One ounce at a time...

Once again, our apologies to those of you who were looking for yesterday's "daily" - Mama crashed and Papa thought Mama had reported already. This is going to be a trend in our future communication style I'm sure!

What to take away from this, however, is that no news is good news, or at least not bad news. Yesterday and today were (are) busy days. You've likely figured out the daily routine already and can probably imagine the day's start without me even writing...but that would be no fun! So...once again Caitlyn, Mama and Grandma (yesterday) headed to visit Emily and Heather. We were in time for rounds however there was nothing of significance to report other than "maybe they'll come home this week - time will tell"...but then we've heard that quite a bit. So it really is just a matter of waiting this out.

Papa, Jennifer and Caitlyn had an afternoon nap yesterday... and today? - well, let's just be thankful that yesterday was a nap day!

Today, Emily and Heather were in great form. Emily was wide awake and eager to get busy. When I put Caitlyn in the crib for her daily cuddle and "best sleep of the day", Emily (I'm not kidding) looked at her and gave the biggest grin and reached out to welcome her long lost sister. Caitlyn followed step and fell peacefully to sleep. Both Emily and Heather's feeds have been decreased in total volume over the past 24 hours. This was in part due to some concern that the girls are gaining a bit too much weight too quickly (Heather particularly, who has been gaining on average 70 grams / day) and to assist them to, perhaps, actually finish their bottles. Again, the benchmark for discharge is 48 hours without needing any tube feeds.

The change seems to be somewhat helpful: Emily was much more alert for her 12 o'clock lunch and was eagerly rooting for the bottle. She has rarely done this in the past. Emily finished all but about 10 mls. Heather put in a similar performance and although she did not look up to it at the start, completed all but 6 mls! A terrific effort that buoyed our hope that they might actually come home together!!

Caitlyn had her 3rd doctor's appointment today and was given a very clear bill of health. She was then "kidnapped" and introduced to all of the staff in the office by her doctor! Of note, she gained a very respectable 36 grams per day on average over the past week. This is up from 22 grams per day last week - great work Caitlyn!!

So we have chubby-cheeked, fatty-thighed, cushy-bummed babies! How blessed we are that the girls are all doing so well and are so healthy.

We are eager, as you know, to bring them home and continue the "weight gain" program!

Happiness is.....

Love to all....

Jan