Ethan and Sophia got to take their first rides on the Mass Pike today. We finally got in at Newton-Wellesley Hospital's Special Care Nursery, so the babies packed up and moved out.
After the ride was over, we all got settled at Newton-Wellesley. Our new doctors checked the babies to be sure that they were okay. Everything looked good. So good, in fact, that Ethan and Sophia were given open-air cribs when we arrived which is the next step toward regulating their own temperatures and coming home - we didn't get any pictures of their new digs, but will take and post some soon.
The babies have made so much progress in their 11 days with us! They are breathing on their own, and gaining weight. The next hurdles are regulating their own temperatures, feeding orally, and coming home. We can't wait and are hoping for early Christmas presents this year! :)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Kangaroo Care
A couple quick pics from today's kangaroo care... Steve and I kangaroo the babies every day. Early on, they needed to be under the phototherapy lights, so we could only hold them for 1 hour, but now we can hold them for up to 3 hours depending on how the babies are doing (e.g. their temperature, etc.) and depending on how much water we drink before then (e.g. we have to go to the bathroom). It is so relaxing and nice to hold them!
Some pics from today...
Steve and Sophia...
Stephanie and Ethan...
Some pics from today...
Steve and Sophia...
Stephanie and Ethan...
Sophia after another try at breastfeeding...
Friday, November 23, 2007
1 Week Old :: Thanksgiving Graduation!
We celebrated Sophia and Ethan's first week and Thanksgiving yesterday. We have so much to be thankful for... the babies are getting stronger every day. Both of them are now breathing on their own. Their brain scans (ultrasounds) came back perfectly normal. They are up to full feeds through their gavage tubes (about 34ml each time - a total of 68ml) After losing weight like all babies do after birth, they are now gaining weight. Sophia tried breastfeeding yesterday and actually latched on! Sophia and Ethan are beginning to open their eyes and look around more. Best of all, our little troopers were downgraded to Level II Intermediate Care ward yesterday. The downgrade is a good thing - they are now classified as "feeders and growers" which means that they have no medical issues, and just need to get bigger and stronger before coming home.
As soon as there is space available, we'll be able to transfer the babies to the Newton Wellesley Hospital which is closer to home. The Newton Wellesley Hospital, or S-Newton (snootin') S-Wellesley (swells-ley) Hospital as one nurse called it... has a newly built, spacious, and posh special care facility (Level II) where the babies will continue to feed and grow until they can come home - hopefully by Christmas! The facility is currently full, and we're hoping space will become available within the next week or so.
After several hours of family time with the babies yesterday, we went to Steve's parents' house for Thanksgiving. The meal was delicious, but the highlight of the dinner was Chrisanne's cheescake. If you've ever tried to make a cheesecake, then you know that it takes real talent to make one that doesn't have cracks in the middle. As it turns out, Chrisanne's cheescake was a crack-free masterpiece - and delicious with the cherry topping! Steve and I had a great time with Chrisanne and Bernie!
It is an understatement to say that we feel thankful that the babies are okay and that they are able to receive such good care, and grateful for such a loving community of people who continue to support us and cheer us on.
Sophia often sleeps with her mouth open...
Sophia wakes up to have her temperature taken and a diaper change before eating...
Sophia looks around...
Sophia still has some jaundice, so after her diaper change, it's back under the lights...
Ethan likes to sleep with his hand under his chin...
Ethan dreams of big things...
As soon as there is space available, we'll be able to transfer the babies to the Newton Wellesley Hospital which is closer to home. The Newton Wellesley Hospital, or S-Newton (snootin') S-Wellesley (swells-ley) Hospital as one nurse called it... has a newly built, spacious, and posh special care facility (Level II) where the babies will continue to feed and grow until they can come home - hopefully by Christmas! The facility is currently full, and we're hoping space will become available within the next week or so.
After several hours of family time with the babies yesterday, we went to Steve's parents' house for Thanksgiving. The meal was delicious, but the highlight of the dinner was Chrisanne's cheescake. If you've ever tried to make a cheesecake, then you know that it takes real talent to make one that doesn't have cracks in the middle. As it turns out, Chrisanne's cheescake was a crack-free masterpiece - and delicious with the cherry topping! Steve and I had a great time with Chrisanne and Bernie!
