catching up

I hate to think that when the Ron Nordell family comes to mind, you might think high-maintenance. But I confess, we do tend to do things in dramatic ways, don't we? In keeping with the tradition, our little girls certainly made a dramatic grand entrance late Thursday. What can I say?

It's been a very busy few days! Stacee's mom arrived safe and sound Friday morning. I know it's been so good for Stacee to have her Mom here. Everybody needs/wants their Mom at a time like this! And she has been so helpful in so many ways.

After our quite late night/early morning Thursday/Friday, we were beat. However, we got up early to make the trip to Presby for PICC line change. A tedious, time-consuming procedure but thankfully, no problems encountered. After grabbing a very late lunch, we headed to Harris, arriving just in time for shift change, therefore had to wait until 8PM to see our girls.

When we were able to get in to see them, we were happily surprised to see both girls had been taken off CPAP. It was wonderful to see their sweet little faces.

Saturday, we were only able to have a short visit. Ron stayed home and slept 'til noon...he really needed to catch up on some rest; while I went for a visit. Then Ron went up while I stayed home to prepare food for a big Gregory family (my side) get together. It was fun to share stories of our girls with everyone, along with the few pictures Aaron had on his phone; at the moment, we don't own a working camera! What kind of grandparents are we??? Mila and Ella are the first grandbabies on both sides of the family, as well as the first great-grandbabies on Stacee's side and my side of Ryan's family.

While Ryan and I were with Ella Saturday, they had to change her IV. Needless to say, she was not a happy camper! Her little cry sounded like a kitten! They put some sugar water on her paci to try to soothe her while they worked on her; which she loved, but she continued squealing while sucking...sad, but quite cute, as well.

Mila was having spells of apnea (poor little thing kept forgetting to breathe) so they had to put her back on CPAP. Necessary, but she was none too happy with that.

Today both have elevated bilirubin levels and are being watched for jaundice. Ella has also been having episodes where her sats have dropped and heart rate has elevated, especially when she gets all snuggled in with Mommy or Daddy. She gets too comfy and neglects breathing well therefore oxygen saturation drops. Ella was a little stinker and pulled out her NG tube twice today! She's also been upgraded from a warming bed to an enclosed isolette.

Mila is still on CPAP, which she really doesn't like. They keep it attached to her little head cap and she keeps shimmying down out of the cap which defeats the CPAP purpose; so they are constantly having to mess with her. This little doll prefers to sleep, however she can let out some lusty crying when she's unhappy.

They both have dark hair, long, long fingers and long skinny legs! Maybe they'll play their great, great Mamo's piano one day? Or follow in their Daddy's footsteps and be a runner? Who knows, but it sure will be fun watching them grow and develop their own personalities!

Stacee is doing well and is becoming a pumping machine. It's so good for the girls to be able to get Mommy's milk. I know she and Ryan are both VERY TIRED but are in love with their sweet girls and want to spend every minute they can with them.

Ryan and Stacee have been able to hold each of the girls alot, as well as do "kangaroo care" (skin to skin contact). They have been able to hold them during feeding (through feeding tube) and have been working on getting them to suck on a pacifier while being fed so they will associate sucking with full tummy; Mila's not too fond of the paci where Ella likes it but is having a hard time remembering to breathe when she sucks....there's just so much for an itty bitty girl to remember!!!

Ron and I went to see his parents after our visit this afternoon and were able to show them pictures of their newest great-grandbabies; making numbers 9 and 10; bringing the Nordell clan to a total of 42!

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but haven't caught up on my sleep yet! Please keep praying for our sweet little angels. That they will continue to grow and develop in a timely manner so they may to be able to go home as soon as possible. I think Stacee may be discharged Monday or Tuesday and it will be very hard for both of them to be away from their babies.

Much love, Christie