Seven Weeks Old Today

Collins and Claire are doing good.  As of early this morning, they both bought us another five days in Special Care by having "Bradys".  They have to go five consecutive days without a "Brady" before they will let them go home.   We were afraid yesterday that he might end up going home before Claire since he had not had any bradys!  Claire had her "Brady" first yesterday and then he ended up having one at midnight last night.  Basically, he has caught up with sister. He has also graduated to all eight feeds and no longer has his feeding tube.  The only reason we are having to stay at this point is because of the "Bradys."  As they get older and build stamina when eating the "Bradys" should cease. 

"Brady Episode"

Claire going home has been delayed five more days due to a "Sleep Brady" that happened yesterday morning.  Although we would rather Claire not to have "Bradys" we are glad that she is not going home just yet so she can stay with brother.  She is now taking all eight feedings via bottle or nursing and no longer has her feeding tube.  Claire looks and acts like a full term baby weighing in at 6lbs. 10.6oz.  She is such Miss Personality!

Collins has rallied back from NICU!  His heart and respiratory rate have leveled off...except for when he gets upset!  He tends to set the monitors off when he's fidgeting around.  He likes for us to know he's here!  His feedings were increased this morning to six via bottle or nursing, while the other two are via feeding tube. Collins lost a few ounces once he returned to Special Care due to all the IV fluids they were pumping to him...a bit puffy he was! Therefore, he now weighs 5lbs 3.6oz.  He is slowly but surely catching up with sister! 

Both are beginning to behave more like full term babies.  They are staying awake more during the day after their feedings and much more alert.  Luckily, their day and night schedule is to our liking.  The nurses do a great job helping us with their schedules...and i must add the nurses are wonderful! 

Needless to say, we have not a clue when we will be going home but we are hoping they both will be home by the first of October.

Six Weeks Old Today

Sunday, September 19, six weeks old.  Claire weighs 6lbs 3.6oz and is up to five out of eight feedings (58-60mL by bottle or nursing) a day.  Her last "Brady" was this past Thursday night.  Doctors are talking like she may go home by the end of the week. 
Collins weighs 5lbs 6.8oz and is back to three feedings (35mLby bottle or nursing) a day.  He is still in the NICU but doctors say if all goes well tonight he could be back to Special Care with his sister tomorrow. His HR and Respiratory rate are still running high occasionally but seem to be better. 

I'm full, no more mommy!

NICU

Update

Collins started his bottle feedings back yesterday after going 7 days with nothing but IV fluids.  He is up to 10 mL of milk today and seems to be handling the feeds quite well.  He is now waking up about 30 min before feeding time rooting around waiting to be fed.  Collins did give us a scare this morning...his heart rate and respiration rate was running a little high which could be an indication of infection.  The doctors ordered tests and they all came back negative.  They said all they can do is to continue to monitor his heart and respiration rates closely since all tests are negative.  It's day to day with "Little Man." 

Now Claire...she is doing great!  We call her our "Little Pigglet."  She loves to eat and now weighs 5lbs 15oz.  She nurses three times a day, bottle feeds once a day, and the other four feedings are by tube.  She is slowly working her way up to the eight feedings required to leave.  Course we aren't in any hurry to leave since Collins won't be going home anytime soon. 

We stay busy going back-n-forth between special care and NICU.  They both feed every 3-hours.  Collins feeds 9:00, 12:00, 3:00...and Claire 8:00, 11:00, 2:00...so as you can see we spend most of our time feeding kiddos!  They are precious and we find ourselves just gazing at them!

Celebrating Dads Birthday

Yesterday, September 15, we celebrated Clint's 38th Birthday!  Clint spent his day going between Special Care feeding Claire and NICU to feed Collins.

Proud Dad!

Dad and Claire

Sunday Afternoon Football

It's Football Season!

Dad and Evie Claire hanging out watching Sunday afternoon football!

Collins Returns to NICU

Wednesday, September 8, at 6:00pm Collins McClain gave mommy a big scare during the Dallas Tornado.  An hour and a half before normal feeding time Collins was setting off the monitors displaying signs of distress.  I went to check on him and could smell why he might be a little distressed.  As I began changing his diaper i noticed blood in his stool.  Needless to say, Mommy began to panic!  I immediately went to find the nurse.  They were out in the hallways planning for Code Black, tornado, move babies to hallway.   I'm thinking who cares about tornado my little man is bleeding.  The nurse responded quickly and called the doctor.  Within 10 min they were moving him back to NICU.  His symptoms indicated he might have what they call NEC, an intestinal infection, which had the potential to be very serious.

Collins 4 Weeks Old

As of today, Sunday, September 12, Collins is doing great.  All tests have come back negative for infection but they still treat him as though he had NEC.  They have been administering antibiotics and halted all feedings.  The poor little guy hasn't had food since Wednesday.  And believe me he is ready to eat!  Every time he is held he is rooting around looking for food and all we can do is give him his pacifier.  They assure me he is fine without eating.  He's receiving his nutrition thru IV fluids.  Collins will be in NICU for at least 10 days.  On day 7, Wednesday, September 15, they will start him on his feeds again.

Praise God for looking out for our "Little Man."

Graduated to Special Care Unit

As of Thursday, August 26, Collins and Claire graduated to the Special Care Unit, designed for preemies, at Presby located on the 6th floor of the Jackson Building. This is considered a step above the NICU and focuses on preparing the family and babies to go home. The care in the unit centers on helping babies to learn to feed and outgrow what are referred to as “BRADY’s”. BRADY’s are sleep apnea in premature babies. Premature babies tend to stop or forget to breathe. They average about 5 a day but should begin to outgrow them quickly. Before going home, Collins and Claire will have to go 5 days without having a BRADY. They will also have to complete 8 full feedings on their own in a 24 hour period of time. They are currently at 2-3 feedings a day.

Collins and Claire - One Month Old!

Our daily routine revolves around Collins’ and Claire’s 3-hour feeding schedule and kangaroo holding time. We have a large, private twin-room to accommodate our lengthy stay. There is little or no down-time, and the day seems to pass quickly. They both already have quite the personalities. Miss Claire is our feisty, little one who knows when it is feeding time. She wakes up grunting and rooting around for her hands cueing dinner time. Collins on the other hand is more laid back, looking wide-eyed and analyzing the world around him. He seems to be much more patient than sister. Can you guess who takes after whom??? We stare at them daily with amazement and thankfulness. We are so blessed that GOD has given them to us and has watched over them from day one.

Introducing Collins and Claire Roddy

10 Days Old-First time to hold at the same time.

Collins

Claire

On Sunday, August 8 at 9:55 and 9:57 AM respectively, Evelyn Claire (3 lbs. 13 oz., 16 in.) and Collins McClain (2lbs. 11 oz., 15 ½ in.) joined the world at 31 and a half weeks. Both have transitioned very well over the past month, and the doctors have been pleased with their daily progress.