Days 119-126 - May 22-29

We should be going home this weekend! The latest word (which seems to change everyday, haha) from the girls' doctors is that if everything goes smoothly the next few days, both girls will be going home with us on Sunday.

I haven't taken any pictures the past week, so sorry about that.  Today's post will be info only.  Let's do eye stuff first.  The girls had an eye exam on Thursday, and are both still stable.  Aubrey's ridge (one of the signs of ROP) has disappeared, and Paige wasn't any worse than before.  The plan is for the ophthalmologist to see the girls again this week to check for any changes.

Both girls have been eating well, especially Aubrey.  Aubrey has really taken off in the eating department.  As I explained in the previous post, she was switched over to Enfamil AR formula, which is a spit up formula.  Prior to the switch, it was a good feed for her if she took 30 mL (1 ounce) by bottle.  Now she takes 80 mL or more (about 3 ounces) pretty much every time she eats, which is enough to extend her feeding to every 4 hours instead of 3 so that she can get more sleep.  Her nasal feeding tube was taken out 6 or 7 days ago, and she has really had no problems eating.  It's nice to be able to see a baby face with no tubes attached to it.  It was pretty amazing seeing her go from not eating well to pigging out in such a short amount of time.  Aubrey is probably ready to come home now, but the NICU is nice enough to let her stay a few extra days so that we don't have one baby at home and one in the hospital.

If you compare the eating progress of the two girls to the story of the tortoise and the hare, Paige is definitely the tortoise.  She hasn't made the quick progress that her sister has made, but she hasn't had the setbacks, either.  She continues to slowly improve each day, and has been taking enough by bottle to not need to use her feeding tube.  She is very consistent at taking 50 to 60 mL each feeding (about 2 ounces), which means she has to eat every 3 hours.  Her feeding tube is still in "just in case" and also to give her medications so that she doesn't have to taste them.  Paige is still eating fortified breast milk, and her reflux appears to be minimal.  Paige does not eat very fast, so we have to be very patient with her when she eats.  She seems to like to take a little "siesta" in the middle of her feedings, which is a little frustrating for us.

Paige will be coming home on oxygen and will probably have to remain on it for 3 to 6 months until her lungs can catch up to her.

Well, that about does it for today.  It's weight time! The girls' adjusted age for gestation is 5 weeks, and their actual age is 4 months.

Aubrey:

     Day 1 -     2 lbs 2 oz     14 inches
     Day 8 -     2 lbs 7 oz
     Day 17 -   2 lbs 11 oz
     Day 27 -   3 lbs 1 oz
     Day 36 -   3 lbs 4 oz

     Day 46 -   3 lbs 7 oz     16 inches

     Day 56 -   4 lbs 0 oz

     Day 62 -   4 lbs 9 oz     16 1/2 inches

     Day 72 -   4 lbs 14 oz   17 1/2 inches

     Day 80 -   5 lbs 5 oz

     Day 88 -   5 lbs 14 oz   18 inches

     Day 102 - 6 lbs 6 oz

     Day 110 - 6 lbs 15 oz 

     Day 118 - 7 lbs 6 oz     19 1/2 inches

     Day 126 - 7 lbs 8 oz

Paige:
     Day 1 -     1 lbs 13 oz   14 1/2 inches
     Day 8 -     1 lbs 12 oz
     Day 17 -   2 lbs 2 oz
     Day 27 -   2 lbs 10 oz

     Day 36 -   2 lbs 13 oz

     Day 46 -   3 lbs 5 oz     16 1/2 inches

     Day 56 -   3 lbs 10 oz

     Day 62 -   4 lbs 1 oz     17 1/2 inches

     Day 72 -   4 lbs 4 oz     18 inches

     Day 80 -   4 lbs 14 oz

     Day 88 -   5 lbs 0 oz     18 inches

     Day 102 - 6 lbs 2 oz

     Day 110 - 6 lbs 7 oz

     Day 118 - 6 lbs 12 oz   19 inches

     Day 126 - 7 lbs 1 oz