'Tis the season (3 months old)

The Brunin family has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. Corbin and Quinn are enjoying being at home together. Both are gaining weight nicely (Corbin at last check was 8lb 11 oz and Quinn was 8 lb 2 oz) and are up to eating 5 oz. Dad and Mom love having their boys at home finally.

Below are assorted pictures from the weeks that have passed. As you can see from one of the pictures, Annie has officially met Corbin and Quinn. She isn't so sure about all of the crying and noises, but is hanging around the boys more and adjusting. The last pics are of the boys in one of their "first Christmas" outfits. Mom had them wear the reindeer outfits the night Rudolph was on television, and Mom may have been the only one who really enjoyed it! Quinn has the binkie in.

Home sweet home (10 weeks, 5 days old)

Quinn got to join Corbin at home today!!!! The NICU extended stay is finally over!!! The hospital will not be missed, but the wonderful nurses, therapists and doctors will be. They cannot be thanked enough for the loving care they gave to the boys.

Mom and Dad are looking forward to staying at home and taking care of both boys from this point on.

Hopefully more pictures will be added from time to time, but for the most part the posting will be much more infrequent. Here's a slew of pics from today, along with two movies from the homecoming.

Getting closer (10 weeks, 3 days old)

Both boys are over 6 pounds! Last time each were weighed, they both actually weighed 6 lb 2 oz.

Quinn is now up to full feeds! He is currently taking 6 of his eight feedings by bottle and doing a nice job with it. He is back to his old self now and loves being cuddled every chance he can get. Hopefully he will be home with his brother soon.

Corbin is enjoying being at home. He had his first pediatrician appointment this week and all went well. He is eating well and gaining weight nicely.

We will try to get more pictures up soon!

Tug of war (9 weeks, 5 days old)

With Mom and Dad now juggling the boys being in different places, unless there is big news, new postings will only be every few days...

Corbin is adjusting well to being at home. So far things have been calm, and as long as he is fed on time, he's been a peaceful baby (knock on wood). Mom and Dad have a hard time not holding him when they're home!

Quinn is still getting his 15 mL's of food every 3 hours, with the occasional feeding being by bottle. The immediate goal is for his stomach to keep normalizing so that his feeds can increase in size. When this happens, his IV fluids will be lowered and eventually stopped (which will help reduce his puffiness) and he can start working more on bottle feeds as well.

Here's Corbin fighting off sleep, while Quinn had no problem giving in to a nap.

Two boys in two places (9 weeks, 3 days old)

Corbin enjoyed his first full day at home today. He had a pretty peaceful time, and didn't even fuss during his first bath. He is already used to the schedule of feedings every 3 hours.

Quinn started getting feeds again this afternoon, in doses of 10 mL's every 3 hours through his nasal tube. The doctors said that his stomach looks and sounds good. Hopefully a good bowel movement will help him get back on routine for his feedings.

Pictures: Corbin snuggling on the couch and Quinn with his binkie.

Bittersweet homecoming (9 weeks, 2 days old)

Corbin arrived at home around 6:30 Wednesday evening. All of the nurses said that he looked very handsome and ready for the world! He didn't mind his first car ride and snoozed the whole way home.

Quinn is still working on getting back on feedings. He took a few feeds on Wednesday, but his stomach still showed signs that it just wasn't ready for digestion again. The nurses inserted a PICC line (long-term IV) because all of his IV's were only lasting a day or so before they went bad. This will be a safer way for him to keep getting his nutrients through his IV while he works on feeds. Hopefully tomorrow he'll get another shot at eating.

Here's Corbin ready to leave and Quinn relaxing.

50% voting to go home, 50% electing to stay put (9 weeks, 1 day old)

Corbin is officially going home on Wednesday! He flew through his car seat test with no problems and is eating like a big boy. He should be hanging out at home by tomorrow late afternoon.

