Week 2

Day 8 - October 27

- Today Connor is 4.9 lbs. and Hayden is 4.14 lbs.

- They are now taking 3 bottles each today and the other 5 are partially put through the tube because they can't finish them.

- The doc is still saying he suggest no one but parents hold the boys until they get home. I see other people holding babies that aren't the parents but apparently it's because they are older babies that have been in the NICU for a while. 

- Hayden made googly eyes at his momma all day. His facial expressions crack me up. (Check out the many faces of Hayden via video below).

- Connor slept most of the day but looked sweet doing it.

- The boys both smile ALOT in their sleep. It is so cute. When Hayden does it he looks just like the last ultrasound pic I have of him when Dr. Reiter captured him smiling. His grumpy man faces are all just an act. He's a happy little guy!

- Thank you all for the texts and calls. We are up at the NICU most of the day and can't have our phones on so I usually only check it around the time we leave or take a food break. Please forgive us if we forget to write/call back or take forever to do it. We wish we could share these little guys with everyone right now!!

- Also, we know how bad so many of you want to see our boys. Unfortunately, it's grandparents only in the NICU. We were lucky enough to sneak in a couple other family members one specific morning but only because they forgot to tell us they had moved our babies to the level II NICU and felt bad. But, they have gotten strict since then and even check the visitor IDs of our parents when they come to visit the boys. We promise you will get to love on our boys as soon as possible!

I'm like an owl. I don't give a hoot. 

Family photo! 

Louie and his creep mustache that he "grew" out for our friend's son's 1st birthday mustache man party.

My little squishy face.

Day 9

- Today is Daddy's birthday! I had signs taped on their beds and he was surprised. Despite having to spend his birthday in the hospital he said it was the best birthday yet because our boys are here.

- We got a good report from the doc today! Both boys took 5 whole bottles each! They have to take 8 and maintain it for them to come home.

- Hayden weighs 4.15 and Connor weighs 4.9

- They didn't eat that great for us but as Nurse A put it, they aren't the type of babies to just take a bottle. It takes a lot of work to teach them what to do. She showed us different techniques that seemed to work a little better.

- I worked with Hayden for the first time on nursing. He did so good!

- We got to do kangaroo care! It was so sweet and I could have held them forever like that.

- I am still fluid-filled so forgive all my puffiness in the pictures!

Happy birthday Dad!

Sleepy Connor 

I love my hands

Buddies!

Come here Dad, I have to tell you something.... 

My little long-limbed baby

Mommy and Connor 

 Daddy and Hayden

ET phone home

Day 10

- I called to check on the boys this morning and they did great on their 8 am and 11 am feedings! Connor finished his in 15 minutes and 7 minutes. Hayden finished both of his in 15 minutes!! Now if only they can do that for us.

- Today Connor weighs 4.12 and Hayden weighs 5! Go buddies!

- I worked with Hayden on nursing again and he did great. Both of them do so good for being preemies.

- Louie was so proud; he was able to get Connor to eat a whole bottle. And then he peed on his daddy's leg :)

- I was able to get Hayden to eat almost an whole bottle for the first time ever. And then he was too tired for his next feeding.

- Thanks again to everyone who has brought us food. It is so nice to have food to eat in the house!!

Hey guys!

Baby kisses are the best! 

Pure laziness right here 

I heard that Mom.

Lovin' on my sweet H.

Day 11

- I went up early to the NICU today because I wanted to spend extra time with the boys. I absolutely hate being away from them. All I want to do is sit there and love on them every chance I get.

- Connor didn't gain any weight. I think it's because he eats so fast and furious he burns all his calories.

- Hayden weighs 5.1 lbs.

- Hayden pulled out his NG tube twice last night. We had a talk. I told him he wouldn't have to deal with it if he would eat better.

- Connor's umbilical cord fell out!

Holla! Check out my belly button!

I. Hate. Diaper. Changes. Yet. They. Feel. So. Good. 

Someone stinks in here....

Is it you?

Day 12

- Happy 1st Halloween sweet boys! I wish we could dress you up and take you trick-or-treating. Next year for sure!

- Dr. Haney called to give me a daily update this morning. He said Connor has been impressive with his feedings and may get to go home within a week. I can't figure out how l feel about this. While I'm excited and happy for my little guy, I am sad that Hayden would get left behind. It makes me feel extra stressed.

- I went to the NICU parent group today sponsored by March of Dimes and the child life specialists at the hospital. We made onesies for the boys and they turned out cute!

- Hayden and Connor are both back at their birth weights - 4.14 (C) and 5.3 (H)!

- Connor did so good on his feedings. He finished all his bottles while I was there and in record time!

- Hayden did really good at his 2 pm feeding but got lazy at his 5 pm feeding and had to get 17 mL in the tube.

- Both boys were a little fussy today. Anna said Connor was fussy after his feedings like he wanted more. I think he just wanted more time with her.

Check out my mom-made onesie.

No, I will not show you my onesie unless you let me go trick-or-treating.

But I want to go!!!!!!

