I thought holding Lane and Sloan in my arms was the best 45 minutes of my life, but I was wrong! Holding them skin to skin was even better!! It was amazing feeling their little fingers and toes wiggle against my chest, and feeling their chest rise up and down. They both did extremely well during that time, that we are hoping to make this part of our daily routine. I can't wait to hold again tomorrow:)
Both Lane and Sloan gained weight tonight. She gained a little over an ounce and now weighs 2 ounces 5 pounds. Her little cheeks, legs, and arms are beginning to fill out. Sloan gained 10 grams. It was not enough to make him 1 pound 14 ounces, but we are still excited about the gain! Lane is starting to look quite a bit bigger than Sloan, so we are hoping he starts to catch up with his sister soon. As of tonight, both babies are receiving an extra 4 calories with each feeding. I know it doesn't sound like much, but when they are only getting 26 calories with each feeding 4 more sure is nice! We are hoping that will help with weight gain as well.
Lane's ventilator rate did go down to 17 lastnight, but she wasn't tolerating it as well as they would have liked so it is back to 19 today. Maybe tomorrow morning we will walk in and see it back to 17. Sloan's rate was lowered quite a bit yesterday. He started the day at 45 and by the end of the day it was 28! We are so happy with their progress.
Our family and friends will have to remind us of this, but Scott and I can't wait to hear them cry!!:) Once they are off the ventilator we will finally be able to hear our little babies! Our prayers are that day is soon.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Good Weekend!
We are wrapping up a great weekend!
Lane and Sloan's lungs are getting stronger, and they were able to have their vent settings lowered. Lane's rate is at a 19 and each day she tolerates it, it is lowered by two. When her rate reaches 15 (hopefully in a couple of days), she will be put on automode. This allows her to continue breathing on her own, but if she misses a breath automode steps in and gives her one. Sloan's rate is a little higher at 45. His rate will be lowered by two starting tomorrow. Scott and I are starting to see the end of the ventilator in sight and we couldn't be more thrilled!
Both Lane's and Sloan's weight have fluctuated in the last three days. Lane has gained 10 grams, lost 10 grams, and then gained them back today. She still weighs 2 pounds 2 ounces. Sloan is at 1 pound 13 ounces. He has lost a couple of ounces, but he is also breathing so much better so we know he is gettind rid of some of the fluid on his lungs.
Scott and I got to enjoy the weekend with some of my best friends from Gruver and my parents. It was nice to go out to eat, visit, and even sneak in a manicure!
We are ready to start a new week and see what's in store for our little ones!
Lane and Sloan's lungs are getting stronger, and they were able to have their vent settings lowered. Lane's rate is at a 19 and each day she tolerates it, it is lowered by two. When her rate reaches 15 (hopefully in a couple of days), she will be put on automode. This allows her to continue breathing on her own, but if she misses a breath automode steps in and gives her one. Sloan's rate is a little higher at 45. His rate will be lowered by two starting tomorrow. Scott and I are starting to see the end of the ventilator in sight and we couldn't be more thrilled!
Both Lane's and Sloan's weight have fluctuated in the last three days. Lane has gained 10 grams, lost 10 grams, and then gained them back today. She still weighs 2 pounds 2 ounces. Sloan is at 1 pound 13 ounces. He has lost a couple of ounces, but he is also breathing so much better so we know he is gettind rid of some of the fluid on his lungs.
Scott and I got to enjoy the weekend with some of my best friends from Gruver and my parents. It was nice to go out to eat, visit, and even sneak in a manicure!
We are ready to start a new week and see what's in store for our little ones!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Our Tiny Angels at 4 days old
Lane Kathryn
Sloan Benson
Lane's little hand
Their little diapers
Babies' foot print
Thursday, January 6, 2011
One Month Old!!
Our babies are one month old today!!
I didn't get a chance to post anything last night, but we have had an exciting last couple of days. Yesterday I was able to hold Lane Kathryn for the first time, and today I got to hold my precious baby boy! Wow, what an amazing feeling it was! I can't even express in words how great it felt to put my arms completely around them. I could have sit there for days just staring at them. It was also great to see how well they both tolerated it...both Lane and Sloan had high numbers when they were laying with their momma! I know that Scott put a picture of Sloan and I on facebook, but I wish I had a picture of Scott looking at his little man. He was smiling from ear to ear!
Other big news...both Lane and Sloan are now getting full feedings for their weight (16 cc)! Both are completely off of their IV's, but Sloan is receiving steroids to help mature his lungs a little bit more. We are hoping that they both will be able to lower their ventilator settings a little more real soon.
Tonight Lane tipped the scales at 2 pounds 2 ounces. Sloan lost of couple of ounces last night, which was to be expected after the HUGE diaper incident! We walked into the room and the nurse was literally wiping down the entire front of his bed. She reported that when the diaper came off, the poop went everywhere! Daddy was very proud! Sloan did gain an ounce today, so he is now weighing 1 pound 15 ounces. I am sure he will reach the 2 pound mark again tomorrow if he tolerates his food as well as he has been.
We are looking forward to all of the progress this next month has in store for us!
