Moving Right Along

This past week has brought even more firsts to our family. Jackson came out of the incubator and is now in a crib. He also started bottle feeding for the first time. He is still getting used to it and has a ways to go until we can remove his feeding tube, but he is moving in the right direction and this is one more obstacle he will need to overcome before he can come home. He is also trying to breastfeed once per day and he is doing really well. Premature babies have trouble coordinating their suck, swallow, and breathe reflexes, so it is really encouraging that he is doing so well.

Jackson also got to be held by G-Ron (Grandma Ronee) for the first time. So far in the NICU, Dad and I have been the only ones to hold the babies, so it was quite special for my mom to get to hold her Grandson for the first time. She loved every second of it and so did he.

Our babies also hit big milestones in their weight this week. Jackson is now over 5 lbs and Reagan is over 4 lbs. They have come a long way in the past 4 weeks and are really doing well. We are so thankful that they are progressing this well. We can't wait to have them home!

Catching Up

On July 23, I was admitted to the hospital for signs of preterm labor. At just shy of 28 weeks, it was too early to be having our babies. They gave me a round of steroids just in case the babies decided they weren't ready to wait. The steroids help to develop the lungs and brain of the babies and consists of two shots given 24 hours apart. It looked like they would be releasing me to bed rest at home, but my water ruptured and it meant I was stuck in the hospital on bed rest until the babies arrived.

27 weeks pregnant, a week before being admitted to the hospital

My friends came from all over to celebrate my baby shower while I was in the hospital.

I have the greatest friends!

 

The plan was to watch for infection and monitor me and the babes until 34 weeks, at which point they would deliver via csection. Yup, it looked like I was going to be in the hospital for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, while in the hospital, I developed HELLP Syndrome which is a complication of pre-eclampsia and after monitoring me for 2 weeks in the hospital, the syndrome had progressed to a point where it was safer for me to deliver the babies, then to wait any longer.

So at 29 weeks and 3 days, we gave birth to our beautiful babies. Jackson Aaron McCann was born at 8:05 PM on August 5, 2012 weighing in at 3 lbs 6 oz and 16.5 inches long. His sister, Reagan Blake McCann was born at 8:07 PM and weighed in at 2 lbs 14 oz and 14.5 inches long. Jackson came out breathing just fine and we were able to see him and hold him right after birth. However, since his sister's water had ruptured, she required immediate attention and we were only able to see her from a distance. They were taken immediately to the NICU for evaluation and treatment.

Mommy seeing Jackson for the first time

Reagan's diaper size

Thankfully, our babies have progressed wonderfully in the NICU. They were intubated for a couple days, then went to cpap machines for a couple days and within the week they were getting oxygen through nasal prongs. Jackson is now breathing with out assistance and weighs in at 4 lbs 7 oz. His sister, Reagan, is still receiving breathing assistance from the nasal prongs and weighs 3 lbs 8 oz. They get fed breastmilk/formula through a feeding tube in their nose, but it looks like Jackson may be able to learn to bottle feed soon. Mommy visits them every day during their feeding time and holds them for a couple hours and Daddy stops by before and after work and then on the weekends. They will most likely be in the NICU for another 4 weeks or so. Daddy and Mommy can't wait to have them home, but we know they are in the best place possible for them right now and we are so thankful that they are doing well. They are the sweetest little things.

 Jackson

 

Reagan

 

The nurses leave cute little messages on the boards in each of their rooms! It's nice to get these updates.

 

Mommy and Daddy giving Reagan a bath for the first time

After her bath :)

 

Mommy changing Jackson's diaper (the nurses put us to work in the NICU)

Holding both of my babes for the first time together! Simply amazing

And the second

 

 

 

Sunday Arts and Crafts

I am the sort of person who gets lots of great ideas for projects, but I never seem to start them. Or if I do, I defintely don't finish the project. Well, this Sunday, with the help of Aaron, I was finally able to start and finish some craft projects that I have been wanting to do for a long time.

The first one, I saw on someone's blog and wanted to recreate the artwork that I saw. Here is my inspiration:

And here is my finished project:

It was actually a relatively easy project once I got started. Aaron really helped with roughing it up and making it look more rustic in the end. I am so pleased with the finished project.

From there, we decided to finally make the pallet shelving that I had been wanting to make. I got a wooden pallet from a friend and saw these shelves on Pinterest. Aaron did most of the work, but I helped by providing moral support and holding wood in place while he cut it. This project was a little more work, but it didn't take too long with Aaron's help. I am so happy with the final product and glad that we were able to get them done. We also made a magazine "rack" for Aaron as well out of the leftover pallet.

Overall, it was a very productive day. I am so glad I can finally cross some projects off my to-do list.

Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday! 





New Year, New Beginnings!

As you can tell from my previous post, last year definitely had it's ups and downs. I must say the ups were really good. My best friend Christie had her daughter Avery in March and I have enjoyed watching her grow throughout the year via picture messages and Facebook! I love technology.





My other best friend Avery, got married in Maui in June of this year and I was a bridesmaid in her beautiful wedding.







Aaron and I celebrated 4 wonderful years together in July and enjoy each other more and more as the years go on. With everything going on in our lives, he has been my rock and so supportive and I love him for that.



We have a lot to look forward to in 2012. Two of my good friends announced that they are expecting next Summer within a month of each other and our friends Chris and Katie Driving Hawk welcomed baby boy Bryson into the world on December 31, so we will have lots of babies around to play with.




As far as the downs go, my parents decided to split and both of my dad's parents had some health problems towards the end of the year, so that was a hard way to end the year. Overall though I'd say it was a decent year and I in spite of all the bad I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. However, I am definitely welcoming 2012 with open arms. I really think 2012 will be a year for new beginnings and good things will happen this year. I am excited to see what it has to bring.


May you all have a blessed New Year!!