Days 8-15 in the NICU

Well folks, a LOT has happened since we last posted. The most exciting news is that our baby girl, Roslind, is home with daddy!!!!!!!!!!

Marshall and I are still at the hospital while he continues to grow (and boy is he growing). Originally, Jermaine and I were going to continue staying at the Ronald McDonald house, but we figured the best thing for Ros is that she go home and that we not expose her to too many people or germs at this point in her precious little life. I have to admit, watching them leave the hospital was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life. I am absolutely positive that she and daddy will be fine, but it's hard as a mother and wife to not be home with your entire family.
HOWEVER, Jermaine and I know that we made the right decision for our baby girl and we know that we will be together as a family again before long.

In other exciting news, Roslind left the hospital weighing 4 lbs, 12 oz and Marshall weighs.....



3lbs, 10 oz!!!!! He is growing so well and his little beautiful face is starting to fill out. I am still pumping milk and both babies will continue to receive through a bottle while they learn to breastfeed (which is something mommy and Marshall will be working on while we're still at the hospital). We're also adding a human milk fortifier to the breastmilk so they can receive even more nutrition. We're supplementing my breastmilk with formula for more fat. My milk production has doubled since my sister visited on Monday and gave me some great tips for pumping. Thanks little sis!

Marshall has also transitioned from the isolette to an open crib. No more plastic box!!!! He will be monitored for the next 3-5 days to make sure he is maintaining his body temperature, which means that we're one step closer to going home. So far, so good.

On early Friday morning Marshall's umbilical cord fell off. A few hours later, Roslind's fell off. Jermaine and I are always amazed at how alike they are, while still being so different. Yesterday, they took their hospital pics before Roslind was discharged. Can I just say that Jermaine and I both understand why every parent thinks they have the most beautiful children in the world? It's because it's true. We've never laid eyes on anyone so precious and beautiful. The hospital creates a website where family and friends can view the proofs online, but it won't be up for a few days. We will post the information here when it is available.

One of the greatest learning experiences from this whole NICU experience is how great a team Jermaine and I are. We work together quite seamlessly and are truly enjoying this blessing of parenting together.

Well, I'm sure that in my (and Jermaine's) sleep deprived stupor, we've forgotten to share something, but we'll keep updating as things progress.

So, on to a few pics.

Grandma feeding Roslind for the first time.

Is my mom glowing with pride, or what?!?

Grandma holding Marshall!!!
Proud father!!!

Look at me, I'm alert!!! The doctors keep underestimating me because of my size and think I'll be here another month. They obviously don't know my mom and dad too well (lol)! I'm blowing this popsicle stand in less than two weeks. Just wait and see!!!!
Don't I look like a sleeping angel?
Daddy, stop with that flash. It's interrupting my beauty rest!

Mommy brushing Roslind's hair. She needs to brush her own.




Daddy admiring his little prince.

Marshall the III enjoying kisses from Marshall, Jr. Or is it the other way around?

...and more kisses.


Auntie Ralanda holding Marshall after a long night's work.

Auntie Tamara feeding her nephew for the first time.

Mommy doting on her little princess.

Daddy doting on his little prince.

Prayer Requests:
Grow, grow, grow for Marshall.
Endurance and patience for mommy and daddy while we're separated as a family unit.

Day 7 in the NICU

We are so happy to share that the babies have both been moved to the TCU (Transitional Care Unit). When we called to check on them this morning the nurse asked if we knew that they'd been moved. We didn't, so of course, this was great good morning news.

The TCU is a step down from NICU in that the treatment and care are not as intense. In TCU, Jermaine and I get to take care of the babies ourselves while they gain weight. The nurses only come in to check on us around feeding times to make sure all is well. They also pop in periodically throughout the day to support our new parenting experience. The really great thing about TCU is that we can stay here with the babies. We are keeping our room at the Ronald McDonald house though because the cot bed here is quite small.

Marshall took a bottle with 40 mL and guzzled it down. Roslind's biggest bottle today was 45 mL. They don't play when it comes to eating. They are one week today!!!

We're so glad to be able to be by their bedsides throughout the day and are even more excited to be able to care for them ourselves.

Auntie Tamara is coming to visit the twins tonight. They're so excited!!!

Some pics from today.

Mommy and Ros
Daddy and Marshall
How cute is that tiny face in that large hand?

We almost caught his smile on film.

Roslind's "socks" They're more like leggings, huh?

This hat is messing up my fade.
Cute as a whistle!!!
Mommy and Ros-again.
Hi everybody!!! My mommy can't believe I'm hers.


That's it for today. Daddy is becoming quite the photographer.

Prayer requests:
Grow, grow, grow!

Day 6 Updates

Day 6 in the NICU:

I'll just prewarn you, there are no new pics today. We'll work on getting some more today.

The twins are doing well.

Marshall's food intake is now a minimum of 25mL, but he can eat as much as he'd like. Yesterday morning he ate 40mL at breakfast. I think this wore him out as he was kinda lethargic for the rest of the day (lol). He is now up to 3lbs, 1.5 oz, so he is definitely gaining weight. Daddy gave him his first (first for daddy) bath yesterday and he didn't like it too much. He cried the entire time.

Roslind's food intake has stayed the same and she is exactly 4lbs (her original birthweight). She too was lethargic yesterday so we're hoping this means a growth spurt for both of them. I gave Roslind her first bath (first for mommy) and she also didn't like it too much. She cried the entire time. I don't know folks, this whole- "we don't like baths or to be clean thing" is not gonna sit too well with mommy (lol).