It is an understatement to say that we feel thankful that the babies are okay and that they are able to receive such good care, and grateful for such a loving community of people who continue to support us and cheer us on.
Sophia often sleeps with her mouth open...
Sophia wakes up to have her temperature taken and a diaper change before eating...
Sophia looks around...
Sophia still has some jaundice, so after her diaper change, it's back under the lights... 
Ethan likes to sleep with his hand under his chin...
Ethan dreams of big things...
Ethan wakes up...
Our little Ethan glow worm...
Chrisanne and her famously delicious cheesecake (and no cracks!)...
Steve's favorite is the cherry topping...
Bernie loves the cherry topping also!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sophia Plum and Ethan Pepper Gregoire
Just a quick update... Steve and I came home from the hospital yesterday night. It was hard to come home without the babies, but we know that they're in very good, very safe hands. I miss them terribly and can't wait for them to grow strong enough to be here with us where they belong.
Before we left the hospital we needed to give the babies middle names. We decided on Sophia Plum and Ethan Pepper. We considered many names, and in the end picked Plum for Sophia and Pepper for Ethan. When we first settled on the names around week 20, we brainstormed middle names. The first name that popped out of Steve was Sophia Plum. It stuck. I came up with Ethan Pepper after we decided on Sophia Plum. :)
Today was my first day going into the hospital, and I was there from 7am until about 4pm. It was a long day, but I just love being with our babies... Steve had interviews and job stuff to work on today, so he came for the morning feeding and "kangaroo-ed" Ethan for two hours while I kangaroo-ed Sophia. "Kangaroo care" provides skin-to-skin contact for the babies and parents, and has been shown to help babies' brain development, regulate their temperature, breathing and heart rate, and to make them grow faster. During kangaroo care, the baby lies on the parent's chest. It is the most marvelous feeling...
Both babies are still doing well. Ethan went back on the CPAP - a breathing apparatus that helps him to keep the air sacs in his lungs open. It is common for preemies to go on and off the CPAP breathing help. Hopefully he'll be strong enough soon to go off it. Sophia is also needing some help, but is on the "high flow" which is just a tube that blows air in her nose to remind her to breathe. Again... very common and not something to worry about. Both babies should outgrow their need for help within the next week or two.
Ethan and Sophia are up to full feedings now. Early on, both were receiving calories via IV but are now digesting a combination of breastmilk and formula. My milk is finally coming in and I am just about keeping up with their needs. The lactation consultant says that I'll continue to produce more milk over the next week and should be producing more than the babies need soon.
Many thanks to everyone who has emailed, called, checked in, and sent stuff for us! Our email boxes are full of good thoughts, well-wishes, and lots of love. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will hopefully have time to respond soon!
More pics of Ethan coming soon! For now, a couple of Sophia...
Sophia on the "high flow"...
Before we left the hospital we needed to give the babies middle names. We decided on Sophia Plum and Ethan Pepper. We considered many names, and in the end picked Plum for Sophia and Pepper for Ethan. When we first settled on the names around week 20, we brainstormed middle names. The first name that popped out of Steve was Sophia Plum. It stuck. I came up with Ethan Pepper after we decided on Sophia Plum. :)
Today was my first day going into the hospital, and I was there from 7am until about 4pm. It was a long day, but I just love being with our babies... Steve had interviews and job stuff to work on today, so he came for the morning feeding and "kangaroo-ed" Ethan for two hours while I kangaroo-ed Sophia. "Kangaroo care" provides skin-to-skin contact for the babies and parents, and has been shown to help babies' brain development, regulate their temperature, breathing and heart rate, and to make them grow faster. During kangaroo care, the baby lies on the parent's chest. It is the most marvelous feeling...
Both babies are still doing well. Ethan went back on the CPAP - a breathing apparatus that helps him to keep the air sacs in his lungs open. It is common for preemies to go on and off the CPAP breathing help. Hopefully he'll be strong enough soon to go off it. Sophia is also needing some help, but is on the "high flow" which is just a tube that blows air in her nose to remind her to breathe. Again... very common and not something to worry about. Both babies should outgrow their need for help within the next week or two.
