Now both babies are jaundiced and under bili lights, but otherwise doing well.

Jim had a breakdown of sorts today. He has gone 7 days with hardly and sleep and not eating right. I have been wondering when all of this would get to him. There are so many things he just isnt comprehending at this time. Jess told him this morning she doesnt remember or miss the babies. That really upset Jim. I had to explain to him that she has had a very difficult week being on total bedrest, pumped full of drugs 24/7 and then a C-Section on top of it all. She saw the babies right after they were born before they were taken to Childrens Hospital but she doesnt remember it - she was still under the anesthesia. I talked with Jim and told him she has to get well first and that is not going to happen over night. I think it's dawning on him that Jess coming home is not going to make things they way they were - that she will still be healing and will need her rest if she is ever to get well enough to take care of her babies.

I figured this would all start soon. They have never been thru anything like this and have no idea what the next hour will bring. I have been thru this exact same scenario, so Ive been trying to tell them but you cant - they have to experience it for themselves.

Its a shame this didnt turn out to be a perfect time for them - but they are so much luckier than others whose children may not live or if they do, may never be normal.... They just cant see that right now. Exhaustion can do these things to you. I think I need to take my son some of my night night pills (ambien) so he can get a good nights sleep.

The pictures are so adorable Rita!!!

It is going to be hard on Jim and Jess but they have a WONDERFUL person right there to give them support and advice, and the obstacles they overcome will only make their love for each other and their family stronger.

AWWW RITA... Soon this will all be just a memory to be recalled to friends and family at gatherings. Poor Jim has been the one going through ALL the different emotions... and poor Jess has only been able to see and feel things through a fog of drugs. They are both in my prayers as much as they ever were before. Having the babies was just one hurdle they had to get over. Now they have to learn how to be a family... not just a couple. Bless Jim's heart. I am sure he had expectations of what it would be like once lil Harry and Rosie were here. Due to the uncertain situation they were born into and all the emotions I am sure it has been nothing like the thought it would be.

It will settle down. I hope he realizes how good he has it with such a wonderful mother as yourself Rita!! I hope I can be half the mother/ grandmother you are when the time comes! YOU ROCK!!!! Through all of this I think you have just been Jim's ROCK. I think we should nominate you for mother/ grandmother of the year

Love ya Rita!!

I ditto what Glider_Mommy said! She said it all so well.

You have been amazing for both of them and no, unfortunately you can't make them understand by telling them. They do have to learn it by themselves. I am sure that is frustrating for you as you want to make it all better. Maybe a little night night pill would be a good idea. It is so hard to function when you are exhausted. I hope Jess is getting the rest she needs.

The babies are just beautiful!!!!! Thanks for sharing them with us.

HUGS to you all!

"Granny Rita" has a nice ring to it.

Any updates today Rita?

I left work today around 4:00 and went to St Louis to visit my grandbabies. I called Jim to let him know I was coming and he met me there. They are fortunate that Children's Hospital is only maybe 2 miles from where they live.

The babies are doing well. Harry was taken off oxygen today and it totally breathing on his own. Rosie is having a little trouble - she is "forgetting" to breathe. When this happens, lights flash and bells ring. We have to pat her very hard on the butt to get her to "remember" to breathe. I was there about 2 hours and she did this several times. That worries me. Its funny how we all thought Harry was the smaller fragile one. Its turned out he is quite the little scrapper. He just needs to grow up a little bit, but he is doing so well. Rosie is the one who has us a little worried.

Jess went home today. She called Jim crying and said she couldnt stay in the hospital another minute. Even tho the Dr's didnt think it was a good idea for her to leave, they discharged her on the condition she would go right home and not try to see the babies today. Just getting home wore her out, so there was no worry about her going anywhere. She started pumping breast milk yesterday so the babies are being fed well.

