Hello Sam

Our little Sam looked better than ever last night. Yet at first glance I couldn't tell why. It wasn't until the end of his feeding when we were about to put him back that...take a guess...did you guess no feeding tube?! Well you were right! No feeding tube! This left his cute little face wide open for viewing pleasure. We had to take a snap shot to enjoy the first time since birth that we have seen him without anything blocking his face.

Update: Sam is doing very well. Taking all of his feedings, holding his body temp and everything else that they require of the little guys - He is going to be home this week!

Eli is also progressing very well, although he continues to have problems feeding by bottle in back to back feedings...he just gets too tired. Other than that he is doing very well in every other aspect and if he follows the example of his older brother-they could come home together. Enjoy this pic of little Eli sleeping away.

Our Sweet Boys...

So for the latest update. I feel like so much has happened since our last post. A few days ago the boys got off all IV fluids and are up to their full feedings. Yipee, no more IVs! I hated seeing those things in my little guys. They also came off their caffine the same day. When we talked to the Doctor that day she said that they were doing great and wanted to get them off the caffine, as they have to stay at least 14 days after they stop the caffine. She sounded like they could possibly come home sooner than expected. The next day they took all there feeding's by bottle a big step for the little guys. The doctor's and nurses were so impressed. So were Mom and Dad. After such a big day they got extremely tired and haven't been able to finish their bottles and sometimes they don't want to wake up and eat at all. Which is very normal. So we just wait for them to tell us when they are ready and are hopeful that it will be soon.


Mom washing Eli's hair for the first time.

He loved it!

Sam getting ready for his hair to be washed. I guess Nate just has video of Sam's hair wash. I am not sure how to put video on so Nate will have to add later. He didn't like it as much as his brother though.

Last night we got to enjoy our boys together at last. The first time since their birth. I think they missed eachother's kicking's and pushing's. I am sure there will be more of that in the future, as they are brother's. Aren't they just the cutest! I can't wait to snuggle them as long as I want without a nurse telling me when I have to put my children back in the isolettes.

One Week Later

The boys have been doing very well these last couple of days and we wanted to share some of their progress with you. Exactly one week later they came off of their oxygen, came out from under the belly reuben lights, increased their feeding times and amounts, and they also started BOTTLE FEEDING,...but not every feeding though--it wears them out.

Eli Tait - Opening his eyes to say hello to mommy and daddy -something they have been starting to do much more often. He sure looks like a Tait--doesn't he???

Samuel Gene - Cuddling up to his blanket - they love to be snuggled and they cry every time they have to go back into their incubators.

Mom bottle feeding little Eli - He did a great job.

Dad - Bottle feeding Sam. He kept falling asleep during the feeding so dad needed some help trying to keep him awake long enough for him to finish the bottle.

One last pic of dad and sam.

We love you boys!

Sam & Eli

We were so happy today, because we were able to hold our little dudes--for the first time. We were there for their first feeding, got to change some diapers (I changed eli's, which was especially tar-riffic), take some temps, and just simply enjoy being together as a little family. It would almost seem like home, if it weren't for the many beeps, buzzes, and dings always going off, but we are glad they are doing well.

Dad Mom & Sam (From Left to Right)

Dad Eli & Mom (From Left to Right)

Names

Baby formerly known as "A" is now Samuel Gene

Baby formerly known as "B" is now Eli Tait

Sam & Eli are no longer nameless! We spent a long time with our boys today and they are doing well. As you can tell they have a mild case of jaundice--this is the reason for the new sweet pair of shades.

Sam's apnea spells are almost gone and Eli's "breathing on his own" is really improving. We heard Eli's little voice as he cried a little while we were there. Jill put a pacifier in his mouth and calmed him down...then she was over with Sam and he started to cry--so naturally she put a pacifier in his mouth and calmed him down too.

We know that's just a taste--yet--It's still hard to leave these little guys at the hospital, especially for mommy, but we know that they are well taken care of. We love you boys!

Jill holding Sam's hand

Jill holding Eli's Foot

The Fun Has Arrived!!!