Quinn is finally getting to eat again. He took 5 mL's by bottle this afternoon - he sucked it down in the same frantic manner he had before surgery. If all goes well, the doctor said his feeds will get increased by 5 mL's each day. Some of his feedings will still be through his NG tube for the time being.

Here's Corbin is his first pair of sweats, and his late Halloween shirt. Quinn was workin' on his binkie as usual while he took in the scenery.

Big news and no changes (9 weeks old)

Mom and Dad found out today that Corbin will probably get to go home this week! He is now eating a minimum of 40 mL's each feed, but can eat more if he wants. He has taken 44 and 43 mL's with bottles so far. He will go through the "car seat test" soon, to make sure he handles sitting in it for a period of time. Mom and Dad are going to be spending the night with Corbin in a parent room for a trial run on their own. He also got his two month shots today along with the RSV vaccination - he really wasn't so excited about them.

Unfortunately, Quinn is still not getting to eat. An x-ray of his abdomen was done, and it showed that a portion of his bowel was dilated. This is most likely from his bowels not moving. All that can be done for this is waiting for it to move through. An abdominal ultrasound was also done but results will not be known until tomorrow. The doctor said that he wants to be very cautious and although it is frustrating, Mom and Dad know he is not sick and it could be worse. Another x-ray will be done in the morning.

No pics today...hopefully there will be time for some tomorrow!

Feast and famine (8 weeks, 6 days old)

Last night, Corbin pulled his nasal feeding tube clear out. His night nurse said that he was awake for every feeding, so he continued to get bottles every feed. Today he took all of his feedings by nursing or bottle. If he can keep up at this pace and keep gaining weight, he shouldn't need a feeding tube any more! Mom and Dad aren't getting too excited yet...things can change quickly.

Quinn is still getting all of his nutrition through his IV. His third IV in five days fell out and the best place left to put one in was in his scalp. Needless to say, he's had better evenings. Also, the doctor decided to consult with the surgeon tomorrow to see if any more tests are needed before Quinn starts getting feeds again. He is acting like himself and his abdomen looks good.

Here is Corbin then Quinn snoozing this afternoon.

Two months old (8 weeks, 5 days old)

Quinn started to show signs of his old self today as he started squirming around more and pulling on things. The breathing tube was taken out this afternoon and it was quickly replaced with a binkie. He is still getting all of his nutrients from his IV and his swelling from the surgery has started to decrease, although he is still puffy. Mom and Dad got to hold him again today which made everyone feel better. His squeaks and cries are much more hoarse today because of the breathing tube. The cultures are still negative and the doctor's concern over them is decreasing each day. Overall, he's doing well and rooting around looking for milk.

Corbin took all 6 of his by mouth feedings today! It seems the light bulb may have clicked on like the nurses have been telling Mom and Dad that it would. Hopefully tomorrow he'll get bumped up to 7 of 8 feedings by mouth. Corbin is also starting to get the schedule down and is letting everyone know when it's time for his next feeding.

Here's Corbin full after a feeding and Quinn snoozing.

Below are updates from the last few days:

Recovery and feeding time (Friday - 8 weeks, 4 days old)

Quinn continued to recover from surgery today. The surgeon checked up on him and said that everything looked good. His morphine was decreased to help him wake up more, and the settings continued to be turned down on the ventilator. It was decided in the afternoon that he deserved another evening of rest and recovery while the meds wore off.

Corbin, sensing that he needed attention, decided to start eating like a big boy. He took all 5 of his feedings by mouth very well - so well that he was bumped up to 6 oral feedings (out of 8 total) for the next day!

Mom and Dad spent another night in a parent room to be close to the boys.

Surgery day (Thursday - 8 weeks, 3 days old)

Mom and Dad got their kisses in early this morning before Quinn was taken for surgery at 7:00 AM. The procedure went smoothly after the anesthesia kicked in and his breathing tube was in place. Both hernias were repaired as expected. The surgeon did note that there was some greenish-colored fluid around his intestines, but it did not look new. Cultures were taken and so far everything has been negative. Quinn returned to the NICU around 10:30, still on the ventilator. He was "snowed" all day from the anesthesia and morphine, so they decided he was too out of it to breathe on his own.

