7/31/98 - 8/2/98
We entered our first full weekend with enthusiasm, hoping to help Lisa enough so she can make it through the week, and also hoping to get some extra sleep. The results would show that we were partially successful.
I was there to help Lisa with each feeding, so instead of taking almost two hours to get them fed (which leaves two hours until the next feeding starts) it only took an hour. That let us get back to bed quicker. Also I didnt have to go to work so I got an extra period of sleep. As for naps for us, it just doesn't happen right now.
Lisa did use the time available because I was there to get out of the house and pick up somethings at the store. Good for us and good for her.
On Saturday night the kids both slept an extra hour before between feedings. That was an interesting development. It tempted us to try to keep doing that, but we postponed it do that Lindsey would get as much as she could get. To that end, she wasn't continuing to increase her formula amount. We put three ounces in the bottle but she because she had taken that much, but she only took 1-1.5 ounces for most of her feedings before falling asleep and not showing interest in more. Lisa tried a different nipple on the bottle, thinner and softer. Well, what a difference that made, Lindsey ate faster, more and burped better (this is the only acceptable time for young ladies to burp!) and consequently slept better.
Kristoffer did well this weekend. We also gave him the thinner nipple and he ate easier, but his suction is stronger and he collapes it easier and more frequently. He regularly takes more than 4 ounces and now takes it faster too. Thats good, that way we can be back to bed quicker!
He had some periods of fidgeting that were a mystery. He cried at the same time on Saturday and Sunday. I checked all the fluids and under the hood and he seemed fine. He stoped when I held him, but thats a bad habit to start.
They are 7 weeks today. Time flies.

7/30/98
Day Two for Lisa went better. Feeding the kids takes about two hours total and then its only two hours until they eat again. This might change soon, Lindsey took 3+ ozs yesterday for the first time and took more than two all day and night. That will help her go a little longer between feedings. Fer instance, last night they actually went another 15 minutes before getting cranky. Kristoffer could have gone longer if we let him, but we didnt let him. Maybe this weekend we will see what he can do.
Kristoffer looks so big, I know he is regular baby size, but he is 2+ lbs bigger than when we first met him. He doesnt look like the same baby in his hospital pictures! His eyes still remain blue and he has stopped losing hair. So at this point, he needs a hair cut!
Lindsey hasnt changed much though she is also 2+lbs more than when she was born. She Its great that her feedings (and subsequent burpings) are getting easier for her and for us.

7/29/98
It was a tough day for Lisa, on her own for the first time trying to feed two kids. She gets extra credit from me for hanging in there. She did get them fed but it wasn't easy.
Lindsey eats slower and not as much as Kristoffer . She gets 3 oz but doesn't eat 3, she takes 1-2 usually, but yesterday for the first time she ate over 2 ozs. He has eaten 4 ozs so he gets 5 in the bottle (this morning at 4am he took almost 5!) so if he wants more he can have it.
For now its the vocal infant first, we are trying getting Lindsey first though, since she is newer at this then Kristoffer. He doesnt seem to mind and actually slept a little longer this morning.
Other than the feedings, everything else is fine. They sleep most of the time so there isn't a lot of conversation around the house yet.
Thanks for stopping by!

Summary of 7/24/98 thru 7/28/98
You can thank AOL for the lack of recent updates.
Kristoffer Has had a remarkable five days. He is eating 4 ounces at almost every feeding now and usually does the first two quickly. He is really an easy going kid and lets us know when something is bothering him, but usually it takes us awhile and much crankiness to figure it out. Once he is all squared away, he is the contented baby again.
He had an eye Dr appointment on the 28th (One of the reasons Daddy had the day off) and the Dr said his eyes are fine and fully developed dont bring him back for a year.
He has grown, and he fits into some of his clothes much better now. His eyes seem to be getting lighter blue and effective 7/26 he will look you right in the eye. Experts have said that when babies are stressed they will not look directly into your eyes, its too much stimulation (dont stop me if I am repeating myself) so that would explain why he was doing that. But on that day, he looked me right in the eye and hasnt stopped yet.

Lindsey : First things first - Lindsey came home on 7/26/98 (another reason I took the time off) Her arrival coincided with the exact time her brother first looked into my eyes (things that make you go hmmmmmmm). First let me discuss the tension behind her release.
As you all have read Lindsey was a steady gainer in the weight department. When I went to see her on Friday the 24th, she had only gained 15 gms. Now that was kind of alarming to me. But they assured me it was OK and talk still circulated of her going home Sunday the 26th.
Lisa went there on Saturday, she had gained only 10 gms! Now there was doubt that she would be allowed home. They wanted her at 1850 gms and she was only at 1835. She should have been way past that if she had continued the weight gain she was accustomed to.
On Sunday morning we did not know if she would be coming home. When we called to find out, they said it was OK, she could go home, we were VERY happy to hear that. It seems some caring person that shall remain nameless weighed her later after another feeding and that was the weight they went by. It was 1855 gms.
The theories that have been floating around among conspirists are that they put her on regular formula and took her off the high calorie formula. Why this would happen before she made the weight is beyond me.
BUT all that aside, she is home and we are happy. Its really great not to have one of us running out to the hospital. Bath time is an adventure that will only get even more adventurous in the future.
Feeding time! God bless the inventors of ready made formula! Lisa knew she would be handling this on her own when I went back to work. Two hungry babies, wow. She practiced yesterday and did a great job and also did it again last night so poor wiped out me could get some extra sleep. Again she did a wonderful job, these kids and I are very lucky to have her.
Lindsey needs some more developement in the eye department, and she will be going back in two weeks for another check. The Dr sees things developing normally and that in two weeks she will be completely done and fine.
She seems to like being in her room and looking at all the things around the house. We both like letting her take a look at things like pictures, patterns and the dogs of course!