Ethan and Sophia are up to full feedings now. Early on, both were receiving calories via IV but are now digesting a combination of breastmilk and formula. My milk is finally coming in and I am just about keeping up with their needs. The lactation consultant says that I'll continue to produce more milk over the next week and should be producing more than the babies need soon.
Many thanks to everyone who has emailed, called, checked in, and sent stuff for us! Our email boxes are full of good thoughts, well-wishes, and lots of love. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will hopefully have time to respond soon!
More pics of Ethan coming soon! For now, a couple of Sophia...
Sophia sleeps soundly.
Sophia on the "high flow"...
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Holding Sophia and Ethan for the first time...
Just some quick pics we took last night holding the babies until 12:30am! The babies are continuing to do very well and are both breathing on their own.
Steve holding (and admiring!) Ethan...
Ethan snuggling with Dad...
Ethan snuggling with Mom...
Our lovely Sophia snuggling with Mom...
Sweet Sophia...
Sophia snuggling with Dad (who is tired, but blissful)... 
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007 :: Happy Birthday Sophia and Ethan!
Sophia and Ethan decided to surprise us and come early! I went into preterm labor yesterday, so we came to the hospital around 1pm - when we arrived we had no idea that we would be meeting the babies 5.5 hours later!!! By 3pm my water broke and the doctors couldn't stop my labor. So I had an emergency c-section and here they are!
Their stats are below:
Both 31.5 weeks:
Sophia met us at 6:29pm
She weighed in at 4 pounds, 10.5 ounces
She is 18 inches long
Her apgar scores were 9 and 9 (highest is 10)
Ethan followed quickly at 6:32pm
He weighed in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces
He is 17.25 inches long
His apgar scores were 7 and 8
Both babies are doing well in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). They look very good, and when we told the NICU nurse that we feel optimistic about their progress she replied that we have every reason to be optimistic - the babies are both doing very well.
Both Ethan and Sophia needed help breathing at first, but are now both breathing on their own. We're just about to head down to the NICU now to hold them for the first time and will post more pics with less tubes tomorrow. The pictures below are a little scarry, but just remember that all the technology and tubes are helping the babies to thrive and get stronger. One of the NICU nurses even characterized our babies as "robust"! We are so thankful for all of the help and support we're receiving here!!!
Sophia's notes:
Their stats are below:
Both 31.5 weeks:
Sophia met us at 6:29pm
She weighed in at 4 pounds, 10.5 ounces
She is 18 inches long
Her apgar scores were 9 and 9 (highest is 10)
Ethan followed quickly at 6:32pm
He weighed in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces
He is 17.25 inches long
His apgar scores were 7 and 8
Both babies are doing well in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). They look very good, and when we told the NICU nurse that we feel optimistic about their progress she replied that we have every reason to be optimistic - the babies are both doing very well.
Both Ethan and Sophia needed help breathing at first, but are now both breathing on their own. We're just about to head down to the NICU now to hold them for the first time and will post more pics with less tubes tomorrow. The pictures below are a little scarry, but just remember that all the technology and tubes are helping the babies to thrive and get stronger. One of the NICU nurses even characterized our babies as "robust"! We are so thankful for all of the help and support we're receiving here!!!
Sophia's notes:
Sophia minutes old! We don't have a similar pic of Ethan because he was getting help breathing from the doctors...
GramGram came up to Boston to visit with Sophia and Ethan. Sophia is getting phototherapy to help with a bit of bruising that may turn into jaundice.
Sophia is hanging out under the lights - mellow girl!
...all of the technology that is helping Sophia to thrive...
Ethan's notes:
Our mellow little boy...
All the technology helping Ethan to thrive...
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Week 31 (and a half) :: Gasp! and sigh of relief...
Everything is fine now, but we had a little scare last night. I started having contractions about 7 to 8 minutes apart. So we piled into the car and went to the emergency room at the Brigham.
The nurse hooked me up to a monitor to measure the babies' heart rates and to track the contractions. The babies both looked fine the entire time. For the first couple hours the contractions came about 7 to 8 minutes apart and after 1/2 a liter of fluids via IV the contractions thankfully began to subside.
