Justine Lauren

This is THE END of Justine Marie and Lauren Ann - Part 5, a series of blog albums on the babies' growth and progress. The next blog album in this series is called Justine and Lauren Go Home. Justine was discharged on July 11, 2005 and Lauren followed her home on August 1, 2005. Now the real fun will begin - two babies at home, each on separate schedules with Lauren needing a bottle every three hours 24 hours a day!

Special Care Unit in Chicago, Illinois

This is a good parting shot of Justine and Lauren in the Special Care Unit in the hospital. We had to leave for the airport to go home, but wanted one last picture of Justine all wrapped up in Aunt Maryanna's quilted blanket in her open bed and Lauren in her incubator.

Lauren Takes Her Bottle at Six Weeks Old

Lauren and Troy

Once again, Troy is trying to get Lauren to take a little more milk. A careful record of how much the babies take in is kept. They can't take in more than their little tummies will hold, but they need to take in as much as possible to grow.

Lauren Ann and Justine Marie

Another photo of the babies together. This picture really shows how much darker Lauren's hair is than Justine's. We don't know if it will stay that way as they grow older. This infant hair may fall out as their permanent hair grows in.

Lauren Ann and Justine Marie

This is one of those rare occasions when Lauren and Justine are photographed together. Here the nurses helped lay them out on one of Aunt Maryanna's quilted blankets for a photo shoot.

Another Photo of Sweet Justine Marie in My Arms

Justine Marie at 6 Weeks Old - Chicago, Illinois

Grandma Marti Holding Justine

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to hold these precious little babies. They are just so sweet!

Troy Feeding Lauren

Lauren was so sleepy, but Troy was doing his best to get her to take a few ounces of milk. She seems to be sleeping better, more comfortably, but she isn't taking in a lot of milk - she seems satisfied with only an ounce or so. This is not enough to put on calories and weight, though.

Aunt Maryanna's Quilted Blanket on Lauren's Incubator

Since Lauren was still in an incubator, her beautiful quilted blanket was placed over the top to give her privacy and darkness to encourage better sleep.

Justine in Aunt Maryanna's Beautiful Quilted Blanket

Troy's Aunt Maryanna, who lives in Omaha, wanted to do something special for the babies. She's an accomplished artist and quiltmaker. After getting approval from the hospital, she made two beautiful quilted blankets in the Winnie-the-Pooh colors that Connie liked and mailed them to Troy and Connie. They took them to the Special Care Unit where they were admired by everyone! In this photo, Justine is all wrapped up in one of these lovely blankets.

Welcome to Justine Marie and Lauren Ann - Part 5

Monday, July 4, 2005: Troy, Justine and Connie

Welcome to Justine Marie and Lauren Ann - Part 5. This is the ongoing story of little Justine and Lauren who were born 10 weeks early on May 16, 2005. Be sure to check out Parts 1-4 and Justine and Lauren Go Home too.