It's nearly been a month since my last post and a lot has changed. The girls moved from Pod 5, to Pod 2 (which is a step in the right direction), and ultimately to the Special Care Nursery. For us, this meant open cribs, low-flow canula for oxygen, and bottle feeding. Also, as a result of the open crib, it meant much more "cuddle time" for mom and dad... which is always a good thing.
Elena, who as I write this is nearly a pound less than Amelia, progressed so well on her bottle feedings that the doctors said she had to go home. So, yesterday, we loaded up the truck and took our first baby home.
As I sit here in our quiet home with Elena sleeping away between feedings, I can only think about the circuitous route that Crissie and I have taken to parenthood. When we bought this house, we knew it was going to be the place where we were going to raise our children. We had everything figured out. Or, so we thought.
Now, after nearly 3 months in the NICU, being at home with one of our babies seems like the most precious blessing we could ever imagine. I joked recently that I was actually looking forward to "screaming baby at 4am," but truthfully, I was looking forward to it. That was until last night, when it finally happened--wasn't quite the warm and fuzzy moment I'd imagined.
Despite that, we'll never again take for granted how "easy" it is to make babies. The first time one of them tells us that they hate us, or they come home with green hair, or with something pierced that shouldn't be, we'll remember this lesson. It was so hard to make them, that we can't just go make new ones if we screw this up.
Pictures!
This was right before the big move to Special Care. Amelia on the left, Elena right.
Elena in her car seat on the big ride!
First poop in a house!
Baby like bouncy chair!
Her first trick! Holding the pacifier by herself (and trying to rip out her nasal prongs all at the same time!)
This might seem like the biggest baby bed ever, but it's not.
Elena is weighing just a shade over 4.5 pounds. She's eating well, and even though being on oxygen at home was a little scary to think about, it's a good reminder of what our little angel has been through. We cherish her every breath and we're so thankful to have her home.
Amelia should be home by the end of the week. She's a whopping 5 pounds, 10 ounces at the moment, but she's been a little slower on feeds. Today, she was stepped up to 8 bottle feeds in the Special Care Nursery so the end is near for her. She was the first one out of her mommy, so it's only fair that Elena was the first to come home.
We can't wait to get them together again!!!
Amelia left. Elena right.