As of 10:00 pm 7/23/98
Kristoffer had a great day doing his baby stuff. He had a nice bath and hung out with dad for the night. Later though he was fidgeting and crying a little, that was after 1:00 am. You cant have a perfect night all the time so he was due for a bad night. Lets just hope all involved can take a nap today.

Lindsey Was glad her mom was there last night. Again though, she was crying during her bath which is NOT like her. The nurses came over again wondering what it was that was making her cry. This is getting a little concerning. My guess is since she gets more food and all bottles, she isnt handling any gas well. But thats just a guess.
Her weight was 3 lbs 15oz, 2 pounds more than her birth weight! Tonight when I get there and weigh her, she will probably be over 4 lbs.
No official word about when she is going home, but it has to be soon. She is scheduled to have her pictures taken Saturday and will have her little pink star outfit on. She looks stunning in that.

As of 10:00 pm 7/22/98
Kristoffer being his usual self. A good boy that does his job of eating sleeping and pooping. Which he did in his bath last night for his mom(HAHAHAHA).
Its really amazing to see how much bigger he has gotten (I know, we need some pics on here, well I'm working on it!) for instance, when we brought him home, he ws a little thing in the car seat even with the pad that holds his head from flopping over. Now his head fills that pad and he sits up really well. I guess thats what is supposed to happen though!

Lindsey 1750! 3 lbs 14ozs. One more ounce and she is 2 pounds more then when she was born.
Last night when I got there she was bundled up in a banket, with a t-shirt and an outfit on, plus a hat. I couldnt imagine that it would get that cold in there. I took her temperature and it was 99.2! What are they doing trying to cook her!? I got her unbundled for her bath and weight and I guess she didnt like it and was getting cold because she started to cry. This was a first, she never cries! Even the nurses stopped what they were doing and asked "Is that Lindsey???" and came over to see what was wrong.
Once the tasks were completed and she was dressed again (no t-shirt, no hat, just an outfit) she settle down and was her usual calm self.
She ate and you could tell her nose was stuffy, that caused her to cry a little more later too. She got her nose cleaned out and felt a little better.
She spit up for the first time too. My fault I think, I probably should have burped her.
All in all it was a rough evening for her. Although she did spend time staring at me and around the room like she usually does.

As of 10:00 pm 7/21/98
Kristoffer: The perfect kid, usually pretty happy. Seems to stay awake longer during the day and evening, good thing its not in the middle of the night.
He is eating pretty well, usually 3 ozs and sometimes 4. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz opps..sorry, dozed off for a second.

Lindsey is 1700 gms (3lbs 12ozs). An ounce a day is fine. Hopefully we will get the word on this weekend with her. Lisa saw Dr A last night and he said in 5 or 6 days. But I have seen 1900gm and less maybes shown the door and Lindsey is doing great so I dont see a problem. She is also on her "eat as much as she wants" schedule. So she will gain more in the next few days then she has been.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz opps..sorry, dozed off for a second.

As of 10:00 pm 7/20/98
Kristoffer is doing great! The feeding schedule is working out great and things are moving along well. Grandma came to visit yesterday to get a baby refresher course. She will be watching him when we go pick up Lindsey. She was amazed how much bigger he is now and thought his noises were really cute.

Lindsey is doing great. Once again, bright eyeed and waiting for me last night. Dr A called yesterday to say she was doing great and said she will probably go home in another 5 days!!
That was great to hear. It will be great to get her home and start the real routine.
She gained really well, up to 1675 (3lbs 11oz), and ate A LOT last night. The nurses are putting in extra (wink wink) for "spillage" since she always seems to want more when she finishes the alotted 35 cc. Dr A said she will be on unlimited as of 7/21, but I think she has been getting almost that for a couple days anyway. I guess we have to wait until Thursday or Friday before they tell us for sure that she is going home.

As of 10:00 pm 7/19/98
Kristoffer : Things got much better all around during the day. We got him back to his four hour feeding. He just about makes that. Giving him his bath, I was trying to wash his hands and he didnt want me too. He has gotten so strong, he was clamping his hands tight.
He seems to like his bath now, or at least accepts the inevitablility of it. Doesnt cry, fidgets and fusses when he gets cold, but we all do that anyway.

