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spikegifted - The Boys!!

 

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of our twin sons, Master Cheeky (Xavier Thomas, 嘉熙) and Master Chill (Théodore Louis, 嘉寶). They were delivered via Caesarean section in the afternoon of April 2*, 2010, Good Friday, seven weeks premature. Both boys are doing just fine, but will be kept in incubators for a while until they gain sufficient weight.

* For all those who know, that is already a particular significant day in our family.

 

Day 1: The boys were delivered via emergency Caesarean section. Xavier is on the left, Théodore on the right. Both the Ruler_of_spike and I are jubilant and excited by their arrival.

 

Day 2: Each in his own incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit. Although they needed CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), they were allowed time off to breath normally.

 

Day 3: Xavier was now off the CPAP, but Théodore still needed the help.

 

Day 4: The nurses kindly arranged to place the boys in the same incubator so that I could take these lovely photos of the boys together for the first time since birth. What was really amazing was how calm they were when placed in the same cot.
 

 

Day 5: What really amazing was the range of movements the boys were capable of at this young age. Swelling around Théodore's eyes have come down significantly and we saw his little eyes for the first time.

 

Day 6: The nurses were gradually taking Théodore off the CPAP. Both boys have now built up their tolerance to milk and were completely off their glucose drips.

 

Day 7: This was a big moment: The boys were no longer required to stay in the incubators! The bodies were doing a job keeping their heat and regulating their temperatures.

 

Day 8: Finally, the Ruler_of_spike was let out of the hospital. So for the first time since giving birth, mother and babies reunite. The boys were doing just fine. Théodore was very close to getting off the CPAP machine complete.

 

Day 11: Having been transferred out of the hospital they were born in soon after birth, there was finally enough space to accept them back on Day 10. They were kept in isolation incubators for MRSA screening for the first 48 hours after transfer, but they were allowed out from time to time. Notice both Xavier and Théodore how had their feed tubes through their noses, Théodore was now off the CPAP also. 
 

 

Day 16: The boys were making good progress. They were free from all monitors and drips, except for the feed tubes. There were transferred from the 'blue' nursery to the 'green' nursery. Also, as they no longer needed incubators, they were allowed to share the same cot. The nurses in the nursery very helpfully made some name signs.

 

Day 21: Another major mile stone was reached on Day 19 - both boys have their feed tubes removed. First was Xavier who lost his on Day 17, then three days later Théodore followed his brother's lead. With both of them not need the feed tubes any more, their departure from the neonatal unit was imminent.
 

 

Day 23: This was a very important day in their short lives and also our lives - Xavier and Théodore were coming home. We have been readying ourselves for this day for many months before their arrival and for over three weeks since their birth. Our excitement was indescribable.

 

Day 26: The boys were back home and were settling in. The whole new environment outside the hospitals has plenty of things to keep them curious and occupied.

 

1 month: We got the boys a mobile to ease them to sleep. It proved to be a big hit for Théodore, but Xavier was not so sure about this strange device. Meanwhile, the boys were keep at a very intensive feeding schedule to boost their body weights.
 

 

6 weeks: For the first time, the boys went out for a walk on a beautiful May afternoon. Both of them pretty much slept through this first outing.

 

2 months: This was the first time anyone has taken a photo of all of us in the family. As the boys became more aware of their surroundings, they also became aware of each other. A bond was developing between the two.

 

10 weeks: The boys were developing and putting on weight. Their little personalities were also developing and they were now two very charming but different babies.

 

3 months: Not only had they grown out of their first set of clothes (which were for 'early babies'), they now regularly showed off with a full range of expressions.

 

4 months: The boys spent their fourth month in France and they loved it! They were now really aware of the presence of each other. As they explore the world around them, they were also interacting with each other, playing together and generally getting to know each other and their surroundings.