Long nights and short days

Angela was discharged from the hospital Tuesday night. Driving away without our sons was one of the hardest things either of us have done. We made it through and were back with them this morning. Before leaving, the nurse offered for Angela to hold Aiden and Will at the same time. To say it was magic is an understatement. Almost immediately all of their vital signs improved. They were all three back together again.

Will and Aiden continue to progress. Tuesday both of them took 10 mL from a bottle. Today Aiden took 10 mL and Will took 18 mL. I fed both of them! They are allowed to breast feed once per day and bottle feed once per day for 30 minutes each time. The goal is for them to try but not spend more calories than they are consuming. Both of them have maxed out on their feeding advances. From now on the amount they receive will be based on their weight. From yesterday to today both of them started to gain weight. Hopefully their weight has bottomed out. Their bilirubin levels have also begun to fall. It looks like phototherapy won't be needed for jaundice.

We are all continuing to learn and grow attached. Angela and I are spending most of our time at the hospital. If we can't hold them we simply sit in the room. I believe they know when we are there. Here are some pictures we've accumulated over the past couple of days.

I can't hear you! - Aiden

Strike a pose - Aiden

Daddy and Aiden cuddling.

Will plotting his escape.

I wonder who was taking up more room inside mommy. Aiden in green.

Daddy giving Aiden a bottle for the first time.

Will and mommy cuddling.

Family picture (handling babies without wires is going to be simple!)

Will, daddy, and the monkey rattle (to give perspective the rattle is very small)

Not such a bad view - Will