Alright, so we know it's been a bit but give us some slack, we get pretty busy. We're still adjusting to life with two newborns and it is everything but boring around here. The girls are really responsive and noisy nowadays. Melia still hums when she eats and Elle is quite the chatterbug always talking and smiling even as she is eating. Elle's has such a cute grin and Melia always gives us her big toothless smile. Both just melt our hearts and are absolutely precious. Other than that we are going through the motions of raising our baby girls. Right now Melia is in the bathroom on her bouncy chair with the fan on, she loves the noise and we love her not crying...LOL! Who knew?

Elle is the first two pictures and Melia is the last two

Elle

Melia

Sleep...what's that?

Well this is long overdue but I am sure everyone understands. Life is all about Melia and Elle nowadays and actually a bit more about Elle. Never did we think that feeding would be such an issue or shall we say so difficult. Between visiting multiple doctors and occupational therapists visits we have finally realized that our little munchkin has severe reflux. We have managed to keep her feeding tube out for a few days at a time, but she quickly lets us know that she's just not ready to be a big girl yet. It is heart wrenching watching her scream from the pain when the reflux gets the best of her and that is when we know to just snuggle her and let her know we are there. Our last jaunt of a tubeless life was a few days ago and we were 'ordered' to put the tube back in due to her high risk of aspiration(when the food goes into her lungs). Again another major blow for mommy and daddy but time has let us realize that we'd rather have a tube in nose and be at home, than be in the hospital with pneumonia or worse(stopping to breathe). Reflux in a fullterm baby can be serious but is that much worse in a preemie...lucky us. So we may have a tube on our angels face for a while longer, but in the grand scheme of things.....who cares! Elle's last weigh in a few days ago put her a 6lbs 14oz!

Now let's talk about Melia she is our trooper and our feeding machine. She is so patient with us when we need to make her wait because her sister needs more attention. Our last weigh in with Melia was a week ago and she was 7lbs 10oz! It looks like poor Elle will be getting hand me downs from her big sister already.

Still alive...barely

Elle-left Melia-right
Melia-above
Elle-above
Melia-above
Elle-above

We have just finished week 2 at home and we're still at it. The girls are doing well, getting cuter and bigger. We're just still waiting for their hair to grow in from their NICU haircuts. Elle now weighs 6lbs and Melia is 6lbs 13oz. As you can see Elle is still sporting her feeding tube and is refusing to give it up. She teases us somedays by eating really well but that doesn't seem to last long. The doc and nurses tell us that this is really normal and quite common but it isn't making anyone feel better about it. It would be nice to feel normal, with no tubes or meds but it is our reality for the moment. We are getting a routine which consists of my mom helping out when Tige is at work. Her help and company has been unbelievable amazing and I can't imagine that I would have made it without her.

Two more of the Two

Home Sweet Home - Chez Melton

Melia & Elle being discharged

It's been 24 hrs. and we haven't seen the back of our eyelids for more than 3 of those hours... wouldn't want it any other way.

In our last journey home, we found we had some adjustments - mainly an issue of space, cupboard space for bottles, convenient spaces for face cloths and diapers, closet space for clothing, coffee table space for everything in between - you get the idea.

Melia was up most of the night packed full of charming and uncomfortable gas; Elle slept through the entire drama. The girls are already adapting to home well as mom and dad were an hour late with the 6:00 AM feeding!

The morning went well enough with a nurse stopping by to see Elle - protocol when a baby goes home with a nasal feeding tube. We will see her one or two more times over the next two weeks. The afternoon went much better with Yaya (gramma) Soula stopping by to allow us an hour's sleep. Chinese for dinner is the order of the day.

Not much new to report but thought we'd post some more pics. Melia as of today weighs 5lbs 14oz and Elle is 4lb 15oz. Melia is honing her feeding skills, while Elle is just getting it going...again! About 2 weeks ago Elle realized that she didn't really have to work to get fed so she stopped breastfeeding and bottle feeding completely which has really delayed us coming home. It's a good thing she's cute or she would have been in big trouble. Our due date is in 2 weeks and I'm sure we'll be in hospital until then. Our first night home can't come quick enough.

