Visitors

Thank you to everyone who has asked about visiting. At this point, we are still keeping visits to a minimum and on a day-to-day basis. Any extra stimulation uses up energy we want the twins to use to get healthy right now. They are getting stronger, but each day brings different setbacks. It's only been a week, though, so we are very optimistic based on the progress they have made.

If you would like to visit, just call me ahead of time on my cell, and I will let you know what kind of day the twins are having. I feel guilty telling some people not to come, but some days they are struggling harder than others. And you never know, if it's a good day I LOVE having company! The days get very l-o-n-g sitting the in NICU alone. So just call ahead and we can work it out. I would also ask that if you come, please try to limit it to two people at a time. The NICU is very crowded, so that is all they allow in at a time. It also keeps it calmer for the babies. At this point a parent has to be there to escort any visitors, so again just make sure we work it out ahead of time so I can get you in.

Some basic guidelines when visiting:

Wash your hands when you enter the NICU (There's a sink by the door.)
Stay by our babies' bedside (don't peek at other babies, tempting though it is).
Try to keep what you carry in to a minimum - purses, bags, etc.. all carry lots of germs. Cameras are fine, just sanitize your hands after you put your camera down.
Sanitize your hands anytime you touch anything, or when you go from one baby to the other. Infection is the #1 danger at this point!
If you have pets, try to come as "hair free" as possible, since pet dander irritates delicate little lungs.
No children under 14 (Once you see inside the NICU, you'll understand why they have this rule!)

Thanks for understanding, and I look forward to working out visits! I think my little guys are adorable, so naturally I can't wait for you to meet them.

But wait, there's more!!!

Okay, I seriously will stop blogging about my breasts.. after one more post. As I mentioned in the last post, a friend loaned me the exact pump that I was looking for (Medela Pump in Style). I went to the hospital, and talked it over with the lactation consultant, who agreed that my issue was largely my pump. Using the one I borrowed, I was already getting an increase in my milk that same night. (Hooray!) The consultant also mentioned she was going to file a claim with my insurance stating that breastfeeding was medically necessary with my twins being premature, etc... I wasn't expecting anything to come of it, but I thanked her for the effort. Well, the next day I march into the NICU with my few ounces of hard-earned milk, and the nurse said, "A box arrived for you today!" I look over and there sat a brand new Medela Pump in Style! Apparently the consultant was able to convey the urgency of the matter and they sent one overnight! (These pumps are a few hundred dollars - even a used one can be around $100. Neither of which are in our price range right now!!!) So the Lord provided... and then provided again even more.

I also want to mention an e-mail I received about the Zachary Williams Memorial Foundation. They give pumps to needy mommies based on need, which I think is just a wonderful idea. It shouldn't be only the babies of mommies who can afford it who get breastmilk, especially preemies who need it so badly. Not to mention, I found her story very inspiring. To go through so much pain, and use it to help others - what an inspiration.

So anyway, we'll see how it goes from here. I am still having trouble getting much milk. Pumping is still not the same as a baby nursing, so I am trying to get my body to cooperate. However, my body thinks I have one premature baby, so I guess a couple ounces at a time is all he would need! Hopefully I can build up more with all my great pumps... the living room at my in-laws looks like a Medela commercial.

Wow - that was fast

Hey, I didn't even get a chance to really finish bawling my eyes out before Emily contacted me with a pump to borrow!!! Praise the Lord for answering prayers!!

PLEASE HELP - Breast Pump needed

Okay, I am at my wit's end here!!! If anyone knows where I can borrow a good breast pump, or knows someone selling one for a reasonable price PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!! The twins are doing decent on their feedings, but they have to have formula because I can't get enough milk, and the formula is very hard for them to digest. The pump I use at the hospital works great, but with Chad's job situation it is beyond our means to rent one or invest in a brand new one. I was given an inexpensive pump, but it doesn't work very well and won't maintain suction long enough for me to get anything. I talked to the lactation consultant and told her everything I was doing - pumping every three hours, warm compresses, drinking fluids, etc... (I did nurse/pump successfully with Selah so it's not like I don't know all the tricks.) She said my problem is definitely the pump, and to try to find one at least like the Medela Pump in Style, which is what I used last time. I really hope one of you can help me find one - I am so frustrated right now knowing one of the few things I can do to help my babies is being hindered by something like this!!!!!! Thanks so much for your help. My babies' tummies (and health) will thank you!!!!

So far so good!

We praise the Lord that the twins have only had minor, correctable issues so far! Micah even cried when he was born, and has not needed a ventilator. Levi needed it at first, but he is now off the ventilator. One thing I have learned with preemies is that things change quickly. We get new updates every time we go down there- some good some not so great. One visit thy will be off oxygen, next visit they are struggling to breathe. One visit Levi had low red blood cells, next visit he had corrected just as they were deciding on treatment... and Micah's coloring got bad! (He ended up being jaundiced.) And so it goes... We have really learned to take each day as it comes, as a whole, rather than worrying about things as they pop up. Thus far. although Levi is having a slightly tougher time than Micah, they both are really amazing us all with how well they are doing. Again, there are some issues and struggles, so please continue to pray for them!!!! (And us!) But overall we are VERY thankful that what they've dealt with so far has been quickly remedied. They are telling us we may be able to hold them tomorrow, so I am excited about that!!