Jim is taking Jess to see the babies tomorrow morning. We have all been instructed it is a private thing between the two of them. I ran into my ex-husband, Bob, on my way out and he said he wanted to be there, too and he was thinking of waiting about 30 minutes or so after Jess got there and then show up. He truly feels this will not interfere. I told him I didnt think that was a good idea and we should respect their wishes. Jim had also instructed all of us we were not to hold the babies - that Jess will be the first person to hold them. We have all respected that. I worry that Bob and his wife will not respect their wish for privacy.

quote:

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Originally posted by Eric Coleman

"Granny Rita" has a nice ring to it.

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Eric - that makes me think of the song "Grandma got ran over by a Reindeer" for some reason!!!

They will call me Grammie.

UUGH Rita there is always one set of grandparents that will "think" they know better than the new parents. Maybe Jim will put him in his place if Bob over steps. That is really the best thing that can happen here. Unless Jim does it, BOB will most likely think you are being bossy and nit picky. If Bob only knew that by him "stepping" on Jim and Jess's toes he will only end up making them resent him for not giving them their space. Maybe he will change his mind.... ya think pigs are gonna fly any time soon??? lmao

Oh yeah how are the babies bilirubin levels today?? My oldest.. Christian had to go back into the hospital when she was borm because her bilirubin wouldn't stabelize and got as high as 25. I think the norm is somewhere around 11 or atleast they don't like it any higher than that. Poor thing she was born in January and it was a dreary January... not alot of sun. If I had just fed her a little formula it probably would have helped but she was a breast baby.

Thank god they are doing a lot better than a 28 weeker would do, I bet everybody will be able to look back at this time and tell the story with a smile on their face. Rosie will catch up. And Jess is breast feeding they couldn't get anything better.

quote:

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Originally posted by Rita


The babies are doing well. Harry was taken off oxygen today and it totally breathing on his own. Rosie is having a little trouble - she is "forgetting" to breathe. When this happens, lights flash and bells ring. We have to pat her very hard on the butt to get her to "remember" to breathe. I was there about 2 hours and she did this several times. That worries me.

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My niece is still struggling with apnea. I think this is very common is preemie's for some reason but it is still scary regardless. My sister-in-law would just cry and cry because she thought if she left for 5 mins, she'd stop breathing and no one would come in fast enough. There was a day I sat with her while she was in the hospital for about 3-4 hours just visiting and Ally's monitors went off every 10-15 mins. I can see why it can get so stressful. They assured her it will get better in time and it has, but it's still a minor issue even now. She's been home a week and a half. They have become really aware of what to watch/listen for.

Rita, my cousin was born at 24 weeks and had to stay in the hospital for 4 months. the only thing that ever developed was a slight inner ear problem around 8 years later that was easily fixed. I know the twins will be just fine, sweet and helpful like their grandmother lol

Like I told you all before, Jess went home yesterday against her Dr's wishes.

This morning, Jim took her to see the babies. I am respecting their privacy and will not call to see how things went until I get off work this evening. Still hoping and praying my ex and his wife didnt show up.

I also hope he respects their wishes. I'm so glad she finally gets to see her babies!!!

I am glad she was finally able to see her babies! I hope she is feeling OK and didn't over do it. I hope the ex stayed away. That is frustrating.

Rita I have not been in here for a long time and tonight thought I would peek in...wondered about you and a few othr old timers..but I really wanted to e mail you to see how Jess was doing..I was surprised when I saw this post...I am so so sorry that you and the family have to go through this....Having worked for 4 OB/GYN's I have seen this many many times...it is amazing how well these premie's do....

I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers....I hope Jess and Jim get some rest...and that they remember mom's hormones will be playing havoc for at least 6 weeks...Jess may not be her self...what with worry and hormones and lack of rest.....as time goes on and the babies get bigger and beter..things will calm down...

YOU get some rest also..they will need you to be in top shape to help....I know between you and Jess's mom everyone will be taken care of....I hope the next couple days brings only great news and that all the mama's in your family have a Great Mothers day....take care..be strong

Rita!
I am so glad to hear everyone is doing so well! Rosie is just making sure she is fussed over! I have faith she will be off that machine shortly! Sounds like Little Mr Harry is trying to show he is the BIG brother and is getting his strength together to make sure Momma sees how well he is doing!

