05-18-10

I thought that if I went a night and didn't hold the girls that I would be a terrible Mom. Now that the Nurse Practitioner ordered Kangaroo Care everyday...we haven't missed a day. My sleeping schedule over the last month has been weak. We get home from the hospital around midnight. I will pump and then do a chore and then to bed. I will wake up at 3:30am and pump and then again at 6:00am. After that I get a nap in til 7:00am and then rise and get ready for work.

Yesterday, I asked Richard if we could just visit and skip the holding. I was desperate for some sleep. I knew I had to get some sleep when I was dozing off while a customer was giving me their order via phone. So we visited for a moment before shift change and picked up Toby from Grandma's house and went home for a little rest. I got two hours extra of sleep last night. The guys at work thought I raided the chocolate. They even noticed the extra energy. I have to quit walking around here like a zombie. I need to rest before those angels come home. I believe I hit rock bottom yesterday and I realized that I was not superwoman. I called the nurse last night and she was glad to hear we weren't holding last night. She was concerned with us keeping late hours. I am sure it was a dead giveaway when I would fall asleep while holding the babies.

A preview for some news I have about the NICU: In NICU, there are three nurseries. You have A, B and C nursery. Nursery A and B are for the smaller babies that require more attention. After the babies are ready, they are moved to C nursery. Nursery C is like a housing for babies before they go home. They are not hooked up to moniters and do not require 24/7 attention. Well, Richard and I walked in B nursery yesterday and our little squirts were not in their usual spots. Apparently we had a strange look on our face, a nurse asked us if we needed anything. Richard said, "Yea, our babies." She had to find them. They were moved to Nursery C on the other side of the NICU. Don't get your hopes up...they are still in their warm insulet beds. They are on the side of C that is still monitored. I don't like this at all. I want them back to the B nursery where I feel comfortable about the monitoring. In C nursery, a Respiratory Therapist doesn't sit with the nurses and monitor babies. To add to my frustrations, there is a baby between the girls. Since day one, their beds have been together. They haven't been separated like this since birth. Something has to give here!!!!

I just want their beds back together and back in a nursery that is better monitored. They have stated for the last week that if they run out of room in the A or B nursery, that Quinn and Brooklyn are the better ones to be moved. In their language, that is a compliment. The girls are doing so good they CAN be moved. But the one thing that stopped them was Brooklyn's size. They said that she is just too small. But come to find out when push comes to shove...the girls were moved.

I found out today that their feeding was increased so they are now feeding every 4 hours. When I asked the times, in my head I wanted them to move it up an hour so sleep would be easier to have at night. Turns out they moved the feed time to 9:30pm. Before the feeding times were 3,6,9 and 12. We can only hold at feed times. They do this because they are already in their box and checking temps and changing diapers. So the transfer from the box to us is all in the same time. It is so they are not disturbed as much throughout the day. They need beds for parents at the hospital. So we can sleep next to the girls.

People are telling me that I need to get used to no sleep because when they come home I won't get any. I honestly think it would be better. When they are home, I won't be on the road all the time. I can handle the lack of energy as long as I am not driving all over God's creation to see my babies. Oh...that glorious day is coming soon.

Sorry, I didn't have a ton of updates on the girls today. They are just sitting there growing. They have the occassional drop in heartrate but they have been self recovered. They really are doing good. As long an infection doesn't show its ugly face, the due date is looking like a promise date! We will have those girls home before we know it.

The hospital bills are continuing to roll in! Got one from the hospital yesterday, apparently they are charging me $88.00 for "SELF ADMIN MEDS." Correct me if I am wrong, but are they seriously charging me for taking my own vitamins. These phone calls are going to be so much fun. Wish me luck!