Light at the end of the tunnel????????

So, yesterday during rounds they actually gave us a "tentative departure timeline" - ---------- TWO WEEKS!!! It's looking like a few days after Mothers Day! What a gift! Next piece of good news, they could go home together! This is not too common as they really are two completely different babies who progress at their own speeds. However, they are both gaining weight beautifully, are both breast and bottle feeding. So, now we just need them to pack on a little more weight and make sure they have fewer drops in their heartbeats. (this is a common thing they will grow out of, very common with premature babies). They will also need to pass the "car seat" test. I don't know the ins and outs of this yet, but we basically bring the car seats there to the NICU where they place them in there for 1 hour and monitor them inside of them. Guess it's time to take those out of the boxes . . .

More Pictures

Today is WED April 29th. Carson weighs 4lb 7oz and Dean 4lb 3 oz. Its amazing how quickly they gain weight. This morning at 2:00 am Carson got her first bottle and Dean got his at 3:00 am. I spoke to the nurse and she said at first they didn't know what to do with it, but then they figured it out. Here are some pictures from their big move to the open crib, Dean showing his brotherly love, and others.

Knock On Wood - - - -

Every time we see the DR and chat with our nurses, all we ever get is good news, good news, good news! We've been really lucky, Carson & Dean have progressed every day over their 22 day stay there! They say the NICU is typically "2 steps forward, 1 step back", but that hasn't been our case. As of now, they are steadily gaining weight, breast feeding TWO feedings a day, and receiving the rest via feeding tube. Our goal this week is to consistently have them take those two full feedings and then introduce a bottle during one of the night time feedings. If that goes well, they can slowly add another bottle, and another, and another until they are 100% off of the feeding tube. Got it? They are only "33 weeks gestation", so they cannot believe they are already breast feeding.

I am starting to really HATE sitting in the hospital all day, every day. Its definitley mind over matter to not just crash - physically and emotionally. Several people have told me, "once they're home, they're there for the rest of their lives" therefore the time in the NICU will be a distant memory. Well- - - I CANNOT WAIT. Sitting there is truly miserable, not to mention the driving back and forth. The hardest part is when Eric & I leave at 10 pm at night. Not bringing them with us is the most unnatural thing. I look forward to their first picture where the background is not the NICU and they are "cord free" off of the monitors. Hopefully just another 2 - possibly 4 weeks and this will all be over.

As for Carson & Dean, they change daily. I love when they are wide awake with their big eyes open. I hold them for hours on end during the day. Dean still squishes himself up as if he were still in the womb and Carson sprawls out. Carson still has her head full of blonde hair and Dean is trying to catch up. We still think that she looks like me and he like Eric. As of last night - - she weighed 4lbs 4 oz and he was 3lbs 15 ounces. We are excited for tonight when Dean breaks into the 4lb club! I know it sounds weird to you, but to us, they are getting big!

BIG REUNION!

Well, after I posted yesterday's blog I headed to the hospital where big changes had occurred. First, their pulse oxygen had been removed from their feet. This is a little monitor that detects the oxygen in their blood. They have been doing well, so they no longer needed that to be monitored. It was fabulous to have one more cord out of the way! Next, the doctors wanted them to try breastfeeding. Now remember, they are only 32.3 weeks gestation. They really aren't supposed to be ready to do this. Carson lasted only a few minutes, while Dean lasted about 20 minutes (his Daddy's son). Then, at the end of the day . . . they were moved to an OPEN CRIB. It was one of those "I really am a parent of twins" moment to see them snuggled up together in their new crib. Not to mention, their crib awaiting them here at home is much prettier than the NICU one, they are going to look so cute when they get here!

Oh - - one other thing did occur that I must share. Since I am writing about everything else, I might as well include this. Dean showed Daddy his moves during a diaper change by peeing on him. Eric, this is the first of many more to come!

