Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Charlie is Home!



While it didn't exactly happen in the way we had hoped or expected, Charlie is finally home from the NICU! On day 95 of his life, our little chunkers is home!

We knew the babies homecoming would be soon. We hoped that both Lily and Charlie would be ready by the end of the month, but Lily seems to want to take a few more days with her favorite nurses at the NICU. And even though we really wanted both babies to come home at the same time, there was no reason to make Charlie wait around any more. So around 2:30 this afternoon, when it became obvious that Lily wouldn't be ready any time in the next couple of days,we found out that Charlie would be discharged in just a few hours!

The suddenness of it was a bit jarring. We kept feeling like "we aren't ready," when in reality we've been ready for a long time now. So once we realized it was happening and rushed to do a little last-minute prep work at home, we raced to the NICU to start the discharge process with Charlie.

Other than a little car seat strap issue, the process was pretty smooth. We got some instructions from the nurses about basic care and feeding. We were given appointments for different doctors (one appointment was for six months from now!), specialists whom Charlie and Lily will need to see. We said goodbye to a couple of Charlie's primary nurses (Nurse Sue was off today but she came in just to see us off-- seriously, how great is she???). And that was it. We were ready to go.

We drove home without any problems, somewhat surprised that Charlie's apnea monitor didn't ding at all. We got home to find that Brooke's mom had decorated both the front of our house and inside it. Roy Kitten greeted us at the door and scowled at his new competition for Brooke's affections. I took Charlie on a brief tour of the house while Brooke prepared his first "home cooked" meal. We fed him and burped him and he's currently happily resting in his pack and play and sucking on his pacifier.

What an odd feeling. Charlie is home.... After three months in the NICU, after six months of pregnancy issues, after nearly two years of trying to have a baby of our own, we finally have a baby in our house. Wow. Surreal is the only word that even comes close to describing this.

With a little luck, Lily will be joining her brother here at home soon. She had some pretty serious heart rate drops early this afternoon. She recovered fine but she has to show that she has no episodes for at least a full 24-hour period before they'll let her go. It was hoped that she would be ready to go tomorrow and we planned on bringing both babies home together tomorrow, but since that wasn't going to happen we couldn't leave Charlie in the NICU when he was ready to go. Luckily, Lily's nurses will take good care of her and make sure she gets home as soon as she's ready. But you can't rush a pretty girl!


Finally.


As you can see, Charlie is just over-the-top excited to be home... really...


I have already started my new role. I'll be heading up the Cuddles and Naps Division. Brooke will handle everything else.


Brooke picked out a sporty outfit for Charlie to wear home, but then realized that he would need something warm to go on top of it. This was the warmest thing we had. It was just a tad too big for him, but I can't wait for him to fit in it because he'll look like the kid from Where the Wild Things Are.


Just because she's pretty, here's a picture of The Bug.

125 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and WELCOME HOME CHARLIE!

Gary said...

Yay!!! That is great - and exciting. Congratulations. I know it's a great feeling for you two.

Heidi said...

That is so exciting. Once again, I'm wiping tears as I read but these are tears of joy.

And that is my new favorite picture of Lily! She's such a little drama queen!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! This is awesome news! Welcome home sweet Charlie!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on having Charlie at home! Lily will be there before you know it. We also brought home our multiples separately from their time in the NICU and I know how tough it can be but the days will fly by. In a way, it is a nice way to ease into the process. You can get your routine down with Charlie and then just add Lily in!

Kim said...

Congratulations on Charlie's homecoming, I look forward to reading about Lily's soon.

Kiane from SAIF said...

YAY!!! I am so, so, so happy & excited for you!!! Welcome home Charlie!! I'm sure Lily will be home before you know it :) I love that picture of her too!

Logan's Mom said...

Congratulations! I know you've waited so long for this day, and I'm sure Charlie has, too. I'm so happy for you all! And I'm sure that Lily will join you soon, with all the progress she's been making. Thanks for sharing your great news, and best of luck bringing home baby!

That picture of Lily is great, by the way. She is gorgeous. Good genes, obviously!

Little Wonders said...

OMG, you guys, I am just beyond thrilled!! Isn't it crazy how it all happens so fast! Boy, you better hold on, now the real ride begins ;) I am SOOO excited for you.

