)

It's a marathon.

Everything is going well. Susan is being transitioned from magnesium to something else (I cannot pronounce it much less spell it). Next step is to get moved to an antepartum room where she will stay until delivery (hopefully not for several weeks). =)

She is still very tired and on constant bedrest. The babies continue to look great(on the monitor), which is very comforting.

For someone who is not supposed to be doing anything, it seems like something is always going on in her room. That is one reason we have limited visitors. Hopefully, soon we can start rotating friends and family in to see her on a more regular basis. We thank you for your patience.

We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, June 9th

Well, we are at the hospital and we are almost through the first goal of making it through 24 hours past the second round of steroids. The babies and Susan are fine. The doctors and nurses are doing all they can to keep her pregnant and keep the babies growing inside her versus coming into the world early. The doctor said everything looks as good as it can and we are just in wait and see mode.