Happy ONE MONTH Birthday!

They visited the doctor this week and have grown!!! Jasper was ( I think) 5 lbs. 4 oz. and Pippa was 4 lbs. 11 oz! Then on Friday, they went to the eye doctor. Preemies have to have their eyes tested since they are "preemies". They did splendidly there as well.

Charlie was able to be home last week and so the first week with both babies was with Mama and Daddy. Mama reports that the twins are acclimating to life at home. They are adjusting to "un" hospital life. They are both eating well and sleeping well. Every time that Aunt Tese gets to see them, they are asleep.

Today, Grandpa and Grandma Rhodes and Uncle Frank were over for a visit. There was lots of love being passed around. In just a few weeks, Aunt Amy and Cousin Abigail will come for their first visit. And by the way, Aunt Amy made INCREDIBLE cookies when the babies were born. They looked like they had been made by one of those special cookie bouquet places. They were pink and blue and just were just beautiful.

Twins........

Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.

Aristotle

Today, Jasper and Pippa were lying next to one another in the Mama's bed. They were swaddled and making small sounds....grunts, sighs, squeaks.....baby language. When I told Uncle M about going to see them, he asked if they were next to each other. I said yes, but they weren't facing each other. I told him about all those sweet baby sounds and he said, "I wonder if that is their way of talking to one another?" Could be farfetched, but maybe not so farfetched. They know one another. Why wouldn't they be making sounds to each other? Okay...I am no philosopher..mostly just an enamored aunt who can't get enough.

Confession: I did go in the house today for just one second to kiss that Pippa on the head. Jasper isn't left out....he has gotten LOTS of head kisses.

PIPPA IS HOME!!!!!

The nurses called Mama right when she returned home from visiting with Pippa and told her that she needed to come back. Pippa was being discharged from the NICU!!! So, Aunt Tese and M headed down to keep Silas and that crazy Jasper while Mama and Daddy went to get wee Pippa from the "joint".
Aunt Tese told Jasper several times that his sister was on her way home, but he really just didn't seem that interested. Mama was thrilled to have Jasper's "older" sister home from the hospital. Now, the fun begins. Will you pray that this transition will be good. It will have moments of frustration and tiredness, but they will be good, blessed moments. Praise God with us that Pippa and Jasper are home with Mama and Daddy and Silas.

New pictures are now uploaded on the slideshow and at the bottom of the blog.........and the very dark baby in the photos was our practice baby for CPR class!!!!!

Jasper is HOME!!!!

Jasper arrived home last night around 11 pm. Silas was THRILLED to get to see him. Jasper did great all through the night. Mama didn't get much sleep because she was taking care of Jasper. This morning, Aunt Tese and M got to babysit Jasper and Silas while Mama was at the hospital with Pippa.

Also, last night, Deda, Mama, Daddy and Aunt Tese took an infant CPR class. One of the upcoming photos is a picture of our practice baby. We all passed with flying colors.

Jasper is eating and pottying with the best of them. He sucks his bottle dry very quickly. His burps are very manly.

Keep praying for Pippa that she will eat and grow and get to come home.

More photos hopefully tomorrow.

More weight gain.....

Jasper is just gaining, gaining....he is now 4 lbs. 2 oz. As for Pippa, she also is gaining - 3 lbs. 14 oz. - she just isn't in a rush like Jasper is. Different staff members have suggested that Jasper might be able to go home soon, but once he is released, he can't visit Pippa for any reason. Mama and Daddy will have to have childcare for Silas and Jasper each time Mama goes to the hospital. She needs to go two times a day to feed and do kangeroo care. Pray that God's hand will be in this decision. Mama and Daddy are going to be taking CPR courses so that they will be prepared for anything. Others around them who will be taking care of the babies will also probably take the CPR courses.
Both babies will come home with monitors and so the folks who babysit will need to know what to do with all the monitor "stuff".
Mama and Daddy are both thrilled with the progress that Pippa and Jasper are making. Pray also that the staff members will be kind and caring in each situation. It is difficult when Mama is weary and is trying to take care of her family and also visit the hospital twice each day and recuperate from pregnancy.
Will be posting more pictures as soon as they are available.

Gaining Weight is GOOD!

Mr. Jasper is about to hit the ........4 lb. mark!!!! Mademoiselle Pippa is 3 lbs. 12 oz!! That's incredible! The twins are sleeping well and eating well. Mama reports that several times when she has visited, the babies have slept while she was there. Monday, she got to hold both babies at the same time and she just really rejoices in being able to do that.