Daddy's Bundles of Joy (and chest hair)

Carson & Dean are no longer needing to stay naked - - it's time to get them dressed. Since they are only 1 - 2 degrees away from coming out of their incubators and into an open crib (together), clothes are extremely helpful. I have enjoyed bringing in outfits daily and dressing them up. They look absolutley precious - - even though they are drowning in some of the matching hats.

No "new news" to report. Which we have learned in the NICU - - no news, is good news. They have tolerated all of their feedings, which they have added additional calories and protein to. So, we are seeing nice jumps in their weights each evening.

Some preemies require ultrasounds and eye exams to make sure there aren't any additional issues that need to be resolved. Carson & Dean are not in need of any of these tests as they have shown no signs of complications and because they were delivered at a "safe gestation" age. (even thought to us, 8 weeks was early).

I look forward to posting a picture of them in their crib together. I have a feeling they have really missed one another!

I may be a biased mom . . . .

BUT - - is there anything more adorable than this? (them, not me . . . in case you were confused)

One less tube!

Our little man Dean joined his sister by having his canulla removed! They are both officially off of oxygen and flow. They are 100% on room air - - its been several days and they are both doing - - as the DR said "EXCELLENT". Now, all they have left are the orange feeding tubes. It's great to see their faces more now.

Also - - to fill everyone in - - they have graduated to the INTERMEDIATE and final stage of the NICU. There are 3 stages, they never went to Stage 1 as that is for sick babies, and have spent only 8 days in Stage 2 before graduating to Stage 3. They are labeled "feeders & growers", meaning their health is fabulous, we just need to chub them up and watch them get bigger for a few more weeks before they can come home with us. We were very excited about this news! Once a few more babies are discharged, Carson & Dean will be relocated to a new, more private area together.


Here are pictures from last night.

*** I have met some wonderful women thru friends who also experienced the NICU when their children were born. One lady made Carson & Dean these signs - - too cute!

Grandma & Grandpa Margulies AND Uncle Andy & Aunt Leah

More love for Carson & Dean. Howard, Judi, Andy & Leah have been terrific visitors of the NICU and we captured their first time holding the babies! Eric & I were testing everyone to make sure they would be good babysitters - - they all passed! Carson & Dean now can't wait to meet Aunt Whitney, Uncle Anthony & Aunt Courtney!

Our Little Easter Eggs

HAPPY EASTER & PASSOVER!





LOVE,

LAUREN, ERIC, CARSON & DEAN

Grandma & Grandpa Cross

Here are T-Pop and Jani ( name still undecided ) with Carson and Dean. They have been here helping us get adjusted to our new miracles, new schedule, and helping me get around post c-section. Its been wonderful! We make 2 trips to the hospital daily to spend time with our babies.

The NICU encourages "kangaroo care" (I know it sounds silly). It means to hold the babies chest to chest for at least 1 hr at a time for 1-2 times daily. Its what I look forward to daily. So, there are many "shirtless" pictures of Eric and I bonding with our son and daughter. This allows them to be near us, smell us, bonding, to be warm etc etc etc etc. We typically do it when they are receiving a feeding. They usually sleep, look up at us, and just love it.

Dean is much more fidgety and Carson just "hangs". Carson is alert and wants to look around when she hears us. Dean is a sleeper and stretcher.

They are progressing WONDERFULLY! Their feeding amounts increase daily, their heart and lungs are strong, they are right on track!

Carson & Dean have arrived.

Its been a few days since my last blog and ALOT has happened.

I was just about to be discharged to go home on Saturday when the DR decided to check my cervix one last time. Well, ironically, . . . I was dialated to 4 cm and 1 hour later, I was dialated to 5.5 cm. They dressed me in a gown and told me that the babies were coming that day. I was, once again, devastated and so upset. We were told a 5:00pm c-section. Well, by 3:30pm I hadn't progressed past 5.5 cm and the c-section was put on hold. I thought GOD had answered my prayers and was going to let me make it a little while longer. That had also ended any chances of me going home.