Melia is on the left & Elle is on the right

So another week and we're nearing the end - wherever that may be. Once neonatals reach 1800 grams, then they are of weight to move into a crib. Melia has progressed and Elle is waiting her turn out. As it happens, Elle needed some breathing assistance again - hopefully for the last time as we head into the final month of NICU care. I know we've said it before and we'll say it again, but "it will be much easier when...". Somehow, I'm thinking we'll be saying that a few more times, like "when they go to school" or "when they start paying for our retirement."

Gramma & grampa Melton (Linda & Ed) flew in from Atlanta, GA for a long visit weekend. Had it not been for visiting hours, I'm sur eon their way through Windsor to Kingsville, they would have had a peek. Saturday afternoon, they made it in bringing great gramma Doris along for her first viewing. Gramma made a wonderful, padded, play mat for the girls - nice for rolling around. The jury is still out on who the girls resemble most - only time will tell.

Busy, busy!

Well, part-time parenting is busier than one thinks. We spend 4 to 5 hours with them during the day and then a few more hours at night - it makes a long day, everyday. Bathing happens everyday here in Windsor - a full bath one day and a sponge bath the next. During the day is Melia's production when Tige is at work. In the evening is Elle where I get a hand by Tige. I suppose it is preparing me for when we get home and I will be by myself.

As for the girls, they are doing really well - growing too fast. If it were up to Tige, he'd keep them in this baby stage forever. Melia now weighs 4lbs 5oz and Elle 3lbs 9oz. I am also b-feeding the girls now which adds to the production. Melia is a pro at breastfeeding and is quite the chatty one - constantly grunting, making noises, and always talking to Tige when he is holding her. Surely she's working fast to seal the deal (inheritance if there is one)! Elle already has his heart too and works her angle quite differently - slow and steady.

The bigger they get, the harder it gets to be at the hospital. Strange because our difficulty before was getting back home in Windsor. As soon as "the hers's" start feeding on their own then it will be time for them to come home. Personally, time cannot go by fast enough. Elle is still gaining her strength back after her last infection, so she is a bit slower at feeding. My little girl is a fighter and, as sure as day, will shock us all at how fast she catches on.

Little Ms. Elle

Little Ms. Melia

Home sweet home!!

Hello everyone, I am happy to say that I am writing you from home. Melia was transferred to Met hospital here in Windsor on Thursday afternoon and Elle was sent yesterday morning. It all happened very fast on Thursday, I went in for my daily visit and when I got into the hospital parking lot I saw that I had a message waiting on my phone, it was the girls neonatologist telling me that Windsor had two beds open and that they were going to get them there before they were taken up again. Melia left one hour after I arrived and Elle was sent the next morning. Both girls liked the abulance ride and are doing really well.

It took me 3 hours to leave Ronnie's house. After 7 weeks of being away from home you tend to accumulate stuff and packing was definitely trying. When you leave RMH you also have to clean the room yourself so that added to everything else I had to do. It is so nice to be in my own home and with Tige. He gives me tremendous support even when I insist I am fine, he always knows when this all gets to me. We are now trying to feel out the NICU unit here, it is definitely different and will take some getting used to. As long as they have the girls best interest at heart we will all be just fine...LOL!

Well I am fighting off a fever now so I am going to get some rest.

TTYL
The Meltons

The girls & mom taking a cat nap

Well here we are two days shy of 5 weeks old and it's nothing but good times at St. Joe's ...I wish! We almost made it home to Met hospital in Windsor, but due to a baby boom overnight our beds were taken and our transfer was cancelled at the last minute. I was of course devastated and Tige took over the anger role, we are prepared to do what we have to but it was like taking candy away from a child. I was really nervous at first for the move but the more I thought about sleeping in my own bed and being with Tige all week long the more I wanted it to happen. Apparently the whole province had no beds available for preemie's so atleast we are secure here. My mom stayed with me last week while Tige was away which really helped keep me occupied until Tige came back. The Ronald McDonald house has some 'classy' folk staying here which is making the living situation pretty trying as well. It doesn't seem to be a relaxing place anymore, they've marked their territory all over the lounge and kitchen area and we don't have anywhere to relax anymore without getting irritated by them. Surprisingly there is only four of them but they have really disrupted the everything. Needless to say this makes the extra time here really hard to deal with.