Corbin wasn't sure what to do with all of the extra room in the crib, but he seemed to manage. He got 2 times the hugs and cuddles while brother was gone to surgery.

Surgery eve (Wednesday - 8 weeks, 2 days old)

Both boys received blood transfusions today because their hematocrit levels were low. Corbin and Quinn both worked on feedings, but Quinn's feedings were stopped around midnight for his surgery. Mom and Dad were also updated on all of the details for Quinn's surgery.

Two 5-pounders (8 weeks, 1 day old)

Both boys have now reached 5 pounds! Quinn just hit 5 lbs 0 oz tonight, while Corbin is up to 5 lbs 4 oz. Everyone has decided that Quinn is gaining weight slower than Corbin because he typically gets less than Corbin when he eats, and he probably burns more energy with his manic eating tactics! No other big news tonight.

Mom and Dad are probably staying in the hospital both tomorrow and Thursday night due to Quinn's surgery, so this may be the last new posting until Friday night.

That being said, here are 3 pictures of the pair with their pumpkin hats back on, followed by a short video in which both little men managed to give a good 'bearing down' for the camera turning their faces red! Corbin is on the right in the first two pictures, and then he is on the left in the last picture and in the movie.

Two very different peas in a pod (8 weeks old)

Corbin and Quinn are still working on feedings. Corbin is very relaxed about the whole thing - he takes his time and usually does a nice job. In fact, he no longer uses oxygen when eating. Quinn, on the other hand, is very frantic. He roots like there is no tomorrow and needs to be paced so that he remembers to stop and catch his breath. He is still on oxygen when eating by mouth. There are times when he paces himself, but he needs to be watched closely. Both are doing a nice job for their age, they are just going at different rates. Each of the boys has his own personality, which comes through in how they approach feeding!

No pictures today - there will be more tomorrow!

Weight watchers (7 weeks, 6 days old)

Corbin and Quinn are still working on oral feedings. Not much else is new at this point. The head surgeon did take a peek at Quinn today, and said that yes the surgery is still on for Thursday AM, but he wasn't concerned by what he observed.

Today's measurements are...
Corbin: 5 lbs, 2 oz & 17-3/4" long
Quinn: 4 lbs, 15 oz & 17-1/2" long

Here are two pictures of Dad holding Corbin followed by two of Mom holding Quinn. Both boys were very content after their evening feedings!

Pumpkin heads (7 weeks, 5 days old)

Both boys made strides with bottle feedings today. Corbin has taken his entire feeding by bottle in 4 of his last 5 attempts! Quinn also took one whole feed by bottle last night! Today though, Quinn decided to make things difficult by planting his tongue on the roof of his mouth during his last two feeds. Mom and Dad and the nurses know what to watch for with him now, so it hopefully won't be a problem any longer.

Here are the two boys snoozing side by side after their evening feedings. Quinn's on the left side.

Got milk? (7 weeks, 4 days old)

Corbin and Quinn are both still doing well with nursing and bottle feedings. Corbin took his first whole feeding (32 mL's) from a bottle today! Quinn didn't do as well with the bottle, but did well with nursing.

The only change today is that the nurse discovered that Quinn has at least one, and possibly two, hernias. One of the surgeons verified it, and he is scheduled for surgery next Thursday. Mom and Dad are nervous about it, but it sounds like it's a routine procedure for male preemies. More details should be given early next week.

Still "parkin" in the big crib (7 weeks, 3 days old)

Today was another day that the boys worked on feedings and enjoyed each other's company in the same crib. Oral feedings are still every other feed (every 6 hours), and everything else is also still unchanged at this point. Hopefully Corbin and Quinn will continue to improve at the suck-swallow-breathe motions and reflexes.

Quinn is on the left, Corbin on the right.