Anna and her buddy Connor.

Anna and her Hayden with his infamous grumpy man face that she loves so much!

Day 13

- I broke the rules and drove myself to the hospital today. I missed my boys so much!

- The boys didn't finish some of their bottles during the night but did good for Anna this morning. They love her.

- Dr. Haney came to see the boys while I was there. He broke the news that Hayden would "definitely not be going home with Connor." This makes me so sad. It's so hard to be happy knowing I'll have to leave him behind. I hate this :( Maybe God will answer my prayer that he can come home at the same time!

- Hayden did not feel good today. He was fussy because his tummy hurt. He was burping, farting, hiccuping, pushing off me with his legs. He got lots of rocking, back rubs, and love today.

- Connor's little face was looking more full today. He's finally getting some fat on his little bitty body.

It's been a rough day.

I'm so sleepy. All the time.

Day 14

- Happy 2 weeks my sweet boys! You are growing and looking different every day. We love you so much!

- NO MORE NG TUBES!!!!!!!! The boys have been doing so good with their feedings that the doctor decided to give them 24 hours without the tube. If they do well, it's out for good and they can go home after they have a good couple days.

- Connor hit 5 lbs. So proud of my little guy!

- Hayden is 5.5 lbs and since last night has eaten all but 1 bottle. I am so excited! Connor finished all but 3. I guess he didn't want to show up his big brother this time.

- We did the carseats install/inspection today with the child life specialist. Now all we need are 2 little babies to put in there!

- My blood pressure has gone back up thanks to some added stress. My doctor said she was going to put me on bp meds if I didn't stop it.

- Dr. H told us Connor could possibly be watching the Texans game with us Sunday!

- The boys were dirty and smelled like spit up again today so we cleaned them up. I was not happy with the day nurse. The night nurse gave them a bath a day early because of it. Even she thought they were funky! Poor babies :(

- We met one of Louie's customers for dinner during the nurses' shift change. The food was so good and check out the cherry cotton candy below - amazing!

- We stayed till midnight. It was a rough day and being around our boys makes everything better.

Practicing my Tebow.

I'm too sexy for my pants. 

I LOVE my fingers.

No more NG tubes people!!

Celebrating H & C's 2 week birthday with some cotton candy!

Hayden & Connor's First Week

As most of you know, our sweet boys were born via emergency c-section due to preeclampsia on Friday, October 19 at 11:15 p.m. We have been on such a roller coaster of emotions over the last week, and while I want to share the whole story, I also want it to make sense and I'm hanging on by a thread as far as being coherent goes. So, I'll work on that and share it when it's ready. For now, I've been keeping track of our boys each day and would like to share what their little worlds (and ours) have been like since they made their grand entrance.

Day 1 (October 20, 2012)
- The boys have lost weight (normal, I know). Hayden is 4 lbs 13 oz and Connor is 4 lbs 9 oz.
- They were both taken off the CPAP (breathing apparatus used to treat preterm infants whose lungs have not fully developed) after 32 hrs. 
- Both boys ate 10 ml of formula
- I was so out of it when they brought the boys to see me for a fews secs while in recovery that I don't really remember much. Today, I was able to go see them in the Level III NICU. I touched their sweet little hands and they both grabbed hold of my finger. It was so hard to see them all hooked up, but they are so incredibly beautiful I was able to get past it for the time being.
- Pictures make them look big but they are so tiny in person.

Hayden River

Connor Jackson

Welcome baby boys!

Day 2
- Both boys were moved to Level II NICU (yay) late tonight/early morning! They forgot to call and tell us so when Lou went down to III they weren't there. They felt terrible for forgetting to tell us so we were able to get away with a couple extra family members who were not on the visitation list for the day.
- Hayden weighs 4 lbs 10 oz and Connor weighs 4 lbs 6 oz.
- They both ate 20 ml of formula.
- Hayden is a slow eater and Connor is fast.
- Lou got to feed Hayden for the first time.
- We took down the first syringe of colostrum!
- I've been in a lot of pain since about 3 hours after my epidural was taken out - I asked for it back!
- We've had lots of visitors today; I only wish we could share our sweet boys with them but feel special that they still came to see me.
- My Momo got to see the babies; I feel so grateful for this as Momo is 1 of 2 living great grandparents to our boys and the only one on my side.

Daddy learning how to feed Hayden

Momo and Hayden with Daddy

Momo admiring Connor

Auntie Fish and Hayden

Auntie Fish and Connor

Day 3
- Connor was put under light for jaundice; He's sad because he cant see his girlfriend next door with his shades on.
- We each got to feed a baby (my first time)!!
- Connor took down 17 ml of colostrum.
- We snuck in my Aunt Theresa to meet the boys (we knew the boys' nurse); She used to be a NICU nurse.
- Connor was very alert and cooing today; He was amazed by his mommy it seemed (check out the video below). He likes to throw his hands up in the air like he's saying "Helllllloooooo." At the end of the video he practices his JJ Swatts.
- Hayden is a lazy eater and doesn't take much from his bottle so he has to get fed a lot through his tube
- The doc said Hayden has some lungs on him :)
- I'm super puffy today. I hope I don't scare anyone!

I wear my sunglasses at night

My first time feeding Hayden

My first time feeding Connor

Hayden loves to stretch out!

Day 4
- WOW! Our love for these boys is completely indescribable.
- Both boys had their IVs removed so no more TPN, lipids, etc.
- We've figured out their little quirks. Hayden loves to wrinkle his forehead and makes lots of grumpy old man faces. Connor works his lips and tongue like a baby giraffe. They are both so expressive and cute!
- Connor is off the light!
- We both got to change diapers today; it's funny how the little things excite us.
- Hayden ate good for his momma on one feeding and was very alert today.
- I got to work with Connor on nursing (it was too much for him though and he was too worn out to take his bottle).
- I've been swelling really bad and in a lot of pain. The only time I can take my mind off of it is when I'm with my babies.
- The boys both had the same nurse (Anna) today and we liked her. We've requested her on the days she works.
- I was discharged tonight and we were so sad to leave. It was the hardest thing either one of us has ever done. We had to stop off in the "Milk Express" room to gain our composure before walking out of the hospital.

Hayden admiring his momma. He loves to wrinkle his little forehead. He is a little guy but has a chubby face.

Connor is always sticking his tongue out like a baby giraffe. He is so very petite!

Our first family photo (tears and all!)

Day 5
- The boys have both really slowed down and aren't doing so well with their feedings :(
- Connor worked on nursing again today but was so worn out again.
- Hayden was approved for non-nutritive breastfeeding but I haven't worked with him yet because he's not very good at even the bottle.
- Both boys had outfits on for the first time. They looked so cute!
- Lou went back to work today and got off early to spend time with us.
- Pumping every 2.5 hrs is exhausting but it's what's best for my boys so I have to remind myself of that
- Hayden is lazy but so cute you can't help but laugh. I just wish he wasn't lazy when it comes to feedings.
- Connor looks just like his daddy. Lou says Hayden looks like me.
- My friend's sister who works in the NICU fed Connor and because he finished so fast he got snuggle time with her. It made me feel good that someone we knew was there with them when we couldn't be.
- Go boobies! The boys are getting to eat more and more breast milk. I just wish they were taking it by bottle and not the tube.
- Chase and Christie brought us lasagna after we got home from the hospital. I was so excited to finally be able to eat tomato-based food! It had made me so sick during pregnancy.

First pic of the boys side-by-side. Hayden on left, Connor on right. They have similar features but look different, especially because of their size difference. 

My first real clothes to wear!

Practicing my Heisman pose!

Sweet Connor!

Sweet Hayden with his milk bubbles!

Day 6
- The doc called this morning and decided to put the boys on cue based feedings since they have not been eating much out of their bottles. Basically, they'll only bottle feed if they show signs of wanting to eat (alertness, sucking, etc.). Otherwise they'll get fed through the tube. This keeps them in the NICU longer but hopefully they will gain stamina and not burn so many calories this way so they can put on weight.
- They were kind of dirty when we got there and it upset me; I was not impressed with their nurse. I cleaned them up myself and will ask the charge nurse not to put her with our boys again.
- They were extra sleepy today.
- Hayden woke up for daddy and they talked football.
- The boys took a tiny bit from their bottles but the rest through tubes for their 5 pm feeding (they eat every 3 hours).
- Hayden requires burping and spits up a lot. He can burp like a man.
- Connor has gas pains sometimes and it's so sad when he cries out. He never burps.
- Hayden peed on himself twice because the nurse didn't point his wiener down in his diaper. Stupid lady! And she wasn't going to change his outfit, so I spoke up.
- Connor peed on daddy during diaper change. Again.
- Today was a hard day emotionally for me. I think the nurse upset me and my hormones are all over the place, those mixed with having to leave the boys just did me in.
- We came home to a fridge full of yummy food from our friends. How special and loved we feel! Thanks y'all!

Love these little guys so much!

Hayden always has his hands by his face or in his mouth! 

Connor sleeps with his mouth open like his mommy!

Day 7
- I can't believe it's been a week since our boys joined us! The past week has been a blur since we're sleep deprived and living off the adrenaline that getting to see our boys gives us.
- Anna was the boys' nurse today so they were all clean and dressed cute when we got there.
- Connor worked on breast feeding today but it wore him out pretty good for both his 2 pm and 5 pm feedings, so he got the tube.
- Hayden did good on his 2 pm feeding for his daddy but not so much for his 5 pm feeding with mommy.
- Have I mentioned how much I hate the sounds of the NICU? The monitors going off right and left is very nerve wracking.
- Hayden's umbilical cord fell out today!
- Happy 1 week sweet boys!

Hey mom! (H) 

Booby practice makes me so sleepy (C)

Look at my new belly button! (H)

I love to put my feet in the air! And I have gas. (C) 

All better. (C)

Hands on my face like always. (H)