The Schlegel Family: Our little firecrackers

Since we aren't allowed to have fireworks in Texas this year, we were counting on our boys to provide some entertainment over the holiday weekend. We thought we had a reason to celebrate yesterday when they moved Carter to an open crib, right next to his brother. But when we got to the hospital this morning, Carter was back in an isolette. He got cold overnight and was not maintaining his own temperature, so he will be in the isolette for awhile. In his defense, they typically wait until babies are at least 4 pounds before putting them in the isolette, so Carter still has a bit to go. We actually believe he tried to make himself cold so he could go back in his quiet and dark isolette. Right when he was taken out yesterday, our boys got a very noisy new neighbor. A full term baby who just needed some breathing assistance was brought in and placed about 5 feet away from them (the NICU is over capacity right now). Full term, full size babies can really make a whole lot of noise. So we think Carter just realized "Hey, why would I want to be out here where it's noisy and cold?"

While we are sad that they can't both be out in the same crib together, we know it's good for Carter to still be in an isolette. This way he can use his energy for growth and practicing feeding, rather than trying to keep himself warm. Turns out when you only weigh 3lbs, you don't have much fat to keep you warm. Who knew? :)

The boys are still growing though. Anderson is so close to the 5lb mark at 4lbs, 15oz. Carter is 3lbs, 3oz. Their feedings are going okay. They have good days and bad days. The nurse provided some comfort to us yesterday when she reminded us that all babies learn how to eat. It's not a question of "if," it's a question of "when." They seem to get all of the mechanics, but sometimes are too tired to put it all together, or in Anderson's case, perhaps a little too lazy. Right now, the doctor's orders are for them to breastfeed once per day. If they breastfeed for less than 10 minutes, we give them a full feeding through their tube. If they feed for over 10 minutes, then once they are done, we just offer a bottle to see if they are still hungry. Anderson fed for quite awhile last night and wasn't interested in a bottle afterwards, so he may have taken his full feeding.

They have changed the fortifier that the boys are taking. The fortifier they were on before was specifically made for preemies and is not something the boys could still be on when they leave the hospital. They transitioned Anderson to a different supplement that is for transitional babies (e.g., from preemie to more newborn size). Carter is getting a different supplement that has more calcium and phosphorus in it to promote bone growth. Carter's supplement also has more calories, so hopefully it will help him to grow as well. They are both taking in more food as well. Anderson is up to 42ml per feeding and Carter is taking 31ml.

Carter's hemoglobin levels were back up to normal this week which is great. They will continue on his shots just to ensure that he can make enough red blood cells and then see how he does on his own. His billirubin count was a bit higher, so the doctor is continuing to monitor that. His liver appears to be functioning well, so the doctor is not too concerned and thinks he will grow out of this as he gets larger.

Here are some new pictures of the boys:

Anderson wearing his "Handsome like Daddy" shirt

Anderson taking a bottle

Anderson getting his temp taken (whichhe hates), but wearing his cool shirt from Grandma Jean (and you can't see the ridiculously cute plaid shorts that match it)