Roommates (7 weeks, 2 days old)

The awesome nurses finally found a crib so Corbin and Quinn are now roommates! They are getting to co-bed and everyone is very excited. If either one has trouble with reflux on the flat bed, then they may have to be moved back to separate quarters - but hopefully all will be ok!

There was more feeding work done today. During the session with the feeding team, the boys worked on bottles again. At that time Corbin took 15 mL's and Quinn took 24 mL's! Tonight Corbin took 20 and Quinn took 10 mL's. Dad got to feed Quinn for the first time and was pretty pumped. The boys still have to wear oxygen when feeding but are beginning to pace themselves more. Like everything else it seems like a slow process, but is going well.

Here are pics of Corbin and Quinn bunking together for the first time!

Open-air exposure (7 weeks, 1 day old)

Corbin and Quinn are finally hanging out in open cribs! They're in separate cribs for now, but hopefully at some point a larger crib will become available for them to share. Mom and Dad enjoyed hearing all of the little squeaks and chatter that they constantly make.

Both little guys also improved on their bottle feeding trial today. Corbin took 19 mL's and Quinn took 10 mL's. Quinn is still having some breathing and heart rate spells (Corbin hardly has any spells anymore, knock on wood), which make Mom and Dad worry. The nurses keep reassuring them that it's "just a preemie thing" that he will grow out of sooner or later.

Pictures: Corbin, Quinn, then a group shot.

Title #50 (7 weeks old)

Today was yet another good day for the boys. They both did well on their feedings, and Quinn even started to show signs of pacing himself while during oral feeds for the first time. Mom is crashing at the hospital again because she will be getting up to nurse at 2 AM on Tuesday morning. Not really anything else changed today. The feeding team will be trying bottles with the boys again tomorrow.

For the promised photos, as they appear...Corbin showing some chest in the morning sunlight, Quinn content as can be with his binkie, Corbin stuck in a 'squatting' position as it became obvious that he is now way too long for his first outfit (!), and last but not least Quinn saying his prayers after a good feeding with Mom.

Sleepover (6 weeks, 6 days old)

Sunday night Mom and Dad both crashed in the parent room so that Mom could help out with feedings at 2 AM. Both boys had good days and are still working hard on oral feedings. Corbin is holding steady at 4 lbs 11 oz and Quinn is catching up at 4 lbs 9 oz.

Sorry, still no new pictures. Hopefully by tomorrow!

Same old song and dance (6 weeks, 5 days old)

Another good day for Corbin and Quinn. They each had 3 nursing attempts with Mom today and will have 4 tomorrow. Mom is spending the night at KUMed tomorrow night because of the timing of the feedings. As they keep progressing on bottle feeding and/or nursing, Mom (and Dad sometimes) will spend quite a few nights in a parent room for those late night and early morning feedings.

The nurses are starting to hint at the boys being ready to share an open crib, but the doctor would still like to wait until they're a little older. Mom and Dad are ready for that day to come (when the boys are ready, of course)!

More pictures tomorrow.

Workin' for the weekend (6 weeks, 4 days old)

Today was another decent day for the boys. They are now getting to work on breastfeeding 3 times a day. Corbin seems to be having fewer spells overall, but the number of spells Quinn is having isn't worrying the docs. They are also still both doing a good job keeping up their own temperatures.

Here's Corbin napping away and Quinn trying to get a handle on his pacifier.

Binkie time (6 weeks, 3 days old)

Corbin and Quinn had a fairly quiet day. Quinn didn't seem to have as much reflux today, and the doctors reassured Mom and Dad that it's nothing to worry about. The speech path suggested giving the boys some oxygen support while they work on oral feedings. This way they don't have to work as hard breathing while they're working on coordinating all movements for feeding. It worked well this afternoon.

Corbin is up to 4 lbs 9 oz and Quinn is up to 4 lbs 7 oz! From the pics below, it looks like both boys might end up liking their pacifiers - whether Mom and Dad like it or not!