Sounds to me like you all have a wonderful family!!!

i just keep reading this post over and over, and hoping that everything turns out well.... i'm so glad that the little guys were born okay and are slowly recovering... i'm sure they already know how much their grandma adores them ;)
i also hope your son and jess were given their privacy today. i know how hard that time can be, my cousin just had her baby (a premie as well), and she wasn't even able to hold her until one week had passed. it can be so hard, and sometimes i wonder if hospitals aren't being overly protective about the special ones. i also completely understand the crazy, up and down rollercoaster of emotions jess must be on, and your son as well! i just pray that they're able to work it out together, especially for your son to be able to understand and support jess while she works out those first few weeks of being detached from those precious babies. i'm sure they both will be wonderful parents, and those babies certainly have a loving grandma!

I havent spoken to Jim or Jess today, but Jim sent me pictures via e-mail of Jess seeing the babies for the first time. They are precious pictures!!! It looks like the day went well for them. I cant wait to hear all about it!!! Enjoy the pictures!

Here is Jim, Jess and Harry





Jess with Harry





Jess with Rosie




Jess & Rosie:

Awwww! Those are great pictures! I am glad to see that your daughter in law is enjoying her babies! Now the need to gain wieght and go home! I am so glad a touchy situation is turning out to be a very happy and fufilling moment of joy!!

It won't be long and you'll have the sound of 4 little feet running all over you!!

CONGRATS!!!

That's great! I do have to say that it isn't fair she looks so good already though. LOL

What a special Mother's Day for all of you.

awe! It's about time we got pics of the new family!

OH RITA!!! JUST AWESOME PICS!!! You tell Jess she is just a beautiful new mom!! She looks like a natural too! Congrats on such a beautiful family Rita!!

They are all so beautiful. Looks like things are looking up!
to all of you!!

Right now, after touching or holding one of the babies, you have to scrub up again before touching the other baby. Thats why we dont have pictures of all 4 of them together yet.

Im going up there tomorrow and will get to hold them for the first time!!!! I cant wait.

What a wonderful Mother's day adventure!
Congrats to the new family! I have to agree... such small babies are so scary... but it appears that Jess and Jim look like seasoned Vets!

Have a wonderful Mother's day with your son, daughter in law and most of all those beautiful grandbabies!

Aww Rita they are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the pics with us. Tell Jess if she has trouble with milk supply, to eat lots of oatmeal. You can eat oatmeal cookies or like the Oatmeal Quaker bars if she doesn't like actual oatmeal cereal.

I totally don't blame Jess for checking out early. It is hard to get good sleep and rest in hospital. She looks like she is doing really good too, I think I looked like a mess for 2 weeks after my C-Section. Well I still do. LOL

Do they have many preemie clothes? I noticed in Walmart last night they had some on clearance. I have to check out the baby section every time I'm in there. It's an obsession. :P

YAAAAYY!!!

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Originally posted by CritterHill

Aww Rita they are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the pics with us. Tell Jess if she has trouble with milk supply, to eat lots of oatmeal. You can eat oatmeal cookies or like the Oatmeal Quaker bars if she doesn't like actual oatmeal cereal.

I totally don't blame Jess for checking out early. It is hard to get good sleep and rest in hospital. She looks like she is doing really good too, I think I looked like a mess for 2 weeks after my C-Section. Well I still do. LOL

Do they have many preemie clothes? I noticed in Walmart last night they had some on clearance. I have to check out the baby section every time I'm in there. It's an obsession. :P

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Catherine - thank you for the oatmeal tip. Ill be sure to pass it on to Jess.

Funny you should mention the babyclothes sale! I went to Walmart last night after work - and well - just kind of "stumbled" upon the baby section. And I found preemie clothes on clearance for $1.00 each!!!! I bought Harry and Rosie 5 onesies and 3 pairs of pants each. I would have bought more if they would have had them!!! The newborn sizes looked so large!!! I even think the preemie size will be to big for them - but they will outgrow all of it quickly!!!