June 14, 2010:
35 weeks, 3 days.

Our boys are BOTH in cribs(as of today)! How exciting! Yes, I did take pictures of this monumental event, but as I've been swamped tonight with tasks and chores, I've neglected to upload.

Ryan and Nathan have surely come a long way. Ryan is holding strong at 5#1oz and Nathan 4#9oz. Ryan knows when he is hungry and demands food. I have to internally jump with joy when I hear his cry. They have been with us for 6 weeks now and cried so little--mainly because of prematurity and because they do not want them to cry and burn calories. I am happy for a cry! He has been feeding quite well bottle and breast. His monitor (heart and breathing) may soon go too as he has been very stable. I was sitting him up to burp the other day (head flexed forward with his chin on chest) and he lifted his head up and around. I was such a proud momma! I know these minor minor details are so trivial for the mom with the "normal" baby--but these are big steps for our boys.

Nathan remains several days (Kris has it calculated to a week) behind Ryan. He will breast/bottlefeed on occasion, but the real work is understanding his respiratory needs in cueing in when he needs a break. As he has been transitioning to a crib and s-l-o-w-l-y weaning down on the oxygen, they do not want him stressed with multiple feedings. He is fed by bottle/breast once a shift (or every 8-12 hours for the non nursing people in the audience). It is becoming more of a reality that he will come home with oxygen. 36 weeks is the breaking point for determining this we are told. He seems to have his own personality in being the louder and more vocal of the two when he wants/does not want something. Otherwise, he is content sleeping--so leave him alone!

During this 35 week period, the boys are both grunting and groaning. They constantly make these "ugh" sounds. We are told it's a part of their neurological development at this point--totally normal! They are also sooo curious always looking and around and now--at faces. They went through this phase of averting their gaze at those holding or interacting. Now, they slowly turn their eyes over and want to see who you are! I love it.

I don't remember if I told you in the last post, but Ryan has this mobile with wild animals and this music station that can play jungle noises, mozart, beethoven, etc. His favorite so far is the jungle noises. When he starts to fuss (waiting for brother Nathan to hurry up and finish hogging mom with feeding) he listens to it and will turn his head over and soothed. Amazing how such a small thing is effective, huh?

Our little preemies are growing up and out--their preemie clothes are news of yesterday. Those knitted caps they have worn since birth are only fitting half of their heads these days. We are entering 0-3 mos clothing, yeah.

As for me, I had my 6 week check up today clearing me to resume all normal activities. That is a sigh of relief as I can't wait to run, bike, etc. It's been soooo long as I was on bedrest and had restrictions even earlier on to walking only. I can definitely say I am deconditioned! No worries, with all my hospital time (between Meriter and the VA), I've made a rule that I have to do the stairs--no elevators (unless I'm in high heels or carrying a lot of heavy stuff--which I guess my pump and work crap would qualify, but I bend the rules on that one). Up and down 5, 6, 7 flights at a time. I figure it should get me buns of steel not too long from now after all that icecream, cheese, pizza, burgers, and other terrible things I consumed throughout the pregnancy.
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The days seem to fly by with nothing but busy----ness. I've gone into nesting mode here on the home front in anticipation for little Ryan this week. I want to make sure that he has an easy transition home and I'm ready. More than ever, I feel the time clock a ticking as simple trips to the grocery store, Target, or even a drink at the bar will become nonexistent. Instead, we will get diaper bags, carseats, carriers, strollers, and a whole slew of luggage to haul to the simplest destinations. How exciting!