We're already following orders!

Mom & Dad told us to, so we did. We pooped...and we've pooped and pooped and pooped ever since. Yes, this was a spontaneous stool, no suppositories used. Since this has happened, both Kian & Ethan's bellies have almost deflated. They were starting to get pretty puffy and rounded which worried both Mom & Dad and some of the doctors. But it wasn't enough worry to do anything about quite yet. So, since Monday they've been stooling without difficulty. Thank God for a simple body function such as defecating- we take that for granted every day!



Kian 18 days old

Yes, Mom did go back to work on Monday. It was a horrendous day emotionally as all she wanted to do was visit the boys, call and check on the boys and sit and hold them. But, she and dad made it through it with only a few texts and phone calls to support each other during the day.

Each is gaining weight. Today- Tuesday- Kian weighs 2lbs 14.4oz and Ethan weighs 2lbs 12.8oz. They have increased each of their feedings to 10ml every 3 hours and both are tolerating it. However, both have increased their need for oxygen through their CPAP machines. After talking with a doctor, this could be for a number of reasons, but for right now, we're assuming its because of them just being themselves and being premature. Our doctor is on vacation right now, making Mom & Dad a bit nervous, but we're just needing to get through this week.

Ethan 18 days old


Mom had her 2 week check today with her doctor. Everything is fine and we're healing as scheduled. We brought our family picture in for our doc and he gushed over the boys cuteness and then gave me a hug saying how good of a job "we" all did. We are so thankful for him and his care and getting us to >27 weeks. Until next year...

Mom & Dad have been able to hold both boys for extended periods of time. They do extremely well in our arms. Their respiratory rates and O2 sats seem to level out & stabilize when lying on our chests and snuggling. It does good for both babies and parents to bond this early.

By the end of our snuggle time, the nurses have to peel Kian and Ethan away from us! We just count the hours until our next hands on and holding time.



Once again, we found one of our boys in the most interesting of positions. Here's how we found Ethan one afternoon. He seemed comfortable and relaxed and wasn't interested in moving!



Mom & Dad think they are making significant improvements. They each have their minor problems, but overall they're growing well. Ethan is breathing well and tolerating being on room air through his CPAP. He's honery and has many crabby spells. He has his difficulties having bowel movements and we pray every day for a stool from him. It's been days, but he seems to be digesting his food very well. We just keep crossing our fingers! Ethan is gaining weight. He now weighs 2lbs 8.4oz! Yay!
Kian is a little more "floaty" on his oxygen. Sometimes he needs more-sometimes less. He's more laid back- as expected. He's stooling up to 4 times per day and digesting his food well too. He's gained weight. As of Christmas, he was weighing 2lbs 10.5oz. What a fatty!!




Here's a pic from Saturday, December 27 with Dad holding Kian and Mom holding Ethan during kangaroo care. We were able to hold them for over 70minutes and once again the nurses had to peel them away from us. They are doing so well! Mom goes back to work on Monday and it will be difficult not to be around them all the time, but for Mom's sanity, it's probably best. She'll only be a building away and hopefully will be able to sneek away for lunch for a visit. We'll continue our visiting schedule with a 7:30AM wake up visit, Mom will visit during lunch and Mom and Dad will be back after work at 7:30 for some quality time. It doesn't leave us much time for poor Zio, but our neighbor has agreed to give him some quality care during this busy/stressful time.

Thanks to all for your love, support and prayers!

The Madjids come to visit!

Grammie, Baba Jun & Uncle Andy came all the way from California to visit Ethan and Kian. We all had a wonderful time and they enjoyed meeting their 1st grandsons. It was love at first site!

We've grown up a lot in the last few days!

Ethan (above) and Kian (below) are ready for their first Tulsa game!






We find our boys in the funniest positions...Kian relaxing



A day after Ethan was able to do skin-to-skin with Mom, Kian was allowed to. His breathing was never better when lying with Mom. I guess he finds her relaxing and loves to snuggle!

Our 1st Christmas together!

Kian's Christmas card to Mom & Dad



The nurses in the NICU put together a Christmas card to the parents of each child. They were able to get some great shots with the boys' eyes open. The nurses are amazing with the boys and we've lucked out. We've had wonderful nurses that take great care of the boys.

Ethan's Christmas card to Mom & Dad

Days like this make it all worth while...

ETHAN- Day 10


After a dramatic day for Mom yesterday (Dad made her rest all day and she went without seeing the boys until 5:00pm), the events of today made it all okay. The morning started early in the hospital. We were there early enough for "hands-on" time where Dad changed Ethan's diaper and Mom changed Kian's diaper. Again, we got some great shots of each of the boys with their gear off.


