Baby Radars and Energy Zappers

So, I learned something new recently (I'm sure this won't be the last time)--breasts, a.k.a. "baby radars,"  have an amazing ability to determine when babies are close by.  We've been keeping track of milk volume from pumping in a log that they gave us at the hospital.  The other day, Meg handed me the log to look at and asked me if I noticed any trends.  I didn't see it at first, but when she described the times she had spent at the NICU with our girls, and I looked at the corresponding pumping times that succeeded each visit, there was a drastic difference in the volume produced after spending time with our girls versus the other times.  It's as if they can sense that the babies are near and produce extra milk.  Maybe I'm the only person in the world who wasn't aware of this phenomenon, but I think it's pretty incredible.

I've made a few other observations about the pumping process, but the one that's the most noticeable is how Meg is literally transferring her energy from breast to bottle.  I can actually see her energy level drop from start to finish.

Over the last couple of days, the girls have all been making excellent progress.  Isabelle finally had her breathing tube removed, so all three are on nasal cannulas, breathing room air.  We haven't been given any guidance on when they'll take those off, but let me tell you, I can't wait to see their cute little faces without tubes and tape!  Also, this morning, they had their central lines removed from their belly buttons and had their picc lines put in.

I wasn't there this morning to take a photo, but because Isabelle had her breathing tube removed last night and was doing so well, Meg was able to hold her for the first time.  I'll get my chance on Tuesday night!  The other girls have been getting more than their fair share of cuddling.  Strike that.  You can never cuddle too much with these miracles.

Enjoy today's moment of bliss, below!

Madelyn, without a care in the world