Alex had his hearing test this morning and both boys had their Hep B immunizations. The team came by for rounds and let us know that these boys were definitely ready to go. Of course, when you leave the NICU, you can't just walk out the door. First we met with the lactation specialist to talk about our breastfeeding plan once we got home and to discuss scheduling another pre/post weight measurement. Then the nutritionist came in and talked with us about the fortifier the boys need in their bottled breastmilk to help add some extra calories. We also looked at their growth charts and discussed the importance of gaining about an ounce a day. Next, the nurse practitioner brought in our discharge papers followed by the case worker to discuss insurance. (Of course, for us, that just means, good luck paying for everything!) In between all of this excitement, Alex wet the bed straight through two times! Finally, our amazing nurse (more about her later) came and went through all our follow up appointments and everything we needed to take with us when we left. So finally, around 2:45, we got to walk out the door with our boys!
Hanging out in our crib right before we go home
I cannot say enough about the amazing staff at Mission Hospital. Everyone of them provided amazing care for Charlie and Alex. We had some awesome nurses, but our favorite one, Julia, was there for the boys this past Sunday and Monday and she wasn't scheduled to work today, but came in anyway so that she could be there to help with our discharge. She worked so hard to make sure that the boys always had everything they needed and made sure that things got scheduled and taken care of for the boys so that we were ready to go home today. Had she not been so on top of things, I don't know that everything would have gotten done. It was so obvious that she loves our boys and we were so grateful for everything she did.
In our car seat, ready to go home!
We left the hospital and drove and picked Lucy up from daycare. She was so excited when she found out that her brothers were waiting in the car for her. We got home and our new normal began. Lucy was super wound up this afternoon and much louder than normal - I think she's struggling with finding a balance of excitement and love for her brothers as well as making sure that she is getting the attention she wants. Of course, how could anyone forget to pay attention to the little princess? ;)
Sleeping in our twin pack-and-play. . . .Mommy picked us up and moved us to our crib for naptime because Lucy was too loud!
Lucy seems to be responding well to having special jobs to help with as the big sister. Tonight she got to help me make dinner, she brought the bottles to Daddy once Mommy fixed them. We even walked down to show the boys to the UM Women at their meeting and Lucy was in charge of making sure everyone used the hand sanitizer. She said, "I'm going to make sure my peoples get rid of their germs before they see my brothers." :)
One of her cutest moments was when the boys laid down in their crib. I showed her the monitor and explained to her how it worked. We told her that her special job was to listen and let us know if she heard her brothers crying. So, being the amazing big sister that she is, she pulled her rocking chair up next to the monitor and sat and listened. It only lasted about five minutes or so, but it was just precious!
So as of now, all children are fed and sleeping. Alex is curled up in our bed for the moment. Just as he did at the hospital today, he wet the bed here at home twice already this evening! After we got everything cleaned up, he never seemed to settle back down. Of course, once he got picked up and loved on, he fell right asleep. So at least until next feeding, he's cuddled up here. Charlie has been asleep since his last feeding and I'm sure will sleep right up until time for the next one.
Two sweet boys, ready for bed
Do you know which one is which?? ;)
I know that we are in for some sleepless nights and lots of new adjustments, but nothing warms my heart more than looking over next to me and seeing one sleeping angel, standing in the doorway and glancing at another precious angel in his crib and walking down the hall to see my sweet girl stretched out in her bed. What amazing blessings God has given to us. I am so undeserving but so grateful that he chose me to be the mother to these three little ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment