When we got in yesterday, Beckett’s nurse told us that he had a pretty rough night. He had 6 severe spells over night and had to be bagged twice. This was really upsetting to hear and we were prepared for a rough day, but Beckett has done really well since and has not had any issues! They’ve been able to go down on his pain meds, which has helped him be a little less lethargic and more like our normal wiggly guy. They did add in a video feed to complement his EEG so they can get a better read on his brain activity and make sure he’s not having any seizures, but the neuro team told us his brain activity looks very developmentally appropriate. After getting such scary news about his previous night, it’s been amazing to see him doing well. 

Juliette is still doing great and is a very feisty and active girl. She really gave one doctor a run for his money when he was trying to do a heart echo because she never stops squirming. When I was pregnant, I often googled “how much should babies be sleeping in the womb?” because it seemed like she never stopped kicking me, so it’s funny to see her continuing this behavior outside of my womb. Even when she was being delivered, she shoved one arm out first, which had to be pushed back in before she could come out. She went up on feeds again yesterday and today and is almost back up to her birth weight! Her nurse (one of our favorites) went home on Monday and searched for pink ribbon to make her an adorable giant bow. 

If Juliette continues to do well, I’ll get to hold her when she hits 14 days on Sunday. Beckett possibly as well, it just depends on some of the lines he currently has in and whether they can take them out by then. Dan and I weren’t sure when this would happen, but it’s incredibly exciting news and something we’ve been really looking forward to. It was so hard to give birth after such a stressful, uncertain 24 hours and not be able to hold or touch my babies, then watch them get wheeled out of the room and not get to see them for several hours. We’ve appreciated all that the nurses do to include us in their cares, but skin to skin holds will be good for all of us. 

On our way out of the hospital today, we met another NICU mom whose twin girl has been discharged, but baby brother is still in the hospital. She said that she delivered at 24 weeks as well and they are 5 months into their NICU stay. We got a room at the Ronald McDonald house last night and we’re feeling very grateful that we’ll have secure lodging so close to the hospital (while still being able to run home a couple times a week to repack), especially with the reminder that there’s always the possibility this journey could last past their August due date. We’re still trying to take it one day at a time and having good days like this makes the long road ahead of us seem more manageable.