Eventful Week

Last week was pretty eventful, at least for Reid. Tuesday, Brent and I went out to eat for our 2 year anniversary. We left the babies with Pappie, and Margaret was coming to help her with feedings. On the way home, mom called to see where we were. She then told me that they were a "little concerned" with Reid. While eating, he choked and spit up out of his mouth and nose. When he did this, he lost all color in his face. They called my dad, since he would probably know the most about CPR, and they also called Mrs. Madge (a friend of Margaret's that is a nurse). Mrs. Madge suctioned his mouth and that started bringing his color back. Immediately I start thinking he may be getting RSV, which is very dangerous for preemies. Needless to say, I didn't sleep at all that night.

The next morning (Wednesday) we got up and took him to the Dr. No fever, no congestion in his lungs, just a stuffy nose. He doesn't know to open his mouth and breathe while taking a bottle since his nose is clogged, so that is what caused the choking. All they told us to do is put Saline drops in his nose a few times a day to keep it moist. We are also using a humidifier to moisten the air. That was a week ago, and he is still stuffy. I'm starting to think he has allergies.

Friday we got up and I was going to give them a bath. I bathed Reid and was giving him his bottle, and I started to feel different. All my energy left me, and I started to have chills and aches. I called Brent to come home and feed Rylee, so I could take a bath. I really thought the bath would warm me up and make me feel better. Brent went back to work, and within 2 hours, my temperature went from 98.8 to 103.1! I was freaking out. Everyone was at work, and I couldn't find anyone to keep the kids so I could go to the Dr. Brent's best friends mom, Momma Jane, came and kept them while Brent took me to the Dr. I knew it was Mastitis again, but I always get scared it might be the flu. It was defiantly Mastitis, and it was severe. Both sides were engorged and hot. They gave me a shot and more antibiotics. This was the icing on the cake.... no more pumping! I am starting to feel better, just a little sore from trying to dry up. Pray this process goes quickly.

That is the end of the health events. The babies are doing pretty good with formula. Reid spits up some and gets very gassy, but Rylee has adjusted great. They are growing so fast! It already breaks my heart to watch them grow. I want to freeze time so they will stay this little.

They are sleeping pretty good. We are usually up twice a night, which is not bad at all. I try to feed them at 10:00 PM, then they wake up between 1-2, then again between 5-6. If I were working, I would already be up for the 5-6 feeding, so we would really only get up once a night. We did have a pretty rough night a few nights ago. They were both up screaming for over an hour. It must have been something in the breastmilk, which makes it even easier to stop pumping! It was not a fun night with BOTH of them screaming.

My sister and niece came for the weekend and that was great! Especially since I was sick Friday and Saturday. Friday night my sister got up with them for every feeding. I didn't get up at all, and it was WONDERFUL!!!!! She kept them for a few hours Saturday while I went to Greenville, and when I came home the living room was clean. I told her just to move down here.... she really spoiled us this weekend.

We are getting ready for our first visit from Santa. The kids don't have a clue what is going on, but that's ok; I'm excited enough for them! We will go to Brent's grandmothers on Christmas Eve, then to Pappie's and PawPaw's! Christmas morning, we will get up and do the "Santa" thing, then go to MaeMae's house. For lunch we will go to my Grandma's.

I am already starting to get sad about going back to work. I go back January 5, and I'm not ready!!!! But I don't think I would ever be ready if I had the choice.

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! Our Christmas wish already came true, we are home and healthy.

Love,
Brent, Jessica, Reid and Rylee

One happy family on "Going Home Day!"

Loaded up and ready to go!

The nurses telling us bye.

We had to go tell Ronald thank you!

Pappie and MaeMae feeding the babies on the 1st night home.

Daddy time in the recliner

Today, December 14

All the prayers were heard and answered! We came home last Friday night, and what an exciting week at the Blocker house it has been! They were in the hospital 38 days total. They didn't have a bath the entire time they were there, so that was goal #1. They had their first bath last Sunday, and they both slept through it.

Monday I had to take them to the eye doctor for their premature eye exam. Leslie and Annslie went to help out, and Annslie is amazing with them! She is really a good helper. They were 6 weeks old and had their eyes dilated. They both did great, and everything is normal. When premature babies are on oxygen, there is a risk it will hurt their eyes; but we are fine. We go back in 2 months for a follow up.

