Twin Update

Sutton had his post-op appointment this week in KC.  The doctor was very pleased and said that he just needs an x-ray every six months until he is two.  Fortunately, we can do this in Columbia so we think our trips to KC are done for now.

My school year started up last week.  I had been dreading leaving the boys, although a part of me was excited to get back into the classroom.  Morning #1 was rough!  The boys started going to their sitter and they seem super happy there.  They are going to an in-home daycare with 4 other little ones.  We love their sitter!  She has six children of her own ranging from elementary to adult.  Sometimes when we go to pick up the boys, one of her kids is holding or playing with one of the boys- it really warms our hearts.  There is so much love in that house and our boys get so much attention!

Before taking the boys' to daycare for the first time, I had a little chat with the boys' pediatrician.  I expressed my concern about taking them to any daycare/sitter and them getting sick.  To me, daycare represents my boys going out into the real world where there are new people, new germs, and catching a cold or virus is inevitable.  The doctor warned me that this winter would be very rough on both boys due to their prematurity.  Their lungs and immunity are less developed than full-term babies. He said that we will be seeing a lot of each other this winter.  

Well, imagine my surprise when both boys developed a runny nose this week.  I played it cool for a day or two and didn't call the doctor.  The next day, they both had a tiny cough.  Yesterday morning we woke up and I thought Lawson's cough sounded a little worse, but he still had no fever, was eating his full feeds, and had slept great the night before.  By the end of the day though, he wasn't eating as well and had a low-grade fever.  I made an appointment and the doctor squeezed us in yesterday afternoon.

Lawson's cold had turned into bronchiolitis (the most well known bronchial virus is RSV although the doctor said he does not have RSV at this point).  The virus causes asthma-like symptoms so needless to say Lawson is not too comfortable.  This morning, he woke up with no temperature and was eating great.  After a short nap though, his temperature had spiked to 101.  I called the doctor and he wanted to see him in case there was a secondary illness.  After bloodwork and an x-ray, all signs are still pointing to a virus.  There's no medicine to treat it, so we are just using saline, a nasal bulb syringe, vapor rub, and a humidifier.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that the virus clears up and doesn't get any worse.  The pediatrician told us that most of the boys' colds will turn into bronchiolitis this winter- bummer!  Welcome to the next 6-7 months of our lives!

On a happier note, here are some pictures of our cuties:

(Lawson, Sutton)

(Sutton, Lawson)

(Lawson eating carrots for the first time)

(Sutton rocking the Bumbo)

Getting Back to Normal

Well, it's been a little over a week since Sutton's surgery.  His pain seems to be under control and he's not needing as much ibuprofen.  We are seeing his happy side a lot, but his cranky side has been coming out in full force as well!

The last time we spent the night in the hospital, it took a day or so for him to get back on schedule.  This time though, we are definitely a long way away from our routine.  It's no surprise it's been a rough transition home.  There was zero routine in the hospital as he went a couple of days without eating.  He was also awakened several times throughout the night to have his temperature taken, get medicine, and have his diaper changed.  So for the past week, it's be an accomplishment to get him to sleep before 9 (he had been going to bed at 7:30).  He is also waking up around 2 and 4 whereas he had been sleeping all the way until 5 without waking up.  In the past 5 days, he has probably taken a total of 1 1/2 hours of naps during the day.  Needless to say, he's spent a good deal of time crying when he should be napping.  It's been a long week:).  Thankfully Andrew's mom was here to help!

Lawson made an easy transition home- one out of two isn't bad:).  That little guy is learning to sleep through some pretty intense screaming!

Here are the boys in one of Sutton's happy moments:

It's hard to believe summer break is almost over.  I've absolutely loved getting to spend so much time with the boys.  I was hoping I would feel more "ready" to go back to work, but I'm just not there yet.  I hope as soon as I get back into the swing of things, it will get easier.

We've got one more follow-up post-op appointment in KC at the end of the month and we are hopeful to put Sutton's health issues behind us.  Thanks for the support!