More than four weeks have passed since my last blog update and it’s wonderful to report that our twin granddaughters were seven weeks old on 1 July (but were still only at the equivalent of 35 weeks gestation) and are both doing well.
There have been ups and downs along the way but the good news is that they are both increasing in size every day. At their first weigh-in in July Eva achieved a big milestone- surpassing the big two kilo mark (4.4 pounds) and Matilda had reached 1367 gms (a tick over three pounds) – more than tripling her birthweight of 430 gms.
In more good news, they are both out of their humidicribs (Eva first and then Matilda on 1 July) and are now in open cribs and are wearing clothes for the very first time! Eva has also moved off CPAP (continuous positive airflow pressure) and has been transitioned to a nasal cannula, which delivers oxygen through small tubes placed in her nostrils. This means that her Mum and Dad can pick her up without waiting for a nurse to help them which has been a very special change.
Matilda is still on CPAP but she is having her oxygen delivery gradually reduced in preparation for transitioning to a nasal cannula.
More firsts achieved include Eva having her first bath and starting to learn to breastfeed while Matilda has been learning to suck “milk lollipops” – cotton buds dipped in breast milk.
In another few weeks they will reach “full term” and we are very much hoping that soon after that, they will be able to leave hospital and start their life at home.
It has been amazing to meet them during this period and see with our own eyes the brilliant progress they have made. What fantastic care our two little miracles have received at the Mater Hospital!
While the babies have been growing, our house project has continued apace. Last time we went to see the cottage, a couple of weeks ago, it was almost ready to go – just the planking and the carpet to be laid and some of the kitchen appliances to be installed e.g. the gas hob and dishwasher.
In the meantime, we have had our sewage treatment system to our bush cottage installed – it was a huge day with what seemed like a cast of thousands!
Ben and Sarah were also having an independent sewage treatment system installed for their tiny house so there were two teams working simultaneously.
In the meantime, we have been up to Lake Manchester almost daily to walk Ozzie and Indie and to watch over Lucy who is recovering slowly from an operation remove a nasty abscess on her leg.
It has been such a pleasure taking the other dogs for lovely walks around the property. The winter weather in Brisbane provides perfect conditions for enjoying the beautiful countryside. We are enjoying the warm days and cool evenings so much – especially the cosy wood burning stove!
We also have been able to do some things in Ben and Sarah’s home to help them out as they are at the Mater Hospital day in, day out, seven days a week.
At the end of May, Jonathan found an advert for an Isuzu four-wheel drive vehicle which would be ideal for towing our caravan. The owner brought it round for us to check it out and we decided it was perfect for what we wanted. It’s such a relief to know that we now have the right vehicle for caravanning (once we get round to it!!)
We have also done a little socialising between times – including a couple of theatre visits with our good friends Peter and Cathy – notably to the arena version of Les Miserables which was fantastic!
Salty tales from Bali Hai on Sunday 
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