Lindsey : Was doing great, hanging out and waiting for her mother when she got there. Another quiet night in the unit. She got her bath and weighed, she is now up to 1640 (3lbs 10 ozs). She loves being dressed all the time and feeling cozy in her clothes and blankets.

As of 10:00 pm 7/18/98
Kristoffer taught us a valuable lesson Saturday. He did great all day with the 4 hour feeding stuff. Until his 1:00am feeding. He finished his 3 ozs and could have went for more, and I should have given it to him. He was done and we were in bed by 2:00am. He wasnt in a sleeping mood and was actually hungry. He wasnt due for the next bottle until 5 am and by three the tears started, mine not his. By 3:30 I had to give him something to eat. After he ate, he fell asleep.
On the last feeding before YOUR bedtime prospective parents, give them all they want.
Aside from that, he is doing great.

Lindsey : I almost cried when I saw her in her little bassinette (sp?). She is awake at 8 when we get there now like she knows the routine.
She was all bright eyed and waiting and looked so happy to be outta that thing. The only thing she has hooled up to her anymore is the monitor for heart rate and breathing. No more temperature things. That makes it even easier to move her around, hold her, bathe her.
She spent the night after eating hanging out with Dad, resting on his chest watching everyone. It was a quiet night in the unit and we listened to the "Phantom of the Opera" and hung out. She slept and woke up and slept. Very nice and relaxing for the both of us.
Her weight was 1595 gms (3lbs 8 ozs) and she is eating 35cc.

As of 10:00 pm 7/17/98
Kristoffer did much better on Friday and over night. We started him on feedings every 4 hours instead of 3ish. That increased his appetite and gave us a little longer to sleep. He started taking 3 ozs each time instead of 1 oz, 2 ozs, 3 ozs, 1.5 ozs.
He seemed to adapt to it very well and didnt mind the change. He is doing great and seems to be growing like a weed. His hospital pictures (the ones the staff took) came in the mail and he looked so handsome. But he also doesnt even look like that little baby anymore. (sigh)
Dad dressed him after his bath, and so what if he put the bugs bunny outfit on backwards! Kris still looked smart in his outfit. (dad didnt when mom got home though!)

Lindsey : What a surprise to her mom when she got there on Friday evening. Lindsey was out of her Isolete!! (YAY! Image of parents happy dancing!) She was all dressed in a basonette (sp) and waiting all bright eyed for company.
What a great thing for her to be out of that thing. So much easier to give her a bath now and touch her. Not to mention she can wear little outfits all the time.
The next big change was that she is on all bottle feeds now. She is up to 32 cc of formula and does a pretty good job of getting it all down. It usually takes her ten minutes to get it all down, burping and all.
She was 1550 cc, a small gain, but a gain.

As of 10:00 pm 7/16/98
Kristoffer had a quiet day, being a good boy and all that. But last night..ugh! Poor guy wasnt comfortable in his crib and let us know it. He was also awake and didn't want to sleep. About 1:50 am Dad went down to investigate the crying and picked him up. Crying stopped and he looked around. He was WIDE awake. No sleeping for him. (Keith, what did your Mother-in-law drug your brother-in-law with?) So I danced with him and played a little poker (I'm good for the $30! Kris) and then gave him a little food. He went to sleep around 2:30 am. 3:30 am, fidgeting and crying again. Mom got up and fed him again. 5:00, same thing, Mom got up again so I could get ready for work. I think I will try and keep him awake before 10:00 tonight, maybe it'll help him sleep, who knows.
No major accidents during bath time, figures, his mom gaave him the bath.

Lindsey is getting a full ounce now. When Her dad fed her last night, she had an extra 5cc for spillage and spillage she did!
Also, as Dad undressed her for her weight and bath, she decided to poop (why always on me I don't know!), 1 minute later and it would have been all over me and the floor and the scale as I carried her over there. Bad enough I had her diaper off when she started. At least it got the hospital blanket and not hers which I take home with me at night. Whew what a ride that would have been. I would have put it in the back of the truck!
Other than that, she weighs 1540 gms (3lbs 6.3 ozs), she is a gaining maniac. I think if she gains 100 gms every 2 days, she will be 'go home' weight by next weekend. If she is ready to go home is another issue though.
To that end, she gets a bottle for every other feeding. A key step. She is great with it, finishes it off in ten minutes. Her Isolete unit is also set on room temperature, she is holding her own really well. She gets to keep her outfits on all day now, so we have to remember to bring more with us so the nurses can change her. Her weight needs to be over 1700 gms before they will take her out of that unit though. But the way she is going that will be by Monday.
Lots of exciting things going on with her, we can't help but get more excited as each day she does better then the last.
I decided that the way Lindsey looks at you, she is an older person in a babies body. Now I know this is a stretch for some of you, but bear (bare?) with me (Now there is a thought!). If you remember "It's a Wonderful Life" when George Bailey's father says "You were born older George", thats what popped into my mind last night. I cant wait to see what this old baby has in store for us!