We met with the physical therapist today (I think that completes all the therapists we will have to meet). She taught us some moves to help Cole out. Since he was on the vent for over a month, his tongue just falls out of his mouth. It’s not a good thing to have an open mouth all the time when you are on CPAP because air escapes. So we worked on a few exercises to help him build up the muscles in his mouth. All I can tell you is Cole is a sucker. He sucked on my pinky finger with so much vigor, it was amazing. I was also able to see more of his eye and facial movements today. I’m so looking forward to the day when he doesn’t have all this gear on his face.

To be honest, until today I hadn’t seen much of Cole. Every time I visit the NICU, Cole is usually done for the day. Today he was ready for the world. Even the physical therapist was amazed at what came out of his butt. How he isn’t losing weight is anyone’s guess. When I was playing with Cole, he just looked so big to me. Like seriously big. I asked his nurse if he looked puffy at all and she was like he looks fine. We find out later that he was put on lasics because he had accumulated extra fluid in his lungs and body.

Cole was doing pretty good with his experimental helmet until they took a closer look at his head. That helmet was really digging into his head and apparently cut him up pretty bad. They put him on the normal nasal CPAP when Tobie was pumping. They put tape over his cuts with tape so we really don’t know how bad it is (UPDATE: His face looked fine, I think they were more just deep impressions on his face from the gear). The respiratory therapist said Cole really isn’t made for this CPAP because his nostrils aren’t that big, so he is really uncomfortable. Tobie held Cole for a couple of hours and at the end of the hold, Cole got so pissed. He is really uncomfortable again. It might be due to the swelling from the extra fluid he is retaining. Today we heard Cole cry for the first time. It’s kind of sad to hear him cry because you don’t know if he is crying because he is being a baby or in pain.

Paige had another fantastic day. They are slowly weaning her off the CPAP. Slowly….very slowly. When Tobie was holding Paige she was going to town on her pacifier (Paige, not Tobie). When you give the pacifier to the babies, you have to hold in for them. So Tobie lets go of the pacifier for a second and looks away, and when she looks back, Paige is now holding the pacificer in her mouth. Then a few seconds later, Tobie looks away again, and now Paige has her thumb in the pacificer’s hole sucking away. Can you say smartest baby ever?

So tomorrow we meet with all the specialists, therapists, and doctors that are going to help outline the babies’ care for the next few years. I think it will give us a better understanding of what awaits us.

“Don’t shoot, I give up”

“I once caught a fish ‘This Big’!”

Tobie here: Serious posting today.

Some updates: Cole is on the new trial CPAP mask. According to Cole’s nurse it wasn’t the promised invention it was made out to be because it has to be really tight on poor Cole’s head to keep a snug fit so air doesn’t escape, but it is much better than the old CPAP mask because it is a softer plastic. I was able to give Cole at good hold today, it’s been about a week since we’ve had that closeness. It was a little odd holding him because one of my hands goes under his tush, my the other hand supports his head and the nurse had to use one of her hands to keep his mouth shut so the air going up his nose didn’t escape through his mouth. Cole has been looking kind of sad these last couple of days, I know we are so ecstatic he is now on CPAP, but I’m looking forward already to the nasal cannula. Getting ahead of myself…I know.

Paige did not have her bed relocated today as planned. Despite the signs that were placed around our pod yesterday to reserve her future spot for her…a new baby took her spot. I was pretty upset, but tried to be understanding in that sometimes despite the best plans, sometimes these things happen. Nothing we can do now. Paige is doing awesome on the CPAP. So good that the doctor took her off “the Rate” this morning meaning that while she has some airflow going into her nose through the nasal prongs, she is initiating all her own breaths.

Today was the first neonatal developmental rounds involving our babies. All the specialists were there: behavioral therapist, physical specialist, occupational therapist, lactation consultant?, the neonatologist, and the neurologist. Nothing shocking was discussed but specific issues addressed were the babies’ sensory and motor skills and strengths and weaknesses of both babies. In summary, our babies are doing great. It was decided that this week I will learn infant massage for the babies and muscle training for Cole’s jaw. Also our neo-doc wants me to start holding both babies at the same time in the next week or two! How cool!! I am soooo excited for that day but we have to get the babies more settled with the CPAP first.

Eric here: Like I could let Tobie post without day’s reflection. So we brought home some baby clothes from Paige and Cole for the dogs to sniff and get used to. All I can say is weird. So we first show them Paige’s outfit to sniff. They sniff away like there is no tomorrow. Then we hold out Cole’s outfit, Homer likes it, but Moxie sniffs it twice and walks away. We tried it again and the same thing. How weird is that? I’m not sure what it means. On an un-baby note, Moxie has been acting so strange lately. We can’t put our finger on it. I guess Homer has been acting weird too. He is starting to jump up on the couches and chairs. We can only trace this back to my mom allowing the dogs to jump on the couch when she visited. Mom!!!

Tobie also said the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.

Tobie: You know what’s weird?
Eric: What?
Tobie: Since becoming a mom, I’ve started listening to easy listening rock.

That is just too funny.

“What? Do I have something on my face? Is it food? Is there something in my hair? Is it gel? Is it food? What? What is it? Why are you looking at me?”

“Rock and Roll!!!” (see left hand in picture)

Triplet Stroller 4 sale - I guess we won’t be needing it. If anyone wants to buy it, let me know. If you are a family in need, I’ll cut you a good deal.

SL4AGH - Stroller Looking 4 A Good Home