The story...Nate was in deep slumber contemplating the exhilarating display of fireworks enjoyed the night before, sparklers, flowers, and the funkadellic...which cannot be explained in words.

It was the evening of the 4th of July. The Cutlers, matt, and some of Jill's family came to hang out, watch some fireworks, and see a movie projected "theater style" onto the garage. Bryan and his date joined us later on...and they actually ended up being the only ones, besides me, to make it to the end of the movie. They helped me clean up and I got to bed around 1:30 am...which brings us to around 3:30am when I was in the deep slumber spoken of. Jill's voice came from the other room saying, "I think my water broke..." with the tone of simply asking for some toilet paper.

With a jump I was up and ordering Jill down to slow the flow of that h-2-0. It was happening so fast--all Hollywood style--throwing the items in a bag not knowing if this was the real thing or not. Well we got it all packed in waddled down the stairs and into the car.

There couldn't have been a better time to be cruising down the freeway...all lanes were clear, just for us. Speeding along I was slightly hoping for the token pull over by some police officer. Just so I could get the police escort. Sadly my wish was not granted, but we did make it to the hospital in record time.

The doctor decided that we should not try to prevent contractions at this point with the water broke. So they admitted her and we were told that it could be hours or days again...like we had heard many times before. While being monitored everything looked good and I was preparing to go home around 1:00 PM. Then the hard contractions started-- REALLY HARD...jill told me--through her screaming--actually it was pretty obvious that she was in a lot more pain than she had been in with her usual contractions...I have the marks on my arm to prove it.

Then the fun started...


Around 3:00 PM - Jill, finally smiling again after the epidural was administered. Me Smiling because the boys were on their way.

At 4:30 PM Jill was wheeled off with me by her side to the O.R. In quiet and happy anticipation for the little ones to arrive.

Jill did GREAT!!! I was so impressed with her courage--seriously--she really worked very hard--in cooperation with their mother the boys made a "No C-Section" situation a reality...They all made dad extremely proud. At 4:48 pm July 5, 2008...Baby A was born. At 3 lbs 11 oz 17 inches long. 2 minutes later Little brother, baby b came too at 4lbs & 18 inches long. The doctors cleared the scales to weigh him again because it, "just wasn't possible for him to weigh that much." Expect the impossible with these little studs!


Baby A and I hanging out for the first time

Mom and Dad with our little boy - Baby B

Mom and Dad with our little boy - Baby A

Baby A is a fighter working to breath on his own--he finally did today and was taken off of the ventilator. Good job buddy!

Baby B - Our darker brother, although the second to come out - continues to be the bigger brother at 4lbs. Also off his ventilator earlier today-keep it up studly! Both came off 2 days earlier than expected!

Here is my wedding ring next to the hand of our little baby A

Both are doing well and will continue to stay in the NICU.

The next step in our journey has begun. We are so grateful to have been entrusted with these little ones...they are the awesomest and as parents we could not be prouder. We thank everyone for your prayers, support, love, and for everything that has been done for us. We look forward to bringing them home for lots of cuddling, loving, and spoiling to be done! But not before they get some names...wish us luck!

Posting

Well, I am laying here in bed complaining to Nate that everyone should post more and then he throws the "Why don't you post." comment at me. I do admit I usually leave the posting up to Nate. I just don't feel like I have much to say. Well, I take that back. Sometimes I feel like I have a lot to say, but not sure if everyone wants to hear about it. I am kind of the boring bed rest gal with no exciting adventures to talk about. I guess I will try to do better at posting and keeping everyone updated. If it gets boring I don't expect you to read on.
The boys and I are doing well. They keep moving like crazy. I swear they are trying to break out any way they can. Nate is holding up I think. Although not many people ask how he is doing. I even get caught up in myself and the boys and forget about him. Poor Nate. Well if he is reading this I want him to know how much I appreciate all he is doing for me and the little babes. He really is a trooper. We love you Daddy.
Thank you everyone for your love and support. I can't say it enough.
Hope to see you soon!