Day 8: The Big Sister Visits her Baby Brothers

This will be a short post, as I am so tired tonight. My pumping schedule has changed to be every 2 hours instead of 3, and it takes a lot out of me (no pun intended!). I finish pumping and have about an hour and a little bit before I have to set up to start over. But this is what the lactation consultant has advised in order to get a good supply going to nurse twins, so it’s what I’ve got to do.

The rash on my belly is horrendous and the hydrocortisone is not really helping. Neither is my underwear, which has elastic that lays right across the itchiest part. My mom arrives tomorrow and I think that underwear shopping is going to be a top priority in the next day or two. I know the rash will be gone in a few more days (hopefully), but anything to minimize the discomfort in the meantime would be great.

The swelling in my hands and feet have lessened considerably and it’s no longer painful to walk, thankfully.

The c-section incision seems to be doing well. I’m surprised that it’s basically numb all across where I was opened. The staples are out and now I have steri-strips running vertically along the horizontal incision, so with my discolored and still puffy belly button above it as a nose, it looks like a creepy jack-o-lantern smile. I suppose my breasts are they eyes! Ha ha!

We got an early start at the NICU today, as we wanted to beat the Husky game day traffic (the hospital is across the street from Husky Stadium). When we got there, it was time to pump, so I started with that. Then it was time for Nate to feed, so I held him to my breast and he latched on and got a bit. He’s doing great learning to nurse! I’m impressed with what a strong suckle he has for such a tiny boy.

After Nate’s feed, it was Ace’s turn. He latched on like a trooper and really surprised the nurse with his suckling abilities. She suggested we start to do before and after weights to see how much he’s taking in, so we’ll try that with the next feeding I am at.

They are both remarkably cute when they nurse. First of all, they are so tiny it’s amazing to see those little mouths open so very wide and just grab hold like a little piranha. And then they take a few good pulls of milk and just fall right to sleep. It’s adorable.

We left the NICU early today because Lindsay was bringing Calista to stay with us. They arrived a little after 3 pm and Calista was so happy to see us, as we were to see her. She saw her pink princess booster seat and loves it. I read the card that Skip and I wrote out to her and she was very proud.

After some play time, we took her and Lindsay to the hospital to see the boys. Calista donned her doctor gear and headed in. We found her some smaller gloves this time so she could touch the babies better. She started with Ace and gave him his binky and patted him gently. Then it was time for Ace to feed again, so I came to nurse him. Calista got very upset when i got to hold Ace — and she didn’t. She started to cry, so I suggested that they go see Nate and see if he might be able to be held.

Unfortunately, Nate had just eaten and his nurse was afraid he’d spit up, so she didn’t want to take him out of his isolette. Calista was very disappointed. Skip took her off to the play room to try to take her mind off of it.

Ace was tuckered out from his nursing, so I asked his nurse if perhaps we could swaddle him and let Calista hold him for a few moments. She said that would be fine, so Lindsay went to get Skip and Calista while the nurse got Ace ready.

Calista climbed up in the chair and I put the Boppy (nursing pillow) in front of her. The nurse placed little Ace in Calista’s arms and she held him all by herself like such a big girl. She was so proud to hold him and even though we were all very nervous as she held him, she did a great job. She’s excited to maybe hold Nate tomorrow.

My big girl holding my baby boy (Ace)

Lindsay has headed home to Bellingham now, and Calista and Skip are asleep. My mom will be here in the morning and so I’m not sure what we’ll be doing. I am sure she is dying to see that babies, but she’ll only see Calista tomorrow (then Calista and Skip head back to Bellingham) and then next Friday night and Saturday before Grammy heads home. So tomorrow will hopefully be mostly Grammy and Calista time. I know Skip is going to take her to the museum and Seattle Center — I am guessing Grammy will go with them and maybe I will go to the NICU since I can’t walk around places like that yet.

Oh, and I almost forgot… one of Ace’s NICU neighbors is going home tomorrow so Nate will be able to be moved into her area right next to Ace. Now they won’t be in separate rooms and will have the same nurse every day, so it will make visiting and getting updates so much easier! I can’t wait for them to be close together again.

PS ~ So much for this being a short post…