1 month old

The babies are already 1 month old! Boy, have these two weeks flown by since they came home. We don't do much more than feed, burp, change diapers and try to sleep in between (feedings are every 3 hrs.)! Jason's mom and sister have been coming over weekday afternoons to help, which has been great! We can sleep then, do chores, or just relax.

Tommorow we have a photo session scheduled for the babies. With luck, we'll have photos and announcements out in no time (better late than never).

We are sleep deprived but happy to have two healthy babies! We have recieved their NICU bills: about $120,000 between them! That doesn't include any of the other bills, of course! We're putting those NICU bills in their baby boxes!!

We can't wait to see those of you who are visiting this August. We still plan on traveling to Chicago as well to see Aunt Jackie. Anyone who would like to come and visit us are more than welcome, as long as you give us notice.

-P

A new dad's reflections

Wow... we need to get back in the habit of posting every day or two!

The twins have been home for about a week now. We're just starting to settle in to a routine. They need to be fed every 3 hours, so life is only planned 6 hours out now! ;- ) Pauline and I are still trying to figure out how to make it all work. I have trouble sleeping during the day, but can function with less sleep. Pauline's not a morning person - so we just kind of toss the responsiblity off to the other person when we feel like we need to nap.

If we work together, we can get Scott and Hannah fed, changed and back to bed in about 30-45 minutes. Alone, it takes almost 90 minutes. When you're on a 3 hour cycle you can see how frustrating that becomes. The good news is we have a ton of help locally!

Both our families have been helping out so we can get a few hours more of sleep here or there. In fact, today we're going to see Grandma CC (Pauline's mom). Nanna and Pop-pop Mueller are in Toledo for a 50th wedding anniversary of Great-grandma and Great-grandpa Coberley. whew! That's a lot of grand parents...

- J
(A semi-coherant but very proud pappa)

Twins reunited again!

Scott is home! Oh, what fun!

We've done okay, actually. Scott was circumsized yesterday before we picked him up; he's in a little pain, but we have baby Tylenol from the hospital. Not a lot of sleep last night, but we're getting better.

We'll keep everyone updated.

-P

Hannah: 1, Sleep: 0

First night home was a fun one, but not a lot of sleep! Hannah stayed in a cradle near our bed last night to be close to Pauline and I. Poor Pauline was up a good chunk of the night. She's sleeping right now while I take the "day shift".

I have no idea how this is going to work with two babies! ;-)

- J
(a tired papa)

HANNAH IS HOME!

Hannah came home today! The first day has had its challenges, but Jason and I have kept things as smooth as possible. Hannah gets fed every 3 hours. She's one hungry girl! We'll let you know how our night goes.

We hope Scott will come home in a few days, but no one has said when.

I'll try and keep you posted!

-P

Moved again...

The babies were moved into the larger Level 2 NICU today. No one bothered to tell me, however, when I called for an update earlier this afternoon. When I went to the hospital this evening with Amy and headed to the private room they had been in, the door was shut and a "Containment" sign was posted. I thought my babies had become seriously ill! Nope, they were just moved.

Hannah is doing wonderfully. She's a pro at bottle feeding! Tommorow I'm going to ask the neonatal doctor on staff about her progress and when she might be able to go home. I hope it's soon.

Scott, however, is pretty sick. He has been having problems with gas and his tummy hurts him a lot. He is really uncomfortable. Last night I suggested to the nurse on night shift that he should be switched to soy formula. (Jenny and I were on soy formula when we were babies in the NICU.) I was upset to learn that no one had discussed it today! Soy formula is supposed to help with the very same problems he's been having: gas, fussiness and spitting up. He can hold the regular formula down, but it's doing a number on his digestive system! His little bottom is red and raw, and I can tell he's in pain when I see him awake. I hope it is the formula, actually, because switching to soy may make all that go away. And it could have been resolved today! Tommorow I'm going to the hospital early to talk to the doctor myself!

Last night while Jason and I were at the hospital, Scott got a warm bath and some special ointment. The nurse also put a little heating pad on his tummy and it seemed to soothe him. (We like that nurse; she gave us some good tips and advice). He got the same treatment tonight (same nurse), but Scott semmed to be in even more pain tonight: he was almost inconsolable! Poor little guy!

-P

It's a project...

Jason and Scott are working on a built-in bookcase/window seat for the nursery. I'm excited! Let's see if those Mueller men can pull it off this weekend (it's day #2 now).

The babies are doing great! They're in a "private room" with one little baby boy roomie. I think they like the quiet. Next step is home after they get down the bottle-feeding and keep steady weight gain.

Hannah is the girl with 1,000 faces when she sleeps. She's also pretty vocal when she's dreaming: little squeaks, whimpers and sighs.

Scott has a "reputation" already with the nurses about his diapers. I changed a stinky diaper last evening and it's not an exaggeration. Weeeee. The poor little guy is also little gassy and is known for his BIG belches.

I'm recovering well from the surgery. I'm a little weak from the 6+ weeks of bedrest. My back isn't strong and my abdomen weaker (especially from the c-section). I'm looking forward to using the Mueller's new hot tub when the doctor gives the ok!

-P

LOOK BELOW FOR PHOTOS OF THE BABIES! We'll get more soon.

We've got babies! (photos)

Here they are... the long awaited pictures of Scott and Hannah!


(Click on image to enlarge)

Then there is my favorite photo so far...


(Click on image to enlarge)

Wouldn't you just love to know what they're thinking??

Both are now out of their isolettes because they're able to maintain their own body temperature. That may not sound like much, but for a premie in NICU, it's HUGE! Now all they have to do is get bottle feeding down and they can come home! ;-)