A lot has changed since our last blog...

I had to go back and read my last blog to see where we left off! Looking back at those NICU pictures fills my heart with gratefulness. When I think of the nurses who took such great care of them and all of the mountains each one of them had to climb, my heart is full. A part of me misses them. I grew to love those ladies. Think about it, you leave your babies with them, trusting them completely, hoping they will love on your babies while you're away. I miss their smiling faces and warm hearts. As I sit here listening to the lulling sound of pumping, it makes me miss pumping in the little pump room at the hospital. I'd pump the time away while watching Hope Floats in 20 minute increments. Good thing that's such a good movie. I watched it two times... it was the only one in there! I am such a nostalgic person. I am always so glad to move on to new chapters in life, but my heart always hurts when I have to say goodbye to one I've already read. I guess I really cherish all the chapters in life, even the tough ones. Especially the tough ones, since those are the ones you learn the most from. Our NEW and EXCITING chapter is that the babies came home on May 31!!!!! (hence the lack of blogging lol!) Talk about my heart being full! We went from not being sure when they'd come home... to... bring up their car seats they're going home tomorrow!!! :) I remember sitting in the NICU watching other babies get to go home.  A few private tears were shed feeling happy for them, but also sad that it wasn't us. There was another set of twins that were with Meagan and Cohen. They were still there when we left. My heart hurt knowing that that Mama was probably feeling the same way I did, yearning for their turn to be sent home too. I hope they are growing strong and are enjoying being home too by now.  Here are a few pictures of their last days at Katy Memorial Hermann. Thank you Usha, Shree, Diane, Vicki, Carolyn, Amber and Seri (and all the others) for loving our babies for us and taking such good care of them! We are forever grateful, thank you for a making a tough chapter bearable for us! 

Some of our favorite nurses: 

Diane and Vickie & Usha and Mildred

 Our thank you gift for our wonderful nurses! Thanks for helping with the idea Candace & for the visit!

 A little fun with daddy and loving from momma while we wait for our discharge paperwork. 

 All buckled and ready to go!! Thanks Cheyenne for making our car seat straps, we'll grow into them!

Our last time in the NICU, we'll come back and visit one day <3

Meet Cohen and Meagan Hoppe

Born on May 9th, 2012

(33 weeks 5 days)

Cohen Charles Hoppe was born at 1:06 pm, weighing in at 4lbs.1oz, 16 3/4 inches long. 

Meagan Grace Hoppe was born at 1:07pm, weighing in at 3lbs.11 oz, 16 1/2 inches long. 

Our Health Update

Being born premie both babies were sent right away to the level 2 NICU. Everything they are experiencing is "normal" for being born at their gestational time. 

Cohen has been working on his digestion system. At the beginning Cohen would have up to 10 ml of residual after each feedings, as of yesterday he only had 1 and 1/2 ml. He is making progress and is tolerating his food much better now. He also spent a day on a bili light for jaundice. 

Meagan has been working on strengthening her respiratory system. She is on oxygen and Vaportherm (humidifier/oxygen). At the beginning she was at a pressure of 6 and a level 40 flow. Last night when we left the nurse said if she continued to do as well as she has been she'd be moving her pressure down to 3 and her flow is at a 21 (the lowest setting)! They are keeping her on this low setting to help her build up strength, so she can breath more easily. 

Some of our important events:

May 10- We got to hold you Cohen! 

May 11- Mommy's first diaper change and Kangaroo Care with Cohen!

May 12- Daddy's 30th Birthday! He got to do Kangaroo Care with Cohen! Daddy changed Meagan's diaper! Discharged from the hospital around 9:30. Mommy and Daddy were glad to be sleeping in their own bed but cried the whole way home because we had to leave you. 

May 13- Mommy's First Mother's Day! You both were the best gifts in the world! It was a busy day in the NICU so we only got to spend a few minutes with you today. 

May 14- Daddy got to hold Meagan for the first time and did Kangaroo Care for over an hour, he also got to change your diaper again! Mommy got to try breastfeeding with Cohen and also did Kangaroo Care.  I read you our first book, Green Eggs and Ham until you fell asleep. Mommy also got to take your temperature and change your diaper!