Owen's home!!!

After 5 long days of separation the twins have been reunited!!  Owen John came home on Tuesday, January 25th!  It was much less fanfare as we just walked into the NICU, packed up their stuff and took our son home.  I was glad that we didn't have to room in again and it was an easy discharge.



So very lonely in my crib alone....




It's time to blow this joint!  I'm going home!


It's been an adjustment for everyone getting used to two different baby noises (they sure are loud when they sleep), how much time can they cry when  you are feeding their brother, how long can they really go between feedings in the middle of the night, etc.

Even Ike is having to make some adjustments.....So far the 85 pound puppy is doing well with the boys.  He is very curious with all their noises and wants to be in the same room as they are.  He now wants to spend much more time on the couch with us and will actually climb up into an open seat without an invitation (and quite gently I might add).  He will be a great friend for Brady and Owen (once they realize he is there).



He sat really still but just can't help himself from licking the baby....
they taste SO GOOD!



All tuckered out from keeping watch...he runs to their side when they cry

We've had a couple outings to the doctor which has made me realize that staying home right now isn't a terrible thing.  Both boys are gaining weight and are looking good....I think being at home together is good for everyone's health.

Getting ready for our first family outing...the doctor!

We are so blessed and grateful for our two tiny miracles.  Thank you for all your prayers!  We are so happy to be all home together.  Much more to come on our adventures at home!!

Brady's Home!

Things have been quite exciting around here so it's been a while since our last post.  Brady was scheduled to come home on Saturday, January 15th but decided he didn't want to leave without his brother...He had an apnea epsidoe and had to stay in the NICU for at least 5 more days.  We were now hopeful that both boys were going to come home together.  We got all discharge elements completed...shots, pictures, car seat tests....with a new discharge date for BOTH boys on Thursday, January  20th.  Unfortunately the day before our "rooming in"night in the NICU Owen decided to have a fairly severe apnea episode and could not be released.

With all that drama, we brought Brady home on Thursday without Owen and have been settling in with Brady.  Owen is scheduled to come home this coming Tuesday or Wednesday so we are praying that he doesn't have any more issues!



Twins discussing discharge plans...



Brady testing out his new bottle



Owen enjoyed his new bottles...thank you Aunt Martha!








Last picture together in the NICU

 We "roomed in" at the NICU the night before bringing Brady home.  That means we stayed in a room like a hotel suite inside the NICU with Brady to practice being at home with him.  The nurses would come in every 3 hours to check on us and then in the morning Brady got one last check-up from the pediatrician and was discharged.  Nobody slept well that night....the boys were upset about being separated and the parents were getting used to all the noises that a newborn makes!

Getting ready to go home!

Enjoying the swing...Thanks Dan and Nancy!



My first visitor....Meeting Uncle Chinh for the first time

 We are slowly figuring out how to care for a newborn and still visit the NICU at least twice a day.  We are ready to have both of our boys home and begin some sort of normalcy (whatever that means with 2 newborns)!

Love to all!

Premies LOVE to wear hats!

Now that the boys are in their crib they have to maintain normal body temperature in order to go home.  One way to keep their temps up is to wear a hat....

A gift from Labor & Delivery

One of Grammy's teachers made these for the boys

Doesn't that just melt your heart?

We know that Christmas is over but they just look so cute!

Current Update:  Brady 4 lbs 14 1/2 oz

                          Owen 4 lbs 3 oz

Brady is now getting all 8 feedings via bottle.  His feeding tube was removed on Sunday so he now only has his monitor leads on anymore.  He is fairly close to going home and we are getting excited. 

Owen is taking 6 of his 8 feedings by bottle.  He is still struggling a little bit with apnea issues so we need to continue to monitor this situation before he can go home.

Both boys have very strong good appetites and are eating like champs!  I was able to start breast feeding both boys on Sunday and was pleased with our success.  We are hoping that both boys are able to come home together but know that the NICU staff is providing the best care possible for the boys.  We know that God is watching over Brady and Owen which provides us comfort.

My first time to hold both boys!

Another exciting moment -- Rodney and I were both able to hold both boys at the same time.  It did require assistance from a nurse to get them in our arms and put them back to bed.  Luckily we have alot more years to perfect the art of holding and balancing both boys!



Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and kind words.  We can't wait for you all to meet them!

Moving in together!

Brady and Owen have now been in the NICU for 2 weeks and 4 days. 

Our first family photo



Current Update:  The boys are doing really well.  They are no longer on any medications and have moved into the "feeding and growing" stage.  They are taking 2 of their daily feedings by bottle.  Rodney and I try to give them one feeding a day....we all need the practice!

Biggest News of the week......Brady and Owen were moved to an open air crib TOGETHER yesterday, January 2nd.





The boys also had some good quality time with the family during touch times in the NICU.  Everyone pitched in with driving me to and from the hospital since Rodney had to go back to work and I wasn't able to drive.



Aunt Martha and Brady



Grammy and Brady

Grammy and Owen

 Grammy and Owen even took a nap together during their visit.

Aunt Rachael and Brady



One week old!

Brady and Owen celebrated their one week birthday on Christmas Eve, Friday December 24th.  We celebrated with a visit from Grammy (my mom) and Grandpa.  Unfortunately Grammy wasn't able to hold either of the boys.  Brady managed to pull out his second IV in the same number of days and had to work to get it placed back in.  All that excitement meant he needed some good rest time after our touch time was over. 

Owen's first bottle -- Look how brave Daddy is becoming!



Current Update:  Both boys are off all oxygen and are fully breathing on their own.  They also got their IVs removed and are only receiving "caffiene" through their feeding tubes.  The stimulant is to ensure that they don't have any apnea episodes.  Owen is not receiving phototherapy anymore and we are now able to hold him more often and for much longer periods of time. 



This week brought alot of firsts:  first bath, first snuggles, first bottles and even first hair styles.  We know that these are only the tip of the iceburg but we are so grateful for each one.  We feel amazingly blessed to be the parents of these two beautiful boys.  God has blessed us beyond measure this year!



Owen John



Owen's first bottle



Brady's first bottle

 

Brady's first "hair style" -- does this remind anyone of Daddy's old style???

Merry Christmas from the Stonemans!

Rodney, Sarah, Brady and Owen





We are now a Family of Four!!

After almost 6 weeks of bedrest and many months of anticipation the Stoneman twins have arrived!

Brady Rex Stoneman

December 17, 2010 at 2:16 pm

4 lbs 0 oz

16 1/2 inches

Owen John Stoneman

December 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm

3 lbs 6 oz

15 3/4 inches



Current update:  Both boys are still in the NICU. 

Brady is still getting supplemental oxygen but is off phototherapy for his jaundice.  He is suffering from bouts of sleep apnea so will be getting "caffeine" treatments over the next week.  He is now able to wear clothes and has almost grown out of preemie sizes!

Owen is off oxygen but is still getting phototherapy for his jaundice.

We can't wait until they are both off phototherapy and can be placed in the same crib together. 

Mommy and Owen having some touch time...

Check out the blonde hair!

Look at Brady's big eyes checking out his new digs...

Owen checking everything out

Holding Brady for the first time...

I can't believe how much black hair he has!

Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers.  Everyone is doing well and adjusting to the new way of life :)  We will continue to update with many more photos over the coming days....hopefully my blogging skills will improve as the boys grow!