KIAN- Day 10



After a little while, the nurses asked if we wanted to do some kangaroo care. Mom was ecstatic! For over 10 minutes, Mom was skin-to-skin with Ethan. Ethan is keeping his O2 sats up a little better so it was Ethan's turn. However, the doctor wrote that if Kian was behaving, he could do it too. Since we had Kian's CPAP mask off for an extended period this morning, we thought we would let him rest and possibly try another time.





We are doing so well. The boys are changing every day and growing up. It's amazing what one week will do for preemies. Tomorrow we would have been 29 weeks gestation. Doctor ordered routine lab work, a repeat head ultrasound, and each is still only eating 3mls of breastmilk every 12 hrs, but hopefully that will increase as their bowels start to move. They each had to have another suppository today and we've heard that Kian's has already worked. I guess Dad missed another poopy diaper by the hair of his "chinny chin chin". Thank God for another day of life!!



Dad working on a temperature and diaper change on Ethan


Proud parents with Ethan Lawrence

Mom and Dad's hands holding Ethan

Day of life 9

Finally, what we've been promised for the last few days finally happened. Both boys had their umbilical artery catheters removed. This makes them more mobile and able to lie on their stomachs. Dad also got the blankets back from the embroiderer so each boy was able to show off his own personalized blankey.

Consider it done!

Yes...WE POOPED! After mom's lecture and a little help from a suppository both stooled on Friday. The nurse made sure Mom was back for afternoon "hands on" time and both had a meconium diaper at that time. Yay!

Dad also kept his word even before their umbilical lines were removed. Chris & Jill visited Friday evening and Dad got to show off his diaper changing skills on both Ethan and Kian. Unfortunately, Mom forgot the camera so we don't have any proof. Guess he'll have to do it again!

We're 1 week old...boy...time flies!

It was 1 week ago today that Mom and Dad got the news that today would be their birthday! It's been the most amazing experience.

Here are rare shots with all their head gear (CPAP machines) off.

ETHAN




KIAN attempting to open his eyes



Dad finally got some guts to help out during our "hands on" time. He took Kian's axillary temperature. He sure was a natural! Now we just gotta get him changing diapers. He promised he would after all their umbilical IV lines were out. That will be this weekend, so we'll have to make sure he keeps his word!!




We talked with both boys about their behavior. Both are behaving quite well. They are increasing their protein and calories to put some weight on each of them. They will take out their umbilical lines this weekend. They have had few breathing problems on their CPAP machines. Kian still has a little oxygen running, but Ethan is on room air. We told each that their goal for this weekend was to poop. Neither have had a bowel movement, but each is peeing/diuresing well. Mom got to hold Kian during this talk and this was his reaction....

Days 6 & 7

Mom was able to do more hands on today... and Ethan decided to break her in. He sure did pee on her during the diaper change. Her first and NOT last time to be peed on!




SANTA CAME TO TOWN!!!

Yes, it's true... Santa Claus visited Ethan and Kian in the neonatal intensive care unit. The nurses took pictures and they are preparing pictures to give to the parents on Christmas. Santa and a donor also gave each infant their own 1st Christmas blanket. Dad's going to take it to work and embroider their names on it.


Ethan with his Christmas blanket



Kian with his Christmas blanket


Mom and Dad are pretty exhausted with all the driving back and forth to the NICU, but it's worth every trip. We get their early enough each morning for the doctor's rounds- usually between 7:30-8:00AM and we are one of the last few to leave after 9:00PM and intermittent visits during the day.

Days 3-5

Grandma and Grandpa Leuer drove from MN to see the birth of their newest grandchildren. They enjoyed every minute getting to see their grandsons in the NICU. Auntie Buffy and Uncle Steve also came from Omaha, NE to see the newest family members.


We have some really good pictures of the boys. You should see the size of Kian's hands...wow!!





We are LOVING being parents. Here's the new mommy during "hands on" time changing my first diaper!



Both boys are doing really well. As of today, Dec 16, 2008 both Kian and Ethan are on CPAP machines. They've pulled one of their umbilical lines (IV sites) and put PICC lines in (that's a good thing). Their chest and abdominal x-rays look great. They're breathing and heart rates have stabilized. They each had a head ultrasound 12/15/08 and both looked wonderful. In fact, their doctor told us to go and celebrate that! Ethan has been able to eat (via orogastric tube) 3mls of breast milk and hopefully Kian will start eating tomorrow. However, both are being fed through their IV lines.

I was discharged from the hospital today. It was one of the toughest moments of my life. We will be making daily trips to the hospital. If you are trying to reach us and can't, it's because we're in the NICU with our boys. Here are the most recent pics of the boys as of today- day 5- of their lives. Thanks for your continued prayers!