Tuesday is rained and rained, but we had to go to Clarksdale for my 6 week check up. Everything is fine and Dr. Balthrop was so excited to see them. I still hate that she didn't get to deliver them. We have a bond with her, and she will always be my favorite. The babies also went to the Bunko Christmas party Tuesday, but we didn't stay long.

Wednesday and Thursday we stayed home and I got to taste motherhood on my own. It's not quite as bad as expected, I just don't like being confined to the house. I'm a "goer" and "doer" and it gets the best of me to stay home all day.

Friday we got up and got dressed and went to Leslie's. She and Annslie kept them while I went to Walmart and Punkin Patch. After that we picked up something to eat, then went to the Health Department to get them on WIC. That only took 2 hours!!!!!!!! Needless to say, after that we were all tired and cranky... Mommy included. We found out that they are both over 5 pounds now!!! We don't know exactly how much, because they weighed them with clothes and diapers, and the hospital weighed them naked. They are growing so fast!!!

Saturday we stayed home with Daddy. He is on a cooking kick, and was in the kitchen all day cooking things to freeze. Pappie (Mom) came over that morning and cleaned good and did a few other things around the house. Mrs. Ward brought us lunch and helped with the 12:30 feeding. Allison came and brought 5 boxes of diapers from the school crew. That is the best gift we can get, along with wipes, formula and gift cards.

Last night Brent and I went to the EOC Christmas dinner and Margaret kept them. It was good to get out for a while, but at the same time we were both ready to get back home. We had dinner at Catfish Cabin, went and saw a few friends, made a trip to Walmart, and was back home by 9:00.

Today (Sunday) we went to Nana's for Sunday lunch, then Brent and the twins went to Margaret's for the afternoon. I went to Greenville to try and return a few things.

I have tons of pictures I would like to post, but just don't have the space on here. If you are in the area, and want to come visit, just let me know. We appreciate a call letting us know you are coming, so we can try to schedule a feeding time during your visit. That way they are awake a little.

Today I received some very sad news from a friend at RMH. Nikius, the baby that was very sick, gave up the fight and went to be with Jesus. I'm crying again thinking about it. Nicole, his mom, has been such a blessing in my life. This is the second child she has lost, and she continues to be strong. I haven't talked to her yet, but did hear that she was doing pretty good. Please pray for the Jones family during this very difficult time. I'm sure it is difficult enough losing a child, but with Christmas coming, I'm sure that is more difficult.

Also, another mom from the RMH is facing surgery next Friday on one of her twins. Her skull fused together before it should have, and they are going in to separate it. I don't know all the details, but it is a major surgery. If you think about it, pray for the Wilson family as they await this surgery.

And of course, please continue to pray for Reid and Rylee. Mostly that they gain weight and continue to eat good. They have slept very good for the past 3 nights, and we hope this continues. They have both had a little stuffy nose, but nothing major yet. We hope it is from the temperature changes. Speaking of temperatures, they are doing so much better on keeping their temps up, but pray that continues. Rylee continues to run low, but I think that is just her.

Sorry it has taken me so long to update, but it took me 3 days to get this typed and the pictures uploaded. Things are a little crazy around here, but we are getting the hang of it. I can say I am truely blessed with good babies so far! I hope they stay like this. One good thing about being in the hospital so long is the babies are already on a schedule! It's great! I will try to update at least once a week, but it may be shorter or longer. It just depends on the babies!

With love,
Brent, Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

Thursday Update

Hold your breath and hold it tight!!!!!!!!!!!! We are suppose to come home tomorrow! Rylee's temp is still running a little low, and Reid isn't eating that great.... but the plan is to come home. As of right now, the only thing that would keep us here is the new Dr. that is coming on call tomorrow. The Dr.'s change rotations every 2 weeks, and a new Dr comes on tomorrow. We are thinking that nothing will change, but that is the only thing that would keep us here.

If you are checking this before noon on Friday, say a prayer that we get orders for discharge. I'm not posting pictures or anything tonight because I'm trying to clean and pack. I'm sure I'm not going to get much sleep, but I'll try. My last night at the RMH, my last night without my husband, and most important, my last night without precious babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your love and support!
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

11:00 PM

Just a quick update, Rylee was at 96.9 when I just called, so she is coming up. I begged the nurse to keep them together, and I think she will. You have to read the below blog to understand.