Now let's talk about our baby girls. Elle weighs 2lbs 9oz and Melia weighs 3lbs 4oz and they are both doing relatively well. They are absolutely adorable and make us gush with love more and more everyday. Melia is really loving her soother which is great, it helps her strengthen her jaw which is preparing her for feeding. Hopefully in two weeks we can practice breastfeeding with her. Elle is starting to practice sucking as well but her mouth is so small still, it's so cute to see her try. We probably won't be heading to Windsor for atleast another week or so now due to some tricks that the girls are pulling. They apparently like it here, I just wish they would not misbehave in order for us to stay.

Melia smiling after bath time

Melia in her new outfit

Elle holding on to daddy's finger

Elle being adorable

This is my favourite picture, Melia got the world's worst haircut for an IV and even though I felt this way about it, she thought she let us know how she felt too!!

August 20th 2008

Hi Everyone, I must apologize for the delay in posting. The past several days have been full of some good and not so good events. The girls are keeping us on our toes, doing the whole two steps forward one step back deal. Machines come and go as they act up and and disappear as they get better. We definitely understand why they say that it is an emotional rollercoaster having babies in the NICU. As of right now they are doing great, Melia is having some stomach issues but we are thankful that's all it is. Melia now weighs 2lbs 14oz and Elle is officially a member of the Kilo Club. Oh they grow up so fast...LOL!! They are one month old today which marks me living in London now for 6 weeks! It's insane how long I've been here. I will try to not delay in posting again, hope everyone reading this is having a good day.

Aug 15th 2008

Elle wide awake at night again..our night owl!

Well Tige is back and all is well again. The girls kangarooed on daddy's chest yesterday for 3 hours and they were on their best behaviour. They usually misbehave while on mommy but they loved their snuggle time with Tige. We are giving them their baths daily now and are as involved as much as the nurses allow us to be. Melia pee'd and pooed on me a couple of days ago and I loved it. It's the little things that make us feel like normal parents. Elle as of a couple of days ago now weighs a whopping 2lbs and Melia as of yesterday weighs 2lbs 11oz. Melia gained 4oz in 2 days and we have another weigh in for Elle today so hopefully she will make the kilo club. When they make it to the kilo mark the NICU unit gives them a Kilo Club ribbon that hangs at the side of the isolette. I am sure it will be the first of many if they have any of our competative nature or shall I say my nature. All in all we have been doing well and keep praying for more good days ahead.

Melia after bath time with daddy

August 12th 2008

I apologize for the lack of updating, time definitely seems to fly by. As of tomorrow the girls will be 3 weeks old and are 31 weeks gestational age. Tige returned home Sunday night courtesy of Peter's Shuttle Service(aka my brother) so that he could start work on Monday. I'm not going to lie and say that's it's okay he is not here, it's pretty hard for me to take it all in on my own and I'm sure it's worse for him to not be here. I tell the girls that daddy loves them every time I talk to them as per Tige's request. Well enough about Tige and I, let's get to the good stuff...our angels. Melia is doing really well, it's funny she been full of piss and vinegar these past couple of days. She cries if the nurse is late feeding her and she let's you know when she's upset. She may not look like me but she is definitely getting my attitude and hunger temperament. Elle is Elle, winning everyone's hearts by just being adorable. They are being closely monitored everyday and not doing anything unusual or unexpected for their gestational age, which is good. Elle now weighs 1lb 14oz and Melia is 2lbs 6oz. I was told today that if they keep progressing this way they will be transferred to Met Hospital in Windsor. We have some serious mixed emotions with them being transferred, we are comfortable with the quality of care here in London but on the other hand it would be good to be home. We just hope that they don't rush us out too soon, we will stay as long as it takes and have told them this from the very beginning. Unfortunately, what we want and what really will happen are two different things. Above picture: Elle left, Melia right kangarooing on mommy's chest

This is Elle, look at how adorable she is!

My angel Melia.