Here They Are!!!!!

We proudly announce the arrival of

Levi Elijah Harvey

and

Micah Nathanael Harvey

They were born on March 6, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. and 8:55 a.m.

Levi
Weight: 5 lbs. 3 oz
Length: 18 inches

Micah
Weight: 3 lbs. 14 oz.
Length: 17 3/4 inches

Pictures of Levi

Pictures of Micah

Signs the girls made with Grandma Harvey

Meeting the proud grandparents

They're coming early!!!

Well, the date has been moved up to tomorrow! (Technically later today, since it is past midnight.) I am scheduled for delivery first thing in the morning!!!

Chad and I came here to U of M today to tour the NICU as well as talk to the neonatologist. I have to admit, I was a bit shaken by the tour. You can read all the books and information, but until you actually see a tiny little baby clinging to life... there's really no describing that feeling. We met a really nice mom with twin boys born at 30 weeks, and she was kind enough to let us peek at her little babies and ask her tons of questions. I couldn't get over how tiny and fragile they looked, almost like two little dolls. The consult with the neonatologist was more positive, since he spent a lot of time pointing out that many of the complications we were originally facing with delivery at 28 weeks are no longer likely. Hearing the comparisons of a 28 weeks baby to a 33 week was very encouraging.

From there we headed to my home away from home - the perinatal assessment center (or the PAC, pronounced "pack") for another round of testing. This time, I thought I saw reverse flow on the Doppler, which is not good. I asked the technician, and he said he wanted to check again, but he didn 't think so. I said, "Oh good! I almost had a heart attack..." After several more times, though, he saw it consistently enough to be concerned. Then, to make matters worse, the baby also scored low on his BPP (the other test I have done frequently). They called in the doctor, who admitted me on the spot. The specialist came in and said they had decided to deliver the babies ASAP, since this is exactly the type of thing they have been watching for for the last 5 weeks. They had been waiting for something to tip their hand, then decided to deliver me anyway on Monday... then the two bad test results. The only reason they didn't send me right to delivery then was that I had been drinking apple juice through the testing! They are opting instead to monitor the munchkins overnight and deliver them in the morning. I was still numb about having them on Monday, so naturally this is a complete shock!!!! We are excited to meet our little boys, though. Our pastor had prayer with us, and although we are nervous about all the unknowns we are really at peace. Whatever happens, good or bad, God will get us through.

I've had lots of people ask about visiting. You're welcome to visit me, but I'm not the exciting one, I know. I still don't have a definite answer, since we don't know yet what condition the babies will be in. Probably your best bet would be to call one of our cell phones, and we will try to give updates as soon as possible. If they are stable, one person at a time can be taken in with one parent and you can see them. Obviously you won't be able to hold them, but you can take pictures or video. I will ask that you try to stay positive, especially when talking to me, since my emotional state maybe a wee bit tentative. Seeing a preemie can be a bit of a shock at first (at least it was for me), especially the very tiny ones. (Although hopefully only one will be that tiny.)

Well, I guess I should be resting up for tomorrow! Yeah right, like I could sleep...

Blog Title

Okay, we are getting down to the wire now, and I still haven't come up with a new blog title!!!! (Hey, thanks to Elizabeth's help I got rid of all the pink, but I still don't think my little men will like their story documented as "Sugar & Spice.") So, I'd appreciate any ideas!!! I barely have enough brain left to function right now, so creativity is a bit low on the mental totem pole.

Holden NICU

Here is the website of the NICU where the boys will be:

Holden NICU

The End is Near...

I met with the specialist today (one of them) and she asked if I had a date set yet for delivery. I told her "next week sometime" was all I had been told. She called the other specialist who has been handling my case, and found out he had been discussing things with the doctor overseeing the testing. Overall, their consensus was this: Although we are thrilled that the babies have made it this far, they feel at this point we are letting them go too long. The risks at this point are now outweighing any benefit from what development the babies would have over the next few weeks. Obviously we would have liked the smaller twin to have gotten bigger before he was born, but since he is only growing a couple ounces a week it would be defeating the purpose. Also, after 35 weeks the risk of him being stillborn starts to jump. We have a few things to schedule yet and details to iron out, but it looks like delivery is going to be set for sometime on March 9th. I have to have more testing done, some bloodwork done, and we have a tour/consultation with one of the neonatologists in the NICU. Also, the time of the surgery has not yet been determined, although they prefer to do them in the morning.

I appreciate all the support, but I do have to warn you that this is not like a typical delivery. You will not be allowed to hold the babies, so I wouldn't recommend rushing to the hospital! (In fact, depending on their condition, you might not even be able to see them.) I will have more information on all of this after Thursday, and I will try to keep you updated. We are new to all this preemie stuff, but I will pass on info as we get it. One thing you can do for sure is PRAY for the babies as well as us. This will be a very stressful, trying time for us. Try to cut us slack if we don't return phone calls or forget to call someone!!!! I can almost guarantee it will happen!