Hopping along

So we've been spending as much time as possible down at the hospital, hanging out with A, B & L or, as I have come to (occasionally) call them: AJ, Brandino and Baby Girl. What can I say? I'm a nickname-oriented person. All are now breathing on their own, which is awesome. Their feedings are being increased so, hopefully, they'll start gaining weight more rapidly.

Yesterday, the doctor explained to us that there are 4 things they have to do to be able to go home:

1. Breathewith no assistance

2. Regulate their own temperature out in the open (in a crib, etc.)

3. Weigh more than 4 lbs

4. Feed 100% from the bottle or, um, naturally

One of the things we've been doing is called kangaroo care, which is essentially skin-to-skin contact with the babies. There is much research to show that kangaroo care helps premature babies maintain their temperature, be calm and less stressed, maintain heart rate and breathing, and more. And it works whether they're being held by mommy or daddy. This is just about the best way we get to interact with them, and we really feel like we're making a positive contribution to their well-being. So, on any given day, you can probably find me hanging out with all the NICU nurses without my shirt on. Those of you who know me best (i.e., have been on vacation with me) will know that this is no great sight!

We have to leave soon to take the evening shift, so I'll leave you with a couple new pics.

Only 6 days old, and Alex already has a better tan than his dad.

After taking her temp and changing her diaper (leading to an incident that we will hereafter refer to only as "The Unpleasantness"), Daddy holds Lila for a few minutes -- traditional style).