Boarding...

We stayed at the hospital last night. We found out that we could stay free of charge if approved by the hospital's social worker. After visiting Ethan and Sydney until about midnight, we headed to our room. Doug blew up our new air mattress that we've used once. When we realized that it wasn't holding air, we opted to share the hospital bed for the night. Yes, it is a twin-sized bed. After a long day, I was exhausted and not excited about the idea (sorry Doug), but didn't want to go home. Ironically, we both slept so hard and Doug's cell phone alarm was set incorrectly...so we didn't wake up until 6 am! I leapt out of bed and ran for the pump. I've joked with the nurses here that the pump is my best friend...we get along great!

It was great to see the babies when we woke up and then took a short nap and came to see them again. I tell them both that they are my favorites (it's a good think I can say "favorite boy" and "favorite girl"). The update:

- Sydney is up to 21 cc per feeding. That is pretty amazing--almost 1 oz (30 cc)!

- Ethan is up to 25 cc per feeding. Again, we're thrilled.

- They are both off the bilirubin lights and free from their glasses. We thought they were so cute when we first saw them but are so glad to see them go!

- They are both down to 1 liter on respiratory support (I believe it's 1 liter per second of forced room air)

- Their feeding tubes are moving from their mouth to their nose. This will make the nurses' lives easier. Both Ethan and Sydney love to yank on their feeding tubes and nasal cannula (Oxygen).

- They are moved to 40% humidity instead of 50%. They put them on humidity to help them maintain their body weight. We didn't really care at first, but now they require us to wear gloves when we touch them because humid air is a breeding ground for bacteria. Lame.

- They have both gained weight. Ethan is weighing in at 3 lbs 9 oz and Sydney was 3 lbs 8 oz this morning, but 3 lb 6 oz this evening. Evidently, when they start gaining weight (which will happen in the next few days) they will gain 15-30 grams (.5-1 oz) per night.

Grandma Marchant came to visit the babies today.

The nurse last night told us that she is off shifts for 5 days and when she comes back she fully expects they will be off their picc lines and respiratory support. We were encouraged to have an idea of how long this would last. At that point, they would put them in the same bed together.

Today is another good day. Doug and I have really enjoyed being close to them for the whole day. We waited until after shift changes for their bath time. They looked so cute all clean. I told Doug that these are our new date nights...being with our babies. We love it. Here is a cute video of Sydney's bath. (I posted videos from last night this afternoon...see post below).

Ethan was a little wild during his bath as well. I didn't have an appropriate video where he wasn't exposed...so here is a photo.

Ethan all cleaned up.

Sydney was relaxed after her stressful bath experience. She is so precious. I can tell the difference between their two faces now. They are looking older.