Both babies had good poopies yesterday. Roslind has a new game she plays with daddy. It's called, "The Let's See How Many Times I Can Poop In a Row So Daddy Can Keep Changing Me Game." Both babies had their bilirubin levels (for jaundice) rechecked to make sure they stayed stabilized since they came off the lamps and they did, so no need for exchange transfusions for either. They will continue to be monitored for jaundice because it can come back.

The best news of the day is that the doctors are discussing sending both babies to the Transitional Care Unit which is less intense than NICU. It is the best news because then mommy and daddy can stay at the hospital in the same room together until they come home. This would be a God send as it is very difficult to be away from them. Jermaine and I are spending upwards of 10-13 hours a day at their bedside. This leaves room for pumping, some work for daddy and some sleep. Once they go to TCU, it will be the first time we've all slept under the same roof since they were born.

So, today's prayer requests are:
Please pray that the twins go to TCU.
Please pray that the twins continue to put on weight.

That's it for now. We'll post pics later today with today's updates.

Day 5 in the NICU (Lots of Developments)

Wow!!! Jermaine and I were so shocked to see all the comments you all left. We will try our best to update often. Scratch that thought about updating every day. I think I had a temporary lapse in sanity to think that was possible. We will update as we can, but we promise it will be several times each week until they leave the NICU.

Day 5 in the NICU: Day 5 brought many pleasantries. Because it is 2:17 in the morning, the best we can do is offer a bulleted list of the happenings.

• Marshall's food intake was increased from 15 to 20 mL this morning
• Roslind's food intake was increased from 31 to 34 mL this morning Both babies were able to come off the bilirubin (for jaundice) lights this evening
• We FINALLY got the twins isolettes next to one another. Before, we were separated by a wall and couldn't see both babies at the same time. Jermaine and I told the staff that we were going to request it every single day until it happened. And we did. And it happened.
• Marshall's IV started leaking because he kept trying to get it out by moving all the time and the nurse said they were going to have to start yet another IV. He's had about four or five IVs and as a mommy, I was on the verge of tears because I couldn't stand the thought of him having to be stuck-again. We asked the nurse if it was necessary since he was only 5 mL away from full feeds (needing no IV fluids) and she checked with the doctors and they said they were not going to put it back in. I have never prayed so hard for something in my life. Thank the Lord!!!!
• Marshall's food intake is now increased from 20 to 25 mL as of this evening. Please pray that his little belly can handle all of the increases. His appetite definitely can handle it, we just need to make sure his stomach can.
• Roslind had a great poopy and went all over while daddy was changing her.
• Both babies are back up to their original birthweights.

So, on to what you all really come here for---pictures!!!

Marshall snug as a bug
Roslind smiling. She does this often so the angels must be having good conversations with her.
We were trying to get a good picture of his little fade. It looks like he's already been to the barber (also known as daddy).
Roslind is preparing for her Hollywood headshots.

We were trying to catch his sleeping smile. It's adorable, but quick!

This is Marshall sleeping snugly on mommy's chest after eating.
Again, she's preparing for her world debut. And yes, she sleeps like this naturally. The glasses you see on them are to protect their eyes from the bilirubin lights. They don't like them and take them off often.
Marshall in his bili shades. Do you notice a pattern with the arms? We have several ultrasound pictures with them sleeping like this. It looks like we posed them, but we didn't and we took these pictures seconds apart. It must be comfy.
This is daddy's favorite picture of his little princess. Why was she so alert at 1:00 in the morning? Who knows?


Our prayer requests:

Please pray that Marshall's belly can handle the large jump in food intake.

Please pray that both babies continue to put on weight.

Please pray that their jaundice does not return.

Please pray that they can come home sooner than later.

That's it for now folks!

Welcome Marshall Josiah and Roslind Amariah

If you're visiting this blog it's because you are excited that Jermaine and I have just welcomed the two greatest blessings to this earth.

Marshall Josiah Knox, III was born Friday, December 28th at 5:45 pm weighing 2 lbs, 15 oz.

Roslind Amariah Knox was born Friday, December 28th at 5:48 pm weighing 4 lbs, 0oz.

Don't be fooled by their size. They are both healthy, fiesty and have TONS of personality (we wonder where they got that). Both babies are still in the NICU, but are doing extremely well. Their goal is to gain weight and be able to feed exclusively from a bottle or the breast.

Roslind has had all IVs and fluids removed and is eating on her own. She is a little jaundiced, but doing well. The thing that Jermaine and I are tickled the most about her is that her face looks like a little doll and she is very entertaining. She has some drama queen tendencies and likes things done her way. When it is time to eat, she wants what she wants when she wants it, or you're gonna here her roar! Roslind is now eating 31 cc at each feeding.

Marshall had his feeding tube removed today. Actually, Marshall pulled out his feeding tube (for the umpteenth time) because he didn't like it and the doctors finally caught on that he wants to eat from a bottle or mommy's breast only, so they decided not to put it back in and voila!!! He's eating from a bottle!!! He often lets us know that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover and don't underestimate him because he's small. He also has a little reputation around the NICU for his fiesty ways. Marshall is now eating 15 cc at each feeding.

So, as you're reading this, you're probably gettng annoyed because you want to see some pictures of the little cuties. Don't be alarmed, there are some tubes, but trust us---- they're doing well. Jermaine and I are spending tons of time at the NICU advocating for our little angels. We are staying at the Ronald McDonald house two blocks from the hospital and it has been a tremendous blessing. We will post more about that later. So...

on to some pics!!!!

Roslind

Mommy, Daddy and Marshall in the Operating Room



Marshall


Roslind




Marshall and Roslind on New Year's Eve. This is the first time they've been together since their birthday.

Daddy with the twins on New Year's Eve

Daddy's Little Girl

Our first family photo!!!

Mommy's Angels!!!