Next day, Sunday April 5th, I woke up feeling great. Not one contraction and everything was normal. 3:30 pm rolled around and I started feeling contractions. I asked to be put on the fetal monitors and they weren't strong or consistent. So, I thought I was over-reacting. Between 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm I went back on the fetal monitors because - for the first time - my contractions were strong and painful. They were 5 - 7 minutes apart. The DR came in, I was dialated 8 cm, and it was time. I had cried all my tears the day before, we had spoken with the neonatologists, and accepted that Eric and I were going to have premature babies and was ready to face it head on. At 10:42 pm CARSON BELLE MARGULIES came out crying, which was GREAT to hear. One minute later, at 10:43 pm, DEAN JENNINGS MARGULIES, came out crying. Two minutes that changed both our lives. Carson weighed 3.7 lbs and Dean weighed 3.19 lbs.

They have, as expected, lost a little weight which they will do this first week. If I can mentally just get past this first week, I know two chubby babies are in our future. They are both taking breast milk thru a feeding tube and for the most part breathing on their own. Occasionally they need a little help. They are blonde, with peach fuzz, and beautiful. Dean is already sucking on a pacifier and has this amazing little grip. Carson is calm, has dainty little hands, and very observant. Eric & I are madly in love with these two tiny miracles and know that we can all overcome this. They are expected to be here for 6 - 8 weeks and I will be here each and every day cheering them on, bonding with them, and just falling more and more in love with them.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful emails and texts. It has been the most stressful time in both of our lives. I am ready to step off of this emotional roller coaster.

****For the record, Carson's middle name is in honor of Eric's grandmother Rheabel. Dean's middle name is after my grandfather who was Leslie Jennings Jones.****

MEURICE, I'M COMING HOME!!!!

This morning Eric & I saw the DR and had an ultrasound. The babies look wonderful, everything is right on track. Little girl is so, so, so low - - - trying to make a great escape. Her head is already cone shaped since she's jammed down there. Little boy, like always, is in a completely different spot from last time. His feet are down by her head, so they are opposite. The two best things about being pregnant are the ultrasounds and the kicking - - - only the mother and father to be can really appreciate that. His estimated weight is 2.11 lbs and she her's 3.6 lbs. They said her's is probably off because they are estimating the weight of her head, since she is so low, they can't get an actual read. Nonetheless, she is bigger than him.

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 am I am going home. The DR said there's no reason why I can't do bed rest at home. We are transferring our service to remain at this hospital, just in case anything is to happen, we are comfortable and confident in the NICU here. My mom and dad are coming up and will be here to help out next week as we adjust to a new routine.

Thank you everyone for your good thoughts, prayers, and helping us out. We really appreciate it.

Thursday - CHECK

Another day down - - - well almost. (its only 6pm). 8:00 am tomorrow is when we'll see the high risk physician who'll administer the ultra sound and check everything out. If things are ok, I'm going home! It'll be nice to be on bed rest in my bed and not this hospital bed that automatically adjusts itself every 45 seconds. So, we'll see. . . .

The Nursery & The Bathroom

Here's the nursery! My dad painted the room a pretty bunny grey color and, along with Eric, installed the ceiling fan. I wanted the nursery to be soft and whimsical. I love the way it turned out! The pictures hanging behind the cribs are vintage nursery rhymes that I found in an old book and had framed. They are Humpty Dumpty, Pat-a-cake, and Ba-Ba-Black Sheep. We also received an old book from the 1960s called "Eggbert & Eggberta" which are a set of boy & girl twins in the womb. In the book they talk about being in there and their plan for when they get out. We picked three and had them framed and hung them next to the dresser. They are really funny. My mom and Eric washed the linens and bedding and made up the cribs. I can't wait to see it!!











My mom purchased this Dr. Seuss bathroom theme from Pottery Barn Kids and put it together when she was here. We wanted the bathroom to be kiddish and fun. This is just a start (as I still want to hang art and get more accessories). Her and Eric brought pictures of it to me, I can't wait to see it in person.