Milestones and Angels

Each day brings new milestones. Looking back on the last week there are almost too many firsts to remember (this is my attempt to document them before I forget):

-Aiden was the first born (by less than a minute)
-Will refused to breathe after birth but Aiden required supplemental oxygen in the NICU
-Aiden was first to stop receiving breathing assistance
-Will was the first to stabilize enough to be held (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was the first song I sang, because it is the only one I could remember to words to)
-Will was the first to have his IV removed
-Aiden was the first to have his feeding tube moved to his nose
-Will was the first take a bottle (a whopping 3 mLs)
-Aiden was the first to maintain his body temperature and get an open crib
-Aiden was the first to get dressed

Tonight we achieved another big first. Will finished an entire feeding from a bottle, all 40 mLs!!!
Both of them breastfed this morning and consumed enough to register on the scale, 4 mLs each. For those that aren't familiar (I wasn't until two days ago), the nurses weigh the baby before breast feeding and again after. By the change in weight the nurses can tell how much was consumed and will adjust the feeding tube amount accordingly.

The boys are both beginning to stay more alert when they are awake. It is fun to see them begin to look around at their new world. Both can pick their heads up for a brief second. We are told this is another huge milestone. We are encouraging and supporting them in their journey. We must remember to keep our expectations tempered. As a nurse pointed out, we are asking them to do things that they should not be capable of for another 5 weeks!

Speaking of nurses, over the past week I have become convinced that there exists a special place in heaven for NICU nurses. For Aiden, Will, and their NICU compatriots the nurses are their caregivers, coaches, cheerleaders, and support. We would not be where we are without them. While we will never be able to repay them for the care provided to our sons (and lessons taught to us) it is important to acknowledge them: Marcy and Tatiana (Will and Aiden's admitting nurses) beyond taking care of the boys they held my hand by explaining in layman's terms every procedure being performed and helped me feel at ease during those first tense hours after birth, Susan, Judy, Sonja, Banks, Scarlett, Nina, Kathy, Bridgette, and all of them to come. Thank you.

Daddy and Will pretend to be Kangaroos.

Turn off the lights and get me a longer blanket! - Will

Aiden taking half of his feeding from a bottle, a personal best!

Will, exhausted after finishing dinner, with his spoils.