One Step Forward... A Bunch of Steps Back

The NICU journey is a long and horrible one. I can remember getting up each morning and having no idea how the day would go. Sometimes it would be a slow and uneventful day and then sometimes I felt like I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. When your baby is in the hospital you can make no long term plans because you live for the day. The old saying goes "one step forward and two steps back," but really at times it felt more like one step forward and a bunch of steps back. There would be a couple of good days and then one of my girls (or both) would get really sick or need a new test and have a set back. As they get bigger it does get easier and better. I can remember a nurse practitioner telling me that it really gets better once they reach 3 pounds. There  is a lot of truth to the statement, but the reality is Abigail and Elizabeth are micro preemies and we still have obstacles to face. I just keep the faith and enjoy the day. I still can't really make long term plans, but that's okay with me. If you are NICU/preemie mom I recommend to try not to worry about the future because it will drive you crazy. And when you think about one step forward and two steps back, just remember there will be a step forward! That's what I have to keep telling myself. :) 

7 Doctors and Keeping It All Organized

These are the 7 doctors that follow my girls regularly.

GI Doc

Neurosurgeon

Eye doctor

Audiologist

Pulmonolgist

Pediatrician

Developmental Doctors

When the girls were in the NICU no one really prepared me for the amount of doctors appointments that would be in our future.  I don't mind the appointments, but there can be a lot of paperwork and things to remember.  

For some reason my brain has developed some type of super memory power because I can  tell you anything you need to know about their medical history starting from day one. This isn't true in other areas of my life. I am the type of person that usually has to write myself a note to remember. I can remember everything, but I needed a way to organize all the paperwork I received after each appointment. 

I have always liked to be organized so I now keep a binder with all of the girls important documentation. I totally recommend this is other NICU/preemie moms. The amount of paperwork you will get will totally surprise you. I have dividers in my binder to help me stay organized. Some of my dividers include pulmonary, GI, and NICU Follow-Up. This seems to be the only way I can keep track of all of their records and documentation. I even have a separate binder for their physical/occupational therapy documentation. 

For their first few doctors appointments I brought the binder with me so I could refer back to it if I needed it for anything. I don't bring it with me anymore,  but after every appointment I file away their appointment documents in the binder. 

I totally recommend NICU moms to get yourself a binder or develop your own method of organization because there will be a ton of doctors appointments and documents in your future. 

Preemie Parent Conference

FYI- Here is some information on a conference for preemie parents. Sounds really wonderful. A specials thanks to my Aunt Jenn for sending it to me!

More County Fair Pics

Here are some additional pictures from our family trip to the fair. We are counting down the days to Flu and RSV season. :( This might be our last trip out for a while.

Puppies and Babies

There isn’t anything cuter than puppies and babies! Last weekend we took the girls to our county fair. At the fair there was a puppy tent and for $1 you could go into the tent and play with all the puppies. Elizabeth is in love with all dogs so we had to take them in. Elizabeth loved every second of it and Abigail enjoyed herself too. Check out the pictures of the girls with the pups.  I bet you say awwww! :)

My Stressful Week

I have had a very stressful week trying to figure out the child care situation for my girls. As some of you are aware, our Au pair was just not right for our family. She really had no experience with infants so she is gone. Abigail and Elizabeth are unable to go to a child care center yet because of their weaker lungs and immune systems. I have been worrying myself sick and losing sleep trying to figure this out. I keep the faith that someone perfect will pop up. As a mom of preemies this is just another situation where I just tell myself to keep on moving! If you are a NICU/preemie mom out there having a bad week also, I pray that you keep on moving too!

Enjoy these cute pictures of the girls! 

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

The girls started to get their baths in the NICU. It broke my heart when I learned that I wasn't the first person to give my girls their bath, but it's just the nature of the beast when your little ones are in the NICU. Abigail's primary nurse at Hopkins learned quickly that she loved to take a bath. When her health was up and down one thing was certain, a bath always calmed her down. Her heart rate and respirations leveled out. She also would get a good nights sleep. Elizabeth didn't mind taking a bath during her NICU days, but she didn't exactly love it either. Today Abigail still enjoys her bath and she splashes so much that water ends up everywhere. It always makes me laugh. Elizabeth enjoys her bath too, but like with everything else she does she is very serious and likes to check everything out. 

Check out these adorable bath pictures from last week!