Monday, January 26, 2009

3 weeks

Well it has been 3 weeks since I had the girls! I hope the rest of our time in the NICU goes by this fast. Iris has grown about an inch and put on a whole pound (well almost, 2 ounces shy). She has started having issues with acid reflux. After she eats she has an episode of bradicardia, turns blue but recovers. The reflux coming up her throat slows her heart rate down for a moment and she holds her breath. A few moments rubbing her feet or back and she turns pink again. Scary as hell, but just as long as she is quick to recover I can handle it. She keeps her eyes open for longer periods now and cries a little more. It's nice to see her acting like a baby :)

I am thankful for every day that I get to spend with Iris. She is so beautful! I'll post pics when she gets the feeding tube out and is off the nasal cannula.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Update

I just want to thank everyone for their sympathy. I also want to apologize to every one for not answering my phone. I will get back in contact with everyone as soon as I can handle it. I know many people have been concerned about us. This has been a rough time for our family. The hardest thing (that I didn't expect) is mourning Maya, then switching gears and celebrating Iris and her milestones. It's exhausting.

On Saturday the 17th Dustin and I decided to take Maya off her support and let her pass. I will spare every one the details of holding Maya and watching her take her last breath. It is nothing I would wish on anyone. Her Dr. was supportive in our decision. She said if Maya were her child she would do the same thing. Maya tolerated pneumonia, kidney disease. Then from all the fluid and pneumonia she ended up getting lung disease and a large cyst in her lung.

I have no more tears left to cry. My eyes are raw from rubbing them and my throat is sore.

The NICU here is set up in 3 levels...Level 3 is for the ones that need to most support, level 1 is for the ones getting ready to go home. Iris will be moved up to level 2 either tomorrow or the day after. She is growing and acting more and more like a baby. She cries when mommy puts her cold hands on her or plays with her feet. I love it! Iris is my reason for getting up and being strong. We will definately miss Maya and celebrate her short life.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Babies

Unfortunately we are going to lose baby Maya. This is why no one has heard from me in a while. She was born with diseased kidneys. She was transferred to UTMB in Galveston. We are very sad about Maya, she is so beautiful. We knew from the day she was born she wasn't going to make it very long. They can keep her on life support for a while but she is very very sick. The drs. said she wouldn't have made it to full term. We are so happy we got to meet her.
Iris is doing very well. She is being fed and breathing on her own with minimum supports. She is beautiful and looks just like her daddy! She has a spirit that seems to tell us she will do enough living for the both of them. Fingers crossed that Iris's time here is uneventful and speedy!

We love both of our girls very much!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Iris and Maya are here!!

Iris and Maya are here!! Monday, January 5th at 4:45 and 4:46 they were born. They are just so beautiful. Dustin and I (and grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles) are just so proud of them. When they get unhooked from all the machines we will post pictures! Right now it's hard to see past all that and see how pretty they are.

Iris came first, crying instantly. She has been holding about as steady as can be expected for being born at 29 weeks. She has been intibated, and slowly being weened off that.

Then came Maya. She didn't cry right away, but was breathing on her own for a while longer than Iris. She has had a few ups and downs. She still needs a little more assistance breathing and is having a harder time keeping her blood pressure up. All things that are to be expected from preemies. Maya is going to give the nurses hell!

To see them in person is amazing. Dustin and I are ready to take them home now. Unfortunately it's going to be a rollarcoaster next two and a half months! For now I am packing up my room. Tomorrow I should be able to go home for the first time in over a month.