Catching up from last week.

Wednesday June 1^st – Our first full day that we realized we are parents – proud mom and dad!  It’s hard to really feel like a mom and dad though when you aren’t the one taking care of them.  Over time that will change though once we are able to hear them cry and hold them down the road.

Thursday June 2^nd – Jocie required a bit of medicine (it’s like receiving a jolt of caffeine) for her heart rate and Jace needed more oxygen.  This is something that will be a constant up and down.  Both were still within tolerance.  We saw Jace’s eye for the first time – but only one because he can’t open both together when he wakes up (another trait from dad!).

Friday June 3^rd – Big day of tests for them both.  Chest x-ray, echo, and ultrasound of the brain.  Both had results as expected with the chest x-ray and echo which means they both have heart murmurs from a valve that has not yet had time to close yet.  This is something they will monitor over time to see if it closes on its own.  If not there is a medicine they can give but it is only effective if given in the first 3 weeks.  Jocie also had to have a PICC line put in through a vein in her arm because the line they were using through her belly button to give her nutrients and medicine began to ooze.  Jace will eventually get a PICC line as well but they typically like to wait until about a week to a week in a half of age.  The delicate procedure went well.

Saturday June 4^th – Jocie was on her belly so we saw her cute little butt for the first time!  In the evening a rash that had started a couple of days ago that they thought was just from skin irritation from tape has appeared to have spread down on her legs and up onto her arms.  They think it may be a yeast infection and so they have her covered in goop.  Niki saw Jace’s little guy for the first time!

Sunday June 5^th – Jocie was extubated in the mid morning and got a c-pap.  Our first time seeing her have bradycardio (e.g., apnea) which basically means she stopped breathing.  Scariest moment thus far but apparently is as expected with preemies when the get weaned from the respirator as they get use to doing more of the breathing work themselves.  We were also told they began medicine through the IV to help with her yeast infection that is all over her little skin and possibly on the tip of her tongue.  Jace no longer has the light as his billy ruben count was within a normal range.  We got to see him for the first time under normal lighting and without the shades on!  However, we were told he may require it again as they monitor his count.  We heard Jocie with a little squeal for the first time since birth when the nurse was doing some of her care and we also saw her eyes open for the first time!

Monday June 6^th - Jace was put back under the light for jaundice.  Jocie’s rash is looking better.  Jocie began feedings through a tube.

Tuesday June 7^th – Jocie’s feedings were stopped as she began to display too much residual in her system.  This is a common thing to occur and they will constantly go from feedings for a day or two or three to backing off for a day or two.  Jace began his feedings through his tube.  Jocie was off of her light for jaundice.

Wednesday June 8^th –Jocie is back on her light for jaundice.  Jace’s feeding had to be stopped.  Jace began receiving medicine (steroids) to help boost his lung development in hopes of weaning him from the breathing tube.  Hopefully this will strengthen his lungs so he can get off the respirator and onto c-pap like Jocie.  WE GOT TO HOLD JOCIE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!  This was really exciting (pics to follow)!  She did well.  Her heart rate was a bit high but she only had one moment of bradycardia. 

Posts migtht be more detailed from now on but we just wanted to get caught up and get the blog started before we got too far behind. This is a work in progress so please bare with us. Thanks!!