Andrea said...

CONGRATS!!!!! I have tears of joy for you both!! This is the best thing I could have wished for on my birthday!! Hopefully, Lily will be joining you soon!

Andrea
edasmommy0709 from Multiple Mamas

Amy said...

Congrats!!! I bet you guys are SO SO excited!

Lani said...

YAYYYY! So happy for you!!! I am tearing up for you right now:)

Jenn said...

Yay!!! My family and I have been following your story from the beginning and we are sooo thrilled to witness you taking your son home finally! What an amazing blessing for you all! Can't wait until your princess joins your family at home! Congrats!

Melissa said...

That is the most wonderful news I have heard in a long time! Congrats on having that sweet boy Charlie at home. I think Lily is just waiting a bit longer so she can make her grand entrance and not have to she the spot light with her brother.

Tammy said...

Congratulation on the homecoming of you little Charlie! I am so happy for your family. It is a year Oct 1 that we brought our twins home, they barely came home together after a near 3 wk stay for our 32 wkers. It was so surreal I remember it like yesterday. I was so happy, yet so frightened to be the sole ones in care when they had a whole team of doctors caring for them before.

I wish you guys the best, and hope Lily comes home soon!

Tamara said...

Yay, how exciting! I've been waiting for this post for a long time. :) Can't wait for the Lily's homecoming post. Of course she's a princess so she wants to have a post all to herself.
Congrats!

pyjammy pam said...

i have goosebumps! such wonderful news! :)

Anonymous said...

I was recently led to your story, and have caught up on your daily entries. What a roller coaster ride you have been on! You're beautiful little girl is up there with the best seat in the house. Charlie and Lily are gorgeous. Tonight's entry brought tears of joy to my eyes. Congratulations and I (as well as so many others) look forward to hearing how well both of your babies continue to do. Sending prayers and good wishes your way ~ Janet

Anonymous said...

Thats AWESOME!! Girl, u look good to just have had twins. I've not lost that much weight n mine were 15 months apart lol. Charlie will warm u up and get used to one just in time for Lilly to come home n hope they are on the same schedule for you 2 so its easier for ya! Thats so cool..one down n one more to go!!

Alison said...

I opened your blog and yelled, "Charlie is home!!!!" and my husband said, "Who??" I've been telling him about your family blog, but I think I was so excited that he thought I was talking about a relative of mine or something! Congratulations!!!! I am so happy for you and your family. What a blessing!! (And girls are always running late, so Lily just wants to make a grand entrance when she arrives home.)

Katherine said...

Congratulations! I can't believe he's home already, good job Charlie!

Lori said...

Yeah Charlie! That is the best news I've heard all day. Enjoy your sleepless nights...you've earned them mom and dad!

Kaitlyn said...

I'm so excited for you guys!!!! AHHH you have you son home!!! Have a wonderful night with him and Lilly Bug come home soon!!!!

sue said...

A great big congratulations on Charlie's homecoming! Lily just didn't want to share this day with her brother -- she wants her own homecoming day!
Your blog title had me in tears before the pictures even came up on the screen -- the pictures sunk me into a puddle!
What wonderful news!

happy_wife said...

I have tears in my eyes as I read this!!! The pictures of you all leaving the hospital and going home are priceless!

Welcome home, Charlie! Your sister will be there before you know it!! Much love all the way from Houston, TX!!

Kaybee said...

This is some of the best news ever!! Welcome home Charlie!!

I agree with everyone else. Lily is just waiting to make a grand entrance :)

J said...

Yayyyy!! Welcome home Charlie! LOL at naps and cuddles duty : ) Congratulations

Aunty of 5 said...

amazing! way to go Charlie....dont get too comfy your sissy will be home soon!

Macchiatto said...

YAY!!! Congratulations! What fantastic news!

The Madeira Triplets said...

Wow...wow wow wow wow WOW!!! Awesome news! We're so happy for you! Yes, Charlie totally looks like Max. He'll be having a wild rumpus in no time flat :D

E. Merritt said...

Yay! Congratulations on bringing your first baby home. We had a week between baby #1 and #2 home. When you're expectations are set on caring for multiple babies one will seem like a piece of