I didn't get a chance to post anything last night, but we have had an exciting last couple of days. Yesterday I was able to hold Lane Kathryn for the first time, and today I got to hold my precious baby boy! Wow, what an amazing feeling it was! I can't even express in words how great it felt to put my arms completely around them. I could have sit there for days just staring at them. It was also great to see how well they both tolerated it...both Lane and Sloan had high numbers when they were laying with their momma! I know that Scott put a picture of Sloan and I on facebook, but I wish I had a picture of Scott looking at his little man. He was smiling from ear to ear!
Other big news...both Lane and Sloan are now getting full feedings for their weight (16 cc)! Both are completely off of their IV's, but Sloan is receiving steroids to help mature his lungs a little bit more. We are hoping that they both will be able to lower their ventilator settings a little more real soon.
Tonight Lane tipped the scales at 2 pounds 2 ounces. Sloan lost of couple of ounces last night, which was to be expected after the HUGE diaper incident! We walked into the room and the nurse was literally wiping down the entire front of his bed. She reported that when the diaper came off, the poop went everywhere! Daddy was very proud! Sloan did gain an ounce today, so he is now weighing 1 pound 15 ounces. I am sure he will reach the 2 pound mark again tomorrow if he tolerates his food as well as he has been.
We are looking forward to all of the progress this next month has in store for us!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sloan's Turn!
Well, our little man Sloan must not have liked all the fuss over his sister last night, because tonight he weighed in at 2 pounds!! Of course, Scott and I could not be more thrilled! Lane gained another 10 grams...not enough to put her at 2 pounds 1 ounce, but we will take the GAIN.
I am proud to announce that both Lane and Sloan had another good day today. Lane has two more days of antibotics, and she continues to feel much better. The little stinker did manage to pull out her feeding tube TWICE this morning! I happened to be there for the second time and had a moment of panic when her stats dropped quickly. Luckily, the nurse quickly noticed her feeding tube was loose, and Lane was able to raise her stats. Mommy's heart drops anytime that alarm goes off. This evening her central line, also called pick line, came loose. It is placed on the inside of her right arm. Now she has a regular IV in her hand. It works just like the central line, only they don't usually last as long. Hopefully it will stay put for awhile so she doesn't have to get poked again. I felt bad for her having to go through everything, but she handled it all very well. She was able to go up on her feedings to 13 1/2 cc. If all goes well, they will increase it to 15 cc (Yep, that is 3 full teaspoons!)
Sloan had one of his best days so far! He is really tolerating his feedings, and he will go up to 15 cc. as well tomorrow. I was able to give him a little massage with some lotion today, and he loved it! We weren't quite sure how he would react, but his numbers were sitting high all during the massage. I worked on him for about 10 minutes, and when I stopped he was not happy. It made mommy feel really good that he enjoyed it so much:) Scott and my parents seem to think he is just like me!
I was told today that there is a possibilty that I will be able to hold them and help with bath time tomorrow if they are having a good day! If so, this will be my first time to get to hold them.
Thank you God for another day of progress for our babies!
I am proud to announce that both Lane and Sloan had another good day today. Lane has two more days of antibotics, and she continues to feel much better. The little stinker did manage to pull out her feeding tube TWICE this morning! I happened to be there for the second time and had a moment of panic when her stats dropped quickly. Luckily, the nurse quickly noticed her feeding tube was loose, and Lane was able to raise her stats. Mommy's heart drops anytime that alarm goes off. This evening her central line, also called pick line, came loose. It is placed on the inside of her right arm. Now she has a regular IV in her hand. It works just like the central line, only they don't usually last as long. Hopefully it will stay put for awhile so she doesn't have to get poked again. I felt bad for her having to go through everything, but she handled it all very well. She was able to go up on her feedings to 13 1/2 cc. If all goes well, they will increase it to 15 cc (Yep, that is 3 full teaspoons!)
Sloan had one of his best days so far! He is really tolerating his feedings, and he will go up to 15 cc. as well tomorrow. I was able to give him a little massage with some lotion today, and he loved it! We weren't quite sure how he would react, but his numbers were sitting high all during the massage. I worked on him for about 10 minutes, and when I stopped he was not happy. It made mommy feel really good that he enjoyed it so much:) Scott and my parents seem to think he is just like me!
I was told today that there is a possibilty that I will be able to hold them and help with bath time tomorrow if they are having a good day! If so, this will be my first time to get to hold them.
Thank you God for another day of progress for our babies!
Monday, January 3, 2011
BIG DAY!
Drum roll please.......Lane Kathryn is now 2 pounds!!! I had to refrain from jumping up and down in the NICU after the nurse weighed her! Sloan is so close. He also had a weight gain today, and is now weighing 1 lb. 14 oz.
Both Lane and Sloan had a good day today. Sloan's blood cultures came back and his infection is finally GONE! He did have another x-ray this morning, and he continues to have some fluid in his lungs. The doctors are giving him some medicine with his milk to help him lose some of the fluid. Before I change his diaper, I say a quick prayer for a wet diaper:) Sloan tolerated all of his feedings really well today, and tomorrow at 2:00 he should be able to increase his intake to 12 cc. (16 cc is a full feeding for him right now). To give you an idea of how much that is...5 cc is equivalent to 1 teaspoon. They are both fed through a feeding tube that goes straight to their stomach.
