Twins-1 week old

Well, Brooklyn and Brienna will be 1 week old tomorrow.  A lot has gone on in that week and things are going really well.

Since Brooklyn's PDA (duct) closed, they have begun feeding her through a feeding tube.  This is going VERY well and she has almost caught up to Brienna, who started feedings a few days before Brooklyn did.  Tonight, they are recieving 11cc and 14cc each, every three hours.  This gets increased daily until they are up to 30cc each every three hours.  30cc is considered a "full feeding" for their weight.

Speaking of weight, each of them have started to gain some weight back.  Brooklyn was down to 4 lb 1 oz and Brienna was as low as 3 lb 10 oz yesterday.  However, they've both turned the corner and gained weight from Monday night to Tuesday night.  They will weigh them again tonight at midnight and I'd imagine that each of them will have gained weight again, especially since their fluids and feedings are increasing.

Also, both girls got rid of their nasal canulas today, which means that they are breathing completely on their own!  As the tubes on their faces are slowly removed (only the feeding tube is left), we're able to see more of their facial features.  They are starting to look more and more like their older siblings did when they were babies.  And, all of the nurses can't get over how truely identical they are-they seem to be an exact carbon copy of eachother at this point...except for their personalities.  Brooklyn tends to be very laid back and likes to be held, while Brienna tends to turn into a "drama queen" every time anyone messes with her.  Ironically, this is exactly how they acted when Kelly was pregnant.

So, both of them are doing very well and progressing rapidly.  Their billiruben levels are also dropping and they'll likely be done with the billi lights within a couple of days.  We'll try to get some updated pictures put up here tomorrow.

We are in Sioux Falls for the rest of the week.  We decided to get a hotel and not try to drive through the snowstorm that is heading our way.  So, Kelly and I will be taking turns in the NICU and with Sydney and Taiton from now through Christmas.  I called Santa today and told him to leave the kids' presents in our van outside the hotel instead of bringing them to our house tomorrow night.  Hopefully he checks his messages...

Mike