Catching Up

Ok, we'll start off by apologizing. Last Sunday we promised to do a better job updating the blog and this is our first post since Tuesday. Oh well, you know what they say about good intentions. This week we're renewing our pledge to post more about Clara and Wilson's adventures and hopefully we'll succeed. In the meantime, a lot has happened since Tuesday. We'll stop making excuses for not updating everyone on the kids so we can actually update you on how they're doing.

"They haven't been writing about us because they've been wasting
time putting us in silly outfits." - Clara

 On Thursday, Clara and Wilson went back to the pediatrician for a routine check-up and to receive their second round of immunization shots. As usual, Chris was excited to go to the doctor. We love our pediatrician and the doctor's office is still the only public place Chris can take Clara or Wilson. Morgan tagged along to help in case one or both of the kids got fussy. As it turns out, "fussy" might be the understatement of the year. Clara and Wilson received one shot in each of their legs. Wilson went first. As soon as the nurse administered the first shot Wilson's eyes grew to the size of saucer plates and he screamed like he was auditioning for a part in horror film. The second shot didn't go any better.

Wilson's reaction didn't bode well for Clara. She has always been our "feisty" child and we were afraid people driving by might need hearing protection. To our surprise, Clara was relatively subdued. However, right after complimenting her on her bravery, Clara tried to pass out. She stopped making noises and turned a ghostly shade of white/green. The nurse went to get the doctor and we ended up staying at the pediatrician's office for another half an hour so Clara could be observed.

We'd love to tell you we were calm throughout the entire experience, but seeing the kids get their shots upset us greatly. When Wilson received his first injection, Chris started bawling. Morgan wasn't exactly a tough guy either when he was pressed into action with Clara while Chris comforted Wilson. We're still surprised the doctor didn't take Morgan's blood pressure too.

Much more so than the kids, our reactions were really surprising. We've seen Clara and Wilson with multiple IV's, feeding tubes, and different breathing apparatuses, so we didn't think watching them get their immunizations would be difficult. We were wrong. In analyzing why we reacted the way we did, we rationalized that the dire nature of the NICU actually inoculated us to some of the raw emotions you experience while watching your child in pain. When a baby is under two pounds and encased in a clear plastic isolette with various lifelines and monitors strung throughout, you focus more on long term goals than short term feelings. Last Thursday, we took off our babies' clothes and they received a shot. Their pain was immediate and real and it was not fun . . . for any of us.

We did get some good news from the doctor. Not only does Wilson weigh nearly 7.5 lbs, but Clara weighed 6 lbs, 7 ozs. Weight gain is good for many reasons, but the most selfish for us is the doctor is permitting us to move up to four hours between feedings. This might not sound like much, but it means six feedings per day instead of eight feedings per day. That means less bottles and pump parts to clean, fewer diapers to change, and (slightly) more sleep time. Woo hoo!!! Welcome back extra two hours of our day, you have been greatly missed.

Unfortunatley we weren't able to bask in the glory of our extra time this weekend because Chris contracted a cold on Friday. She is doing better now and Morgan, Wilson, and Clara are all  very excited. The trick will be to make sure no one else gets her cold. We think Clara and Wilson might have gotten a trace of it but were helped greatly by the natural antibodies they received in their milk. Since that option wasn't available to Morgan, we've used more hand sanitizer than a hospital and taken more Vitamin C than a Florida orange grove.

We moved a twin mattess on the floor of the nursery and this is what Chris found
around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. No, the kids did not sleep in bed. Morgan
was too tried to officially "wake up" and Clara and Wilson were crying
asking to be held. Chris took a picture and thought "welcome to my life" before
blowing her nose and going back into her room.