Our Girls

We met our two tiny bundles today!

Sydney is in the "Continuing Care Nursery" and Ruby is in the "Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit". Both of them are doing pretty well. Ruby's lungs are a little bit less developed than Sydney's so she has been having a little bit harder of a time and is still on a ventilator (on fairly low settings of 30 - 50% Oxygen - they can go up to 100% if necessary). She got a dose of surfactant yesterday which is naturally produced in the lungs but some preemies don't have enough. She has apparently done much better since she got that medicine and they are planning to take her off of the breathing tube later today or tomorrow. She will then have the cpap (nose prongs). Once she is stable on the cpap she will be able to move downstairs with Sydney to the CCN. Sydney has been breathing "room air" since she was born and hasn't had to have any oxygyen or ventilator support. Both girls' billiruben was up today so when we saw Ruby she was under a light with "sun glasses" on.

Sydney is getting 3cc's of formula every 3 hours and they are planning to increase that to 6cc's later today - this is given through a feeding tube in her mouth, she is getting fluids via an IV in her belly button. Ruby was getting all of her nutrition through her belly button until this morning. When we were with her she got her first 1.5cc's through the feeding tube in her mouth. It will probably be 4 - 6 weeks before they have the sucking reflex and are able to receive nutrition via a tiny bottle.

The hospital has set up a consultation for us on Monday or Tuesday with a social worker to help us find lodging. We may be able to get in to some townhouses close to the hospital or possibly the Ronald McDonald House. Currently we are staying at a Courtyard by Marriott across the street from the hospital.

Here are a few photos of the girls.

There are three of Sydney - one with her eyes wide open, one with my hands (she is holding my pinky finger) to give you some perspective on size, and one of her by herself in her little bed.

The next three are of Ruby - you can see that she has her sunglasses on and these photos are a little harder to see due to the UV light. The first photo we have her little beany bear laying next to her so you can see how tiny she is! Another one of her by herself and the third she is holding my finger.














We are still in legal limbo today - Tina is having an understandably difficult time right now and hasn't been able to meet us in person. We have spoken with her several times on the phone though and she has given us full access to be with the babies. Her family (Mother Jenny, Father Clarence and her Grandmother as well as her youngest son) are all coming to visit her and the babies this afternoon. Tina will call us when they are all done so we can go back over and visit the girls.

Our attorney is planning to visit Tina tomorrow with all of the necessary paperwork for her to sign so we are very anxious to find out how that goes. This is a very nervewracking time for everyone concerned.