Thursday, September 10, 2009

"By the End of THIS MONTH"

We've been hoping for this... but today we heard it straight from Dr. Hiatt: "we're shooting to have the babies home by the end of this month." There are no words....

Brooke spoke to Dr. Hiatt and his nurse practitioners today and they all seemed to agree that Lily and Charlie are doing so well that they will be able to come home within the next two and a half weeks. And even though Brooke told me this when I spoke to her immediately after school, I still teared up when Dr. Hiatt said the same thing to me when I arrived at the NICU. And I teared up again when I was telling one of the nurses about it. And I teared up again when I was waiting from Uncle John to arrive for his visit. And I'm tearing up again now as I write this.

Of course, we have to temper our excitement with restraint. We know all too well that things can (and often do) turn in an instant. As we saw with Annaleigh, things can look great one day and then suddenly change just a few hours later. So we can't let ourselves get too excited. (I say this and know it to be good, logical advice, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening anyway.)

Both Lily and Charlie continue to do well with their feedings and their breathing. Charlie was able to take his noon bottle for Brooke without any episodes and the plan with him is to only keep him on any sort of breathing help when he eats, which means that he'll be breathing on his own for most of the day! Lily should be able to be put on the Low Flow Cannula within a few days so she's not too far behind her brother.

So all is good today and we couldn't be happier about it. Now we've got to try and keep from getting too ahead of ourselves with excitement for their potential homecoming!


Hopefully there won't be too many more pictures of Charlie with a nasal cannula!


Lily is trying her best to explain to her mommy that she really needs her bottle immediately. Poor Lily. She's got it so rough.


If you haven't seen this yet, NASA just released the latest round of pictures from the Hubble Telescope. The "headlining" picture from the group is called "Butterfly Nebula," and I think it's just so utterly beautiful. I know it's just a coincidence, but butterflies have taken on such a new meaning for us since Annaleigh died and knowing that this is out there somewhere in the heavens makes me happy.

35 comments:

Lauren said...

Yippee!! I can't wait until they are home with you. Lots of prayers for smooth sailing over the next couple of weeks!

Meg said...

YAY!!!! You've got lots of prayers coming your way. I hope Charlie & Lily can come home soon! :)

Maggie said...

Fantastic news!!!!

Lani said...

I'm so happy for you guys! I'm tearing up just thinking about you tearing up:)

Katrina said...

GREAT news! Look at that chubbo-Charlie! ;)
They both look fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations guys. That news is so exciting. I love the pic of the butterfly also, so cool. Your babies are beautiful..

Anonymous said...

~butterfly nebula is beautiful! precious Annaleigh will always be watching over us all~

Jamers said...

Yayee, for babies going home! That nebula is awesome. So, so very awesome.

Jayme said...

WOO HOO awesome news!!

Denise said...

Great news to hear Brooke and Joe. It won't be long now! So happy to hear they will be home in the next couple of weeks.. By the way, could you give Travis a call, he needs to talk to you.....Great pictures... Travis's mom

Anonymous said...

WOO HOO...Yes - my little loves. I can't wait for your homecoming...

Oh Annaleigh - thank you for being with us. I love you sweetpea.

All My Love, Auntie :) xooxoxo

Gretchen said...

YAY!!! I'm so excited for you guys! It'll be so nice to see pics of the babies together and to see the family together without the back drop of a hospital and with things up their little tiny noses! That must have been one of the greatest things the Dr has said to you!
Well we will continue to pray and wish you the best!
Go Lily and Charlie!!! Keep packing on those ounces!

Momma said...

Wow, what incredible news! I can't imagine the excitement in your home! Charlie and Lily are gorgeous...

Butterfly Nebula a coincidence...I think not, Annaleigh's light should be the brightest of all :)

*hugs*
Sarah/Copzy

Melissa said...

Great news! I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Amanda said...

