Update on the girls

Well, Alyssa and Sierra just completed their first graduation today. They have been removed from the jaundice lights and have been taken out of NICU. They are now in incubators. They are also being started on bottle feeding. Once they are able to accomplish the bottle feeding they will be able to start breastfeeding. They do not anticipate any problems in the switch since both girls have been getting my expressed breast milk and seem to like the taste. I am confident that once we try breastfeeding and they know that is where it comes from, it will be a pretty smooth transition.

Also, they are still on IVs because they are not quite getting enough fluids, but they are being increased at least every other day. It was really awesome to see them out of the NICU and in the incubators, although it is a little awkward trying to take their temperatures and change their diapers, both of which we have been doing since they were first admitted to NICU.

Alyssa and Sierra,
Good job girls on all the progress, they day is getting here soon when we will be able to bring you home. We love you very much and are very proud of both of you.

Introducing...

On Thursday, I went into labor at about 8:30 pm. We were admitted to the hospital after our scheduled visit with my doctor.

After continuing to labor and getting evaluated by the doctors, they decided that it was time to meet my daughters. I delivered them at 4:53 and 4:54 pm on Friday via c-section. So, I would like to introduce to you all my precious daughters.

Sierra Dawn Carter. Born: 4:53. 5lbs, 17.2" long

Alyssa Leighanne Carter. Born: 4:54 pm, 4lbs 10.7 oz, 16 1/4"

Unfortunately, they will not be able to come home until about 2 weeks after they were born. They were 6 weeks premature and are receiving help from the wonderful nurses at Integris Southwest to be able to come home. They have a small amount of Jondas that is being treated, and they will need to be able to maintain their body heat, feed on their own, and hold down their food before they will be released. They anticipate their ability to overcome these difficulties in about 2 weeks. I can not wait to be able to bring them home.

Sierra had a small problem with her breathing that she has already overcome. She had to be on a cpac machine that pushed extra air into her lungs when she breathed. She was a little weak from the delivery and was unable to fully fill her lungs at first. Within 48 hours, she was able to do so, and was promptly removed from the machine. She is doing much better, but will still have to meet with an orthopedic surgeon because she has club feet and it will need to be corrected. They have a few options to be able to do so, one is a cast in which they would gradually force her feet to be corrected, they can also do this with a splint. If theses do not work, she will need to undergo surgery to correct them, but they are correctable.

Welcome my sweet daughters. We are so happy to finally meet you, and are looking forward to bringing you home.

Picture

Well, the request has come in, so here you all go. Here is a picture of me recently. 33 weeks pregnant as of today.

Goodnight everyone.