38 gestational weeks

Happy 38 gestational weeks to Lily and Claire! It's hard to believe we're finally at the place where I would have delivered, had the girls not come so early. Lily is weighing in at 5 lbs 14 oz and Claire is 4 lbs 6 oz. It seems like everyday I notice them getting bigger now-- Lily is even wearing newborn clothes and graduated from preemie size a week ago. Claire, of course, is still wearing preemie and will for a while. Both girls have mastered pulling out their feeding tubes. Yesterday Lily actually pulled hers out, along with the tape that keeps it sticking to her face, and somehow got it out of her crib and to the floor next to her. The nurse and I laughed imagining this tiny baby pulling it out and throwing it all onto the floor. :) We're still working on them feeding by mouth, which is what is keeping them at the hospital. I'm told that they will just one day "get it" and take off. We're so excited for that day to finally come, because we can't wait to bring them home! The NICU has been a long journey that we are excited to put behind us...

My apologies for not updating any sooner. Things are hectic in our house as we're doing last minute projects to have the house ready for the girls. They are doing great- Lily is weighing in at 5 lbs 5 oz and Claire is 3 lbs 14 oz. Their growth in the past couple of weeks has been amazing. Claire is now in a crib (like Lily has been) and both girls are off all oxygen. It's so nice seeing them without nasal cannulas. They are still working on their feedings. As soon as they are able to take all feedings by mouth, then they get to come home. Depending on the day/how sleepy they are, usually determines how much they decide to take by mouth. The nurses say that this usually takes the longest and is the most frustrating. Probably because we're SO close to home, and waiting when something is within reach seems to take forever. We had a professional photographer come in to take photos of the girls. So far we've seen the sneak peak pics, and they are adorable. Zane also was able to hold Lily and Claire for the first time-- it was pretty special, even though I think he was a bit scared of hurting them. Here are the photos:

Day 40...something!

Lily and Claire are both doing great. The past week has given us some positive and exciting changes. Lily is now in a crib, and has been since May 31st. Since she graduated from her giraffe bed (incubator), it means she is now in baby clothes and is able to maintain her own temperature. Her next obstacle is to learn to bottle andd breast feed and get off the little oxygen needed. Claire is also doing great. She is in clothes also, and is able to maintain her temperature on her own. If not for her low weight, she'd Also be in a crib. Both girls are getting fed every three hours for 30 minutes. Lily weighs 4 lbs 5 oz and Claire weights 2 lbs 13 oz. Its been so fun to see such positive progress and be so much closer to bringing them home. We are still weeks away, but its within reach now!