Congratulations on the birth of Vincent and Gabriel. I hope they stay well so they can continue to grow and wean from the vents. It's hard being a NICU mom. I remember when my girls were in, I loved hearing others' stories. In fact seeing Tina's boys (the previous poster) helped me a lot while my girls were in the hospital.
Our twins were born at 26 weeks, so a little older than your guys. They were 1.5 and 2 pounds at birth (3/13/06). They were both vented for about 5 weeks, weaned with steroids, then on CPAP and O2. Sarah came home at 40 weeks and Gracie came home on O2 and pulse ox at 43.5 weeks. The O2 lasted for about another 5 months. Today, they're both, ummm, ACTIVE!! Running everywhere, getting in to everything.They keep me busy!! I have two older kids and these two by far are the most daring and inquisitive kids out of all of them. I pumped for 7 months after they were born and Sarah got fortified bm until November. Grace had to move to formula before she got home because she was losing weight on fortified bm (even at 28 calories). My other two were ebf'd, so I definitely believe in the benefits of breastfeeding. Pumping was hard but worth it.
Overall, the girls are thriving. The greatest thing I am told now when people find out their birthweights is, "Wow, I would have never guessed!" I love hearing that. They aren't without their challenges, but the things we face are all things we can deal with and small in the big picture. Grace has some gross motor delays (but that doesn't stop her from running and climbing). Both have a few OT delays (small stuff) and they both are profoundly farsighted (they've work glasses for nine months now). Grace is also speech delayed. But in my heart I know that it'll all work itself out. I am not worried at all.
Please feel free to pm me if you want to email some more. It is so traumatic not having your kids at home where they belong. You'll get through it one day at a time. Keep a journal if you're not already. I'd also recommend a wonderful book called, "Parenting your premature baby and child : the emotional journey" by Deborah L. Davis and Mara Tessler Stein. It is fantastic for moms of micropreemies because it doesn't focus on medical problems like many other preemie resources. This book focuses not only on the babies, but also on how YOU and DAD will feel, how having preemies affects your other kids, grandparents, families. There's also good information for you to give your friends and family that will help them support you.
Sorry so long!! Take care, jenny (mom to Sarah and Grace TTTS survivors)