Day 2 - October 7, 2010

Today is the boys' second day of life and second day in the NICU.  Amazingly, they look like miniature people!  We did not know what to expect in terms of their appearance when we were told of their early entrance into the world.  They are both 13 inches long and when you comapre that to a full term baby, that is only 6-7 inches shorter.  They have all of the tiniest features that we all do including finger and toenails.  At this point, Aiden has not opened his eyes, but Jackson has.  Unfortunately today, we are not able to see their eyes because have masks on to protect them from the billylights.  Both boys are under the billylights to remove the jaundice in their skin, and to heal some of the brusies they received during delivery.  Their skin is not transparent as you may expect for babies born at this gestation.  The two main things they are lacking is the fat layer and mature organs that full-term babies have, and are the main reasons for being in the isolettes.

Both boys continue to be on the ventilator to assist with their breathing, which is completely normal for babies of this gestation.  It is encouraging though, that both boys are on the lowest settings for the ventilator, which means they are doing most of the breathing work on their own.  Tomorrow is a big day for them, as they will be getting their three day head ultrasounds to check for any IVHs or brain bleeds.

To find out more facts on pre-mature births, and what to expect, the March of Dimes website (link below) has some valuable information.

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1157.asp



Jackson under the billylights (left). If you look closely at how he is wrapped up, the blankets take the shape of an adult slipper!









Aiden face shot sans mask (left).  Aiden under the lights (right). 

Below are a couple short video clips I took.

Above:  Aiden chillin in the isolette.  The movements he makes are normal, and would be the same as if he were still inside mom!  So all those kicks we were feeling before delivery, were these types of movements.

Above:  Jackson taking it easy in his isolette.

The videos are hard to see because both boys are under the billylights.  Once they are off of them, the videos will become clearer.  So, don't adjust your monitor settings :)