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