October 8, 2008

When we got to the NICU today, they had the curtain drawn in the boys room, and were JUST about to start their circumcisions, so we waited in the Family Overnight room. Did I ever tell you about that? This hospital, it's staff, and the entire NICU is absolutely amazing. They have a "Family Room", which has a couch, TV, bathroom, Computer with internet, table, frige, lockers to keep your things in, etc. We can use it whenever we want, as can all NICU parents. The other room they have, is like a hotel room, complete with a TV, pull out couch/bed, bathroom, that you can stay overnight at anytime you want, free of charge. So, if the boys had a big surgery (thank heavens they never did), or if parents wanted to stay overnight the day or two before they went home, and keep the baby/babies in the room with them, with hospital staff very close by if they are learning how to do something (like a baby that was going home with an apnea monitor for example), etc. You can sleep there anytime you want. It's pretty cool! So anyhow, we waited in there. Olivia was along, of course, since she is now fairly glued to both Curt and I, and she got to watch her "movie" the whole time, and was a happy little camper.

After the two circumcisions were finished, our doctor came into the family overnight room to let us know that both had gone well, and give us some updates. Both boys are doing amazingly well. They are taking well over their minimum feeds (remember, minimum feeds is the MINIMUM amount they need to grow and gain weight). They're eating well, holding their stats well (respirations, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature), pooping well, and tolerating feeds. She tells us that should they continue to do well today, they can go home TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She said that after circumcision, some babies don't want to eat a ton, and if the boys do this, which again, is normal, then she may keep them until Friday.

We talked about so so many things! They'll have a doctor's appointment on Monday, to do a check up on them, see their weights, etc. They will have their Hep B shot today, and their newborn pictures. They have already done Evan's carseat test (he must sit in the seat for 90 minutes to see if he maintains his stats, and also that he FITS appropriately in the seat) and he passed. They said that he BEARLY passed, and was almost too small for the seat, but did pass. They're confident that Alec will not pass, and will need a car bed. Actually, when we went back tonight at 6:30, they already had the carbed out, so we took Alec's carseat home. He only needs the carbed until he is big enough to ride in his carseat, and can pass the test. We actually have to bring him back either to the NICU, or to the pediatrician's office to have the 90 minute test done when he's big enough!

We have to learn how to draw up their vitamins, as they'll need to continue to take these as long as they are breastfed (due to the Vitamin D deficiency in breastmilk). We also need to learn the "recipe" for Alec's 24 calorie fortifier, which we'll continue to add to his breastmilk until the pediatrician gives us the whistle that he's chubby enough to move down to 22 calorie fortifier or to give straight breastmilk. We will learn that tomorrow.

When we went back tonight to see them, both had continued to eat well above their minumums and do VERY well. It seems that all systems are a go for us to bring them home tomorrow.

I can't even begin to describe my elation. After 4 weeks and 3 days in the NICU, our sweet baby boys are coming home to us. It has been such a tough road...first with the NEC scare, then with ALL of the feeding intolerance (which our doctor tells us is excessive!) for both boys (twice for Alec, three times for Evan). It has taken longer than we imagined, but holy cow...it's nearly over. They'll come home on a schedule, needing to be fed every three hours round the clock. We'll be tired, but we'll be fulfilled. Our family...our beautiful family will be together...and complete. I have dreamed about this day. I have pictured in my head what it would be like, to walk out of that hospital holding my two sons, loading them in the car, looking back at the place that they spent the first entire month of their lives... We have grown very close to many of the nurses...they have nurtured and cared for our boys when we could not. They have fed them, rocked them, and some have even loved them. We are SO blessed to have walked this NICU journey with such amazing people. We are eternally greatful.

But my sweet, miracle boys. Tomorrow, if all goes as planned, you will be here, at home, with your sister who adores you and your parents whom have prayed for you well before you were ever conceived. You boys are so loved, so wanted, and we cannot wait to bring you home tomorrow.

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EDITED for one last thing:

As the boys come home, we KNOW that our loved ones will be anxious to stop by and see them. We would LOVE to have you! So many people have not seen them since they were in the NICU, so many not even since they were on their C-Pap, and you may not have even seen their faces! They've changed tremendously, and again, we'd love to have you stop by.

However, I will be the Mom that will be the "nut" about germs in this first 6 months or so. In the NICU they have really instilled the message about how fragile premature babies are, and the HUGE need to wash hands, use santizer, shelter the babies as much as possible, and not introduce them to germs if at all possible. SO...if you are at ALL sick...flu, rash, or a TEEEEENY tiny sniffle, please save your visit until you are 100% completely well. Additionally, if anyone in your household, or if you have recently been AROUND someone that is ill, please save your visit until everyone is well. It does not take much to pass something, as we all know, and it takes FAR LESS to pass something to a 4 pound baby that has overwhelming succeptibility to everything. We simply don't want to take any risks, and we don't want to have them end up BACK in the NICU because we were too laid back. So, yes, I will proudly be "that mom" that is over the top about germs, people touching the babies, etc. and hope that our loved ones understand.

If you're well, and want to see the babies, please just give us a call first! That way we don't have everyone here at one time, and everyone can enjoy the babies with individual time!

Love you all...xoxoxox.