5 weeks yesterday (Tuesday)

Reid at 5 weeks old; frowning at me!

Rylee at 5 weeks old, trying to sleep.

"Oh sister, I've been looking for you!"
"Hmmmm, I've been right here."

Rylee scooted close to Reid.

Rylee posing for the picture, and Reid staring at his sister.

Yesterday was a pretty good day, today started off great but ended not so great Rylee kept her temperature up all day. I found the secret.... they need to be in the same bed. I asked the Nurse Practitioner if that would be alright, and she was fine with it. Her temperature didn't go under 96.9 all night and all day today. They told me this morning that we can expect to go home Friday IF Rylee will keep her temperature up, and if Reid will gain weight. So all day I've been in the frame of mind that we are going home friday. The day nurse had separated the babies before shift change, and that affected Rylee's temperature (at least that is what I'm blaming it on)! At the 8:00 PM feeding her temperature was 96.4, which is not good at all. I made the nurse check it 3 times and it was the same every time. I told her if we put them in the same bed, it would come back up. I don't think she believed me, because she asked 3 other nurses if it was ok to put them together. I wouldn't tell her to if it wasn't ok!!!!!!! I'm SO ready to get my babies home so I can do what I want with them!!!!! I will be calling at 11:00 to see what her temp is, and if they are still in the same bed. Once again, most of the nurses are so nice, but there are a few I just don't see eye to eye with. I'm already on pins and needles..... I am willing to do whatever it takes to get us home, and would appreciate a little help from our nurse on duty. Yeah, I'm a little frustrated.

On a good note.... putting them together was the most precious thing ever! The first time we put them together, we uncovered their hands. Immediatly Reid reached over and grabbed Rylee's hand... he didn't let go for the longest time. It was priceless; I cried! It is amazing to watch them after they have been apart 5 weeks. Today I faced Reid out, and he turned inward towards Rylee. They are so cute.

Enormous prayer requests.... for Rylee's temperature to stay up!!!!! And for Reid to eat more. After both of those happen, pray that we can come home SOON!!!!

Love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

33 and 34 days

We are so happy to be in our new beds!!!!!!

It has been a few days since I posted last, so I'm not sure what all has happened since then. Last night (Sunday) the babies were both put in cribs, which is a HUGE step in the right direction. They aren't actually cribs, more like a plastic box; but if it gets us home, I don't care what it is!!!! Now they are being watched very carefully on their weight and temperature. They didn't eat as much today as they have been, but it wasn't too bad either. The main concern we have right now is Rylee's temperature. They consider normal between 97.0-99.0, and Rylee has dropped into the 96's again. At 5:00 she was 96.6, then at 8:00 she was 96.5. The nurse is suppose to call me at 11:00 if she is still this low or has dropped more. If she stays low for very long, they will put her back in the incubator. We have come too far for that.

As far as going home, nothing has really been mentioned other than in the next week "if everything goes ok." It is a good sign when they call and set up your CPR class, which they called me yesterday. I go tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:00 for CPR. Usually they do this when they know you should be going home soon.

Brent left yesterday afternoon, and I'm alone for the first time in 5 weeks. It wasn't too bad today; but that is probably because I had to run in circles trying to get their birth certificates straight. It seems they were suppose to give me an application for their birth certificates and didn't. I've been looking for them in the mail, and that would be why they haven't come. So I spent a good bit of time today getting that straight. But I did get it worked out, and actually was able to pick them up at the Health Department today. Now we are just waiting on Social Security cards.

I think Mom is already wanting to come back, but I'm trying to get her to wait and see if we find out when we will come home. If Rylee will get her temperature up and keep it up I think we could be home by Friday. That may be wishful thinking, but that is all I have right now.

I am off to bed, after a long prayer that Rylee will bring her temperature up! Please pray that she comes up, and stays up. Also pray that they will begin to eat a little more. That is basically all that is keeping us here right now. Lastly, pray that we are able to come home soon. Tomorrow the babies will be 5 weeks old, and 5 weeks ago today I went into labor. About now (9:23 PM) I was getting to Jackson. That doesn't seem like 5 weeks ago!!!!!!

Goodnight to all,
with love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee