April 17, 2011

Nine Days Old

Payton 4 pounds 5 ounces
McKinley 3 pounds 14 ounces

We have been in the Step Down unit for about 4 days and it is starting to feel like home. I am here all day and all night leaving about every 2 days to get a new set of clothes. We have gotten to know the nurses really well. We are so fortunate that Berkley is with my family and being spoiled rotten!


The girls home...for now!

Today was a lazy Sunday. We spent the entire day with the girls...just the 4 of us (and the nurses of course!). I really enjoy the quite time where we can just enjoy our girls.
This afternoon the girls graduated from slow flow to normal flow nipples on their bottles. They are big enough to handle a normal flow, which just amazes me! The girls love the new nipples and eat a lot faster with them.
Today was also a big day for Matt. He changed McKinley's diaper, gave her a wipe bath, and fed her. He also fed Payton at an earlier feeding. I was so proud of him. He is a great dad and loves his little girls!


There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby! Good Night sweet girls!

April 16, 2011

Eight Days Old

Payton 4 pounds 4 ounces
McKinley 3 pounds 14 ounces


Today was a very big day for the girls. They were very alert and happy all day. It is amazing to watch them take in their surroundings.


Payton discovered the paci today and loved it. She even began to cry for it...we think that she will be a paci girl!


McKinley woke up hungry for the first time (usually we have to wake them up every 3 hours) and ate really well. We are hoping she does this more often so that she can gain weight.

The girls also had a lot of visitors today. Yaya and Aunt Adrienne came back. Yaya was able to hold McKinley and feed Payton. Aunt Adrienne was able to hold McKinley for the first time. Cousin Vickie came by and got to hold both the girls. Our friends Ford and Amy came by to visit also.


Ford getting in some practice before his little girl comes in a few weeks.


The girls are doing great and we are still hoping to go home this week. Next weekend is Easter and we are told we will be home before then! We cannot wait!!!

April 15, 2011

One Week Old

Payton 4 pounds 5 ounces
McKinley 3 pounds 14 ounces

The girls are one week old today!! I cannot believe that it has already been a week. This morning their bilirubin levels were low enough for them to be taken off the lights. This also meant they get to wear clothes for the first time, what a great one week gift!!



We were told that I can not strictly breastfeed if I choose. I am so excited that I can now feed both girls on my own. It is such a great feeling knowing that they are getting the best that they can from me.



However, if we bottle feed then Payton's feeding was increased to 45 mL and McKinley increased to 35 mL. Their feeding is constantly being increased so that the girls will gain weight and we can go home!! We are hoping to be home by Easter which is about a week away. We are told that we should be home before Easter!!



In honor of the girls one week birthday my mom, sister, and sweet niece came to visit. Last time they were here the girls were still in the critical care NICU so no one was allowed to hold them. Now were are in the step down NICU and my mom was able to hold both girls. My sister also got to hold McKinley.



After the girls feeding we went out to eat. It was so nice to leave the hospital and have some good food!! However, we were constantly thinking about the girls and hurried back for their next feeding!



While we were out we bought the girls cupcakes to celebrate their first week of life.


Here is to many more weeks with our girls!