Pray that Pippa and Jasper will continue to grow steadily and that Mama and Daddy will get the rest that they need. Pray for Silas as he has to wait to get to know his new brother and sister. Also, be in prayer for the family to be prepared when Pippa and Jasper come home.

From the Bible, an appropriate thanks.....

For all who continue to pray for Charlie, Elisabeth, Silas, Pippa and Jasper....and for all of you who have blessed them in SO many ways...............

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Great news..........

Both Pippa and Jasper sailed through their brain ultrasounds!!! That is wonderful news. Also in the good news department......Jasper now weighs 3.10 lbs. and Pippa is between 3.6 and 3.8 lbs! GO BABIES!! Also, good job MAMA for all that milk you are providing!

Daddy sent more photos, so check out the bottom of the blog or click on the slideshow at the side of the blog to see those beautiful faces.

Did I mention that the twins are wearing CLOTHES? The clothes are very big - do you know where to find clothes for 3 lb. preemies??? The hospital provides onesies that snap down the front. They really don't want clothes from home because the clothes get lost in the hospital laundry. This way, if something gets lost, it is no big deal. But, Aunt Tese is working hard on the "home from the hospital" preemie clothes.

Do you know the difference between a Stage One preemie and a Stage Three preemie??

Oops!

Okay, well, yesterday, I told a small fib. Pippa was not in an isolette any longer!!!!! She also was graduated to a bed of her own. Also got the info that Mama was able to hold both babies at one time....the management was a little concerned......they gave "that" look. But Mama held her ground. :)

This morning, the babies both had their brain ultrasounds. No word yet about the results. Pippa's took longer than Jasper's. That was worrisome. The brain scans were supposed to be early this morning, but the ultrasound tech didn't come until about the time that Mama was supposed to leave. I will post the results when they are available.

So....did you know what kangeroo care was????

"During Kangaroo Care, also known as skin-to-skin care, the baby is placed on the parent's chest, clad only in a diaper and cap. The baby's head is turned to the side so that it's ear is against the parent's heart. Vent tubing and wires are taped to the parent's gown. Usually, two nurses assist in the transfer from warming bed or isolet to the parent's chest. This process can take just 10 minutes, even with a vented baby. Kangaroo Care can also benefit older preemies and full-term babies."

If you want more info on Kangeroo Care then visit : http://www.geocities.com/roopage/

Okay....will get more photos soon....

Happy One Week Birthday (a day late)

Jasper is in a real bed!!! He was in it this morning when Mama Elisabeth arrived for the am feedings. Pippa still wasn't maintaining her body temperature so she had to stay in the isolette. So, good news that Jasper graduated to a bed, but bad news that they were separated.

They are both still gaining weight and Pippa is READY for her feedings at the exact moment that she is supposed to eat. She is very fond of physical touch and enjoys her kangeroo care. Do you know what kangeroo care is?????

Mama is recuperating well.....just very tired and wears out easily. Charlie and Silas are also doing well....Silas doesn't need near as much rest as Mom and Dad!!! HA!

Guess What?

Pippa and Jasper had their IV's taken out today. They are gaining weight on mother's milk, and so there is no need for supplements through the IV's. Pray that they continue to gain weight.

Have you checked out the slideshow? Charlie sent new photos to me of the twins in their isolette and also the one of them holding hands. They are so sweet. Tonight, when Cousin Aiden was praying before bed, he said, "Dear God, please give the babies health." It was a very sweet prayer.
Aunt Tese and Uncle Mark are going to the hospital to see the babies tonight. Uncle Mark hasn't seen them yet. He is looking forward to seeing them.

Remember you can leave comments if you want. I will forward them to Charlie and Elisabeth.

Happy First Independence Day!!!

Good news!!! Pippa and Jasper are both gaining weight!!!! They MIGHT be off their IV's this afternoon. When they are able to take 17cc's of milk, then they are eligible to be off the IV. Whoo Hooo!

Whenever Elisabeth holds the babies, they fall immediately asleep. When Charlie holds the babies, they sleep some and then stir around and smile and frown and look around. Isn't it interesting how they respond so differently?

Click here for the new slideshow. More photos uploaded this afternoon.

" I love you"

Pippa and Jasper are still sharing an isolette. The nurse got a picture of Pippa holding Jasper's hand. She also took a picture of Pippa with her hand on Jasper's arm.

Both have gained weight!!!! Nothing like good old mother's milk!

Mama E is at home. She is resting when she can and going to be with the babies when she can. Silas got to spend the day with Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle F yesterday. He had a great time.


I will try to get those new pictures posted as soon as possible.

Baseball and Babies

Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher's mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again. ~Jimmy Piersal, on how to diaper a baby, 1968