I'm so so so excited for you!!! Lots of prayers heading your way for a nice, uneventful 2 and a half weeks!

Bec said...

This makes me so happy. Go babies! :)

Unknown said...

This is AMAZING news!! We're all routing so hard for Charlie and Lily to come home!! And Charlie looked so cute in his outfit with the sneakers! I'm so glad you liked it! I LOVED that outfit!

Anonymous said...

I'm sitting here tearing up... HAPPY tears!! This is great news & I'm so happy for you!!!! They are absolutely gorgeous babies & look so healty!!!! Annaleigh is doing a great job looking down on her brother & sister! She's the shining star in this happy story!!!! God bless her & the rest of you!!

Andrea said...

That is awesome news!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you guys!!

Andrea
edasmommy0709 from Multiple Mamas

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you guys and I will be praying that all continues to go well and you can take your precious little ones home soon. I tear up everytime I read your blog and I look forward to reading about the babies each day. You two are wonderful parents and it shows in every word and every picture.
Being the grandmother of twin premies (who are doing amazing now) your blog reminds me of some of what their parents went through and how blessed we are having these beautiful children in our lives.

#1SAHM said...

Yay great news! I think it's normal to get excited despite the possibility of something (God forbid) preventing that from happening. It's okay to be positive every once in awhile. : ) Maybe Annaleigh put that nebula in the skies for you guys? Who knows? : )

Anonymous said...

I just smile when I see your babies looking so big and sweet. Thank you for sharing, they just make me happy:). Go babies.

Ptl. Travis said...

Glad my mom tells you Joe when to call me. lol. Anyway, glad to hear you both will be bringing home the babies sometimes this month. That's great news. Its amazing how much bigger they've gotten. Lily already has Joe's belly! Hope we can catch up soon. Best wishes to you all. Laura and I always have you in our thoughts.

Sonya said...

What exciting news!!!! My fingers are crossed and many prayers will be said for Lily and Charlie...you go babies!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

Quince Family said...

This is the best news I have heard all day. I'm so glad things are going well...you're in the home stretch of a long journey! Go babies go!
Melissa (shady06)

Anonymous said...

Yay! How exciting. I hope that all goes well and will continue prayers for the month to end quickly and productively. P.S. Charlie is looking so big and healthy, he's getting 'baby fat' and looks like he is progressing right along. Lily does, too. But it's more evident in "The chunk".

Anonymous said...

Today, Sept 11th is a sad day for America but hearing news like this really puts a smile on the world! Thanks for sharing your journey with us and we are all cheering these sweet babies on!!! They are just awesome & so are their mommy & daddy. And we will never forget your little angel, Annaleigh.

Alisha said...

So beautiful, that nebula.

So awesome that you might be able to bring them home in a few weeks! So exciting!

Michele from FTHS said...

And I am tearing up as I write this. I am so very happy for the four of you. I know Annaleigh is watching over all of you and will be there in spirit. Loved the Butterfly Nebula and I don't think it's coincidence. :-)

Marcie said...

Wow, the prospects of having them home must overhwelm you with joy. That is such happy news. The picture of the butterfly is amazing. There is no doubt in my mind that Annaleigh ejoyed that sight from the heavens.

Anonymous said...

Joe, as I told you today, that picture of the butterfly-- it's priceless. Annaleigh is really showing her presence-- what a special little girl. Lily and Charlie are GORGEOUS. My goodness. I am praying and hoping and sharing in your excitement that soon your babies will be home. Brooke and Joe-- what a wonderful day for you.

Cheryl

Anonymous said...

The babies are just so beautiful--and Annaleigh will always be with us--every time we see something beautiful, we'll know it's Annaleigh!

Rebecca, from CT said...

How exciting!!! So excited for you and Brooke!!! Come on babies...keep moving forward and no looking back!!

Anonymous said...

Now you've got me welling up....
Love u guys..
Gr..Uncle Mike

Kristine McKowen said...

Awesome news!!