Lane also had an x-ray this morning, and her lungs looked good. Praise GOD! Her ventilator settings have been lowered the past couple of days, as she has been breathing more on her on. Lane also tolerated her feedings very well, and she will be able to go up to 12 cc as well tomorrow. (17 cc is a full feeding for my little 2-pounder!) She also tolerated her assesments today a little better than yesterday.
As you can see, Scott and I have a lot to be thankful for today! Thank you for your continued prayers....HE is listening!
Both Lane and Sloan had a good day today. Sloan's blood cultures came back and his infection is finally GONE! He did have another x-ray this morning, and he continues to have some fluid in his lungs. The doctors are giving him some medicine with his milk to help him lose some of the fluid. Before I change his diaper, I say a quick prayer for a wet diaper:) Sloan tolerated all of his feedings really well today, and tomorrow at 2:00 he should be able to increase his intake to 12 cc. (16 cc is a full feeding for him right now). To give you an idea of how much that is...5 cc is equivalent to 1 teaspoon. They are both fed through a feeding tube that goes straight to their stomach.
Lane also had an x-ray this morning, and her lungs looked good. Praise GOD! Her ventilator settings have been lowered the past couple of days, as she has been breathing more on her on. Lane also tolerated her feedings very well, and she will be able to go up to 12 cc as well tomorrow. (17 cc is a full feeding for my little 2-pounder!) She also tolerated her assesments today a little better than yesterday.
As you can see, Scott and I have a lot to be thankful for today! Thank you for your continued prayers....HE is listening!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Stedje Babies are Here!
3 1/2 weeks ago on December 9th, my husband Scott and I welcomed our precious, tiny triplets into this world. It was a day we had anticipated since we saw 3 little peanuts on the ultrasound, only they were 15 weeks early. On December 9th at 12:50 p.m., I was wheeled into the operating room with my sweet husband by my side. We were both terrified not knowing what was in store for us in the next few minutes. I remember him holding my hand and telling me over and over how great I was doing. About 15 minutes later at 1:05 our first son, Jens Brenner was born. He was 1 lb. 10 oz. Our baby girl, Lane Kathryn was born at 1:06. She was 1 lb. 6 oz. Another minute later at 1:07, our second son, Sloan Benson was born. He also weighed in at 1 lb. 6 oz. When I woke up in the recovery room an hour later, I was blessed to find out that all three of my babies had made it through the delivery. I looked over at Scott who was sitting right next to me, and I know I will never forget the look on his face and the way his voice sounded as he was talking about our babies.He was telling me about each one of them, calling them by name, with a huge smile on his face. Right then and there I realized that while we had a long road ahead of us, our lives would become better, richer, fuller with each passing day. Our dream of becoming parents had come true.
It is now January 2nd, and a lot has happened in the past 3 1/2 weeks.We have had our ups and downs in the NICU with each passing hour and day. Our hearts broke when we got the phone call at midnight on December 16th, that our son Jens was having some complications and we needed to come in right away. Scott and I rode the 3 minutes to the hospital in silence as we knew what the phone call meant. Our precious baby boy fought all through the night with his daddy right by his side, and at 6:00 a.m. Jens went to be with the Lord. We were able to hold him for the first time and let him know how much we love him.
As much as we hurt and struggled over the loss of Jens, we knew we had two other babies that needed their mom and dad.
Lane and Sloan are now almost a month old and are progressing every day. We are learning the meaning of "baby steps" and the phrase "two steps forward and one step back". Scott and I spend our days going back and forth to the NICU and the Ronald McDonald house where we are so fortunate enough to get to stay. Lane is now 1 lb. 15 oz. and continues to amaze us everyday. She is a tough little girl! Sloan is now 1 lb. 13 oz. and is fighting an infection, but getting stronger everyday. This blog is for all of our sweet, caring family and friends who have all been extremely supportive. We are blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives.
It is now January 2nd, and a lot has happened in the past 3 1/2 weeks.We have had our ups and downs in the NICU with each passing hour and day. Our hearts broke when we got the phone call at midnight on December 16th, that our son Jens was having some complications and we needed to come in right away. Scott and I rode the 3 minutes to the hospital in silence as we knew what the phone call meant. Our precious baby boy fought all through the night with his daddy right by his side, and at 6:00 a.m. Jens went to be with the Lord. We were able to hold him for the first time and let him know how much we love him.
As much as we hurt and struggled over the loss of Jens, we knew we had two other babies that needed their mom and dad.
Lane and Sloan are now almost a month old and are progressing every day. We are learning the meaning of "baby steps" and the phrase "two steps forward and one step back". Scott and I spend our days going back and forth to the NICU and the Ronald McDonald house where we are so fortunate enough to get to stay. Lane is now 1 lb. 15 oz. and continues to amaze us everyday. She is a tough little girl! Sloan is now 1 lb. 13 oz. and is fighting an infection, but getting stronger everyday. This blog is for all of our sweet, caring family and friends who have all been extremely supportive. We are blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives.
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