A blessing in disguise...

Well this being a mom stuff just keeps getting better the more I get to interact and do with my sweet little ones! Last night was an amazing experience. I got to breastfeed both babies (not at the same time yet) and I can't explain the feeling of closeness I felt with each one of them. Today I got to breastfeed them both tandem style (both at the same time!) Really neat experience! I guess one "good" thing about them being in the NICU is that I get "training" lol! I am so thankful that they have showed us how to check their temperature and hold their little arm down, how to bottle feed and hold them with your finger under their little chin to help them get a better grip, how to put a clean diaper under the old one before you change it, (this has saved some linens a few times already let me tell ya!), how to make sure they get a good latch, how to swaddle them up like a burrito... all of this in small doses but still I love not feeling clueless and these nurses have really helped ease me into motherhood.

Health Update

We are gaining weight! Yesterday Meagan was 3lbs, 13oz and Cohen was 4lbs. 4oz! Today Meagan was still at 3.13 and Cohen went down to 4.3. Still good though. They are up to 3 bottle feeds and one breastfeed per day. Cohen's little bottom looks a lot better. 

We meet again! And Our First Family of 4 Picture! 

Sweet Sleeping Meagan! 

(She does this a lot)

Daddy Time! 

Back to Birth Weight!!!!!!

Sorry it's been a few days since my last post, I've been one busy mama! I am looking forward to Wednesday when I get my driving privileges back and can start doing more things around the house to prepare for their homecoming (which is yet to be determined, probably a few weeks). Still monitoring my blood pressure. I have good news... I have my ankles back! So long kankles and sausage toes!! Enough about me, let's talk babies!

Health Update

Meagan is completely off oxygen and is breathing great on her own and has been since Wednesday!!!!Both babies are now getting 2 bottles a day and are getting weened off of their feeding tubes! They are supposed to be able to finish a bottle within 30 minutes. Meagan did it 11 minutes last night! She has been spitting up a bit but, when I talked to her nurse this evening she hadn't had any spit  up. Cohen seems to be tolerating his feedings too. He has a pretty severe diaper rash that is being treated with  a prescription ointment. Ouch! Both babies are back to their birth weights: Cohen 4lbs 1oz, Meagan 3lbs 11oz!!!!! Both babies need to be able to gain weight, independently feed without tube while showing no strain or saturation of breathing or decrease in pulse. Since they only have a feeding tube and monitors, they get to wear clothes now. :) Here's some pics from the past few days.
(P.S. you can click on the picture to enlarge)

Meagan and Cohen 

 We love Grandma Time!!

Thanks Aunt Cheyenne for bringing Mommy for a late night milk run and snuggle! 

Check out our cool clothes! 

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!