The doctors did an FFN (fetal fibronectin) test. The test is a good indicator of whether or not I'll go into labor within the next two weeks. My test was negative which means there's a 99% chance that I will NOT go into labor within the next two weeks. Which, needless to say, is fantastic news.
I had a regular ultrasound and appointment scheduled today with Dr. Acker. It was good to follow up with him. He reassured us that while we need to watch for contractions in the future, we have very good odds of waiting at least another 2 weeks.
The whole experience triggered a minor online shopping spree last night to gather the rest of the must-have items for the babies when they're born. We may meet them any time now! Wow! :)
In other news, we bought a 2005 Toyota Sienna minivan this past weekend. A few weeks ago, Steve discovered that the infant car seats won't fit in our Honda Civic, so we started looking. The extra space will be great and it will also be wonderful to have two cars for the first time since we've known each other.
Steve's job hunt is going very well. He has a second interview and a third interview scheduled this week and continues to get lead after lead...
Some pics of the babies (finally)! Both are extremely active and I feel them almost all the time...
Our little girl's profile. She now weighs about 4 pounds, 6 ounces (86th percentile)
The nurse hooked me up to a monitor to measure the babies' heart rates and to track the contractions. The babies both looked fine the entire time. For the first couple hours the contractions came about 7 to 8 minutes apart and after 1/2 a liter of fluids via IV the contractions thankfully began to subside.
The doctors did an FFN (fetal fibronectin) test. The test is a good indicator of whether or not I'll go into labor within the next two weeks. My test was negative which means there's a 99% chance that I will NOT go into labor within the next two weeks. Which, needless to say, is fantastic news.
I had a regular ultrasound and appointment scheduled today with Dr. Acker. It was good to follow up with him. He reassured us that while we need to watch for contractions in the future, we have very good odds of waiting at least another 2 weeks.
The whole experience triggered a minor online shopping spree last night to gather the rest of the must-have items for the babies when they're born. We may meet them any time now! Wow! :)
In other news, we bought a 2005 Toyota Sienna minivan this past weekend. A few weeks ago, Steve discovered that the infant car seats won't fit in our Honda Civic, so we started looking. The extra space will be great and it will also be wonderful to have two cars for the first time since we've known each other.
Steve's job hunt is going very well. He has a second interview and a third interview scheduled this week and continues to get lead after lead...
Some pics of the babies (finally)! Both are extremely active and I feel them almost all the time...
Our little girl's profile. She now weighs about 4 pounds, 6 ounces (86th percentile)
Our little boy was hiding today - this is his back... He now weighs 4 pounds, 3 ounces (81st percentile)
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Week 30 (and a half) :: Non-Stress Test and Delivery Date
We met with Dr. Acker again today after we had an hour-long non-stress test. The non-stress test measures the babies' heartbeat, first while the baby is resting and then while they're moving. Just as your heart beats faster when you're active, the babies' heart rate should go up while they're moving or kicking. Our little ones passed with flying colors - their hearts are beating well, and they're mellow and unstressed which is all good.
We also scheduled a c-section with Dr. Acker for December 31st at 11:30am - yay babies, yay tax break for 2007! While I'm not restricted to having a c-section, because the babies have been breech the entire pregnancy it is likely that I will need one. He says that we have a 70% chance of going into labor and delivering before the scheduled c-section. So at most, we have 7 and a half weeks until the babies come! It's really amazing that we're getting so close!
No pictures again this week. We have an ultrasound next Wednesday and will hopefully have some pictures to share then.
In other news, Steve's job hunt is going very well. He's had a few second interviews and continues to receive calls daily from companies who are interested in talking with him... and, yes, I do still love having him home with me. :)
We also scheduled a c-section with Dr. Acker for December 31st at 11:30am - yay babies, yay tax break for 2007! While I'm not restricted to having a c-section, because the babies have been breech the entire pregnancy it is likely that I will need one. He says that we have a 70% chance of going into labor and delivering before the scheduled c-section. So at most, we have 7 and a half weeks until the babies come! It's really amazing that we're getting so close!
No pictures again this week. We have an ultrasound next Wednesday and will hopefully have some pictures to share then.
In other news, Steve's job hunt is going very well. He's had a few second interviews and continues to receive calls daily from companies who are interested in talking with him... and, yes, I do still love having him home with me. :)
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