Prematurity

Though our babies have been with us for 18 days, we are acutely aware that they are not yet full term.  Their gestational age is 39 weeks 6 days and we still have subtle reminders of their prematurity.  Our girl seems to have navigated the first few weeks of life fairly well with only a bit of fluid to deal with in her lungs, but our boy has had a much more difficult time of it.  The pneumonia he developed led to a difficult first week of life and it pained us so much to see all that he went through during that time.  The IVs are out and the antibiotics have run their course, but his premature lungs and digestive system have a ways to go.  He struggles with feedings and has a difficult time digesting his food.  It's hurts us both to watch him pull his legs up to his chest with apparent cramps and gas.  We do everything we can to alleviate his pain, but there is only so much we can do.  Warm baths, formula for sensitive tummies, leg exercises, rocking, belly massages, etc. sometimes work to help him out, but he still struggles.  Tomorrow marks the twins' full term age and we are hoping that our boy will begin to have an easier time of it.  Look at his beautifully peaceful face here...this is how he should feel all the time.

And because we have to give equal face time to each of them, a picture of our beautiful girl.

 

Happy to be on Daddy's chest.