Project Linus

I never thought anybody in my family would become the recipient of services or goods rendered by a charity. I was wrong. Both Drake and Leo have hand-knit blankets and matching hats that were hand knit by volunteers and donated to a non profit organization called Project Linus, who then distributes the goodies to hospitals. The hospitals then pass the blankets, hats and other items to sick kids in their care. This picture of the boys shows both of their blankets (Drake's blanket is in the lower right hand corner of the picture):

We will always treasure these blankets, because they have been providing security and warmth for the boys since the day they were born. These tiny, beautiful blankets are just wonderful.

This morning, little Leo's feet were cold, so his nurse put a pair of booties on him. The booties were also made by a Project Linus volunteer. It is nearly impossible to find preemie-sized socks in stores, and these tiny booties are a perfect fit for his little feet. Here's a picture of Leo's new booties (and a pair of nerd pants).

If you are a Project Linus volunteer who just happened to stumble across this blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The tiny little blankets, hats and booties that you knit are absolutely wonderful.

Both babies are doing well today. Drake is continuing to improve with nippling. He is doing so well today that his night nurse is going to attempt to bottle feed him at every feeding tonight. This is a HUGE step in the right direction, that puts Drake much closer to coming home.

The nurses are still holding off on bottle feeding little Leo, because he had stopped gaining weight when he was burning up calories suckling from a bottle. They will try again in a few days, after he has gained a bit more mass. Leo is getting closer and closer to being completely weaned from oxygen every day. His cannula was flowing approximately 25% oxygen today, so hopefully he will be down to ambient oxygen within a few days.

The boys had their weekly measurements last night. Both boys grew about 0.5 centimeters in length over the last week, and both boys' head circumference increased by 1 centimeter. Drake is now 44 cm (17.3 inches) long, and Leo is 40 cm (15.75 inches) long.

I had a nice treat today, I was able to spend some time holding both boys. I constantly dream of the day when I'll be able to hold them for hours on end.