Our daily routine

We have developed somewhat of a routine these days.  Most days start around 5:45AM.  We both take showers and I pump before heading to the hospital.  The twins first feeding is at 7:30AM and Ryan likes to see them before heading to work and help out with that first feeding.  I stay until about 3PM most days.  I leave and try to get a few things done or rest before we come back together at night around 6 and we try to make ourselves leave before 9PM so we can get some rest before doing it all over again the next day.

When we enter the NICU we have to basically scrub in.  Preemies are at a very high risk of sickness and infection due to their undeveloped/weak immune system so we must leave all the germs outside!

We then talk to the nurse about how the twins did overnight.  A team of doctors, nurses and staff make rounds between 8-9AM and that gives me a chance to hear how they did over the past 24 hours and ask questions.  Then we start their 3 hour routine.  We wake them up, take their temperature, change their diaper and clothes if needed.  The nurse listens to their heart and measures their belly.

Then we feed them.  We first try to feed them with a bottle.  If they don't finish the entire bottle, they are given the rest of the "meal" through their feeding tubes.  We are hoping (and praying VERY hard) that they soon are able to drink full bottles!!!

The only time we really get to hold and love on them is right after they eat.  Its my favorite time of the day:)

Before the afternoon feeding they get baths.

They get weighed.

Then we rub lotion on them and get them dressed.

Between their feedings I pump and eat.  The NICU has pump rooms equipped with pumps, storage containers and a tv.

The twins also have daily appointments....we see physical therapists, speech therapists (this is who evaluates their eating) doctors who do a daily check up and occasionally get testing done.  They are also constantly monitored...

Time goes by really fast when we are there and it is hard to leave everyday.  Although we are so appreciative for all the nurses and staff that have taken such good care of our little ones, we are just so eager to take them home and just be a normal family.