Pod E Ain't So Bad

We are getting more comfortable in NICU "pod E", which is just one room of 5 that has 12 baby stations (for a total of 60 NICU beds). Now that Colin and Brandon are beside each other, and have the same nurse, it makes things so much easier and less stressful. Plus we met an awesome nurse named Dee, who talked to the charge nurse and asked her to schedule the same nurse for both boys if at all possible, and she is now Colin and Brandon's "primary nurse," which she explained just means that if she is scheduled to work she will most likely be assigned to the boys. She is very sweet and easy to talk to and she seems to really like working with our little guys. Plus we've seen her dash over to Brandon and Colin more than once when they are having a spell so we know she is very aware of what is going on with them. Unfortunately she can't work 24/7 though :) so we're keeping a look out for a couple of other good nurses that we develop a rapport with to ask them to be secondary nurses, especially for night shift.

As of last night Brandon weighed in at 3lb 1.3oz so both of our boys are over the 3lb mark now - yippee! And they have lowered Brandon's oxygen down to .7L, and completely took Colin off of oxygen this morning. Colin had a few spells today (though he almost always corrected himself and didn't need stimulation) but its possible he may go back on oxygen for a little bit if they continue. But for now the only tube Colin has is the NG tube, and both boys have had those little velcro dots removed from their temples (they were for the "sunglasses" when they were under the bili-light). So hopefully neither will have to go back under the phototherapy!

The past two days I have got to hold both boys several times and usually for over an hour each time, which I just love. Yesterday as soon as I started holding Colin I heard an ominous rumble in his tummy. Shortly thereafter I caught wind of a stench that was unmistakable, but rather than put my precious feller back in the isolette I continued to hold him and keep the stank "under wraps" with a blanket, LOL. When nurse Dee got him from me 45 minutes later to put him back she said "Lordy, your momma must really love you to hold you for so long in spite of that smell!", haha :)

My mom thinks I should print this blog out and put it in their baby books later. Brandon and Colin are going to be so mortified if I do that, heh. But I figure its never too early to start embarrassing your kids ;-)

Below are some pictures of Brandon taken a couple of days ago. Unfortunately Colin's pictures turned out too dark and blurry :(





But where we're short on pictures of Colin we make up with video below :) The last two videos of Colin taken today are a little dark though...I just hate to turn on the light sometimes and make them squint.

Brandon on 6/14/2009
Colin on 6/14/2009
Colin on 6/16/2009
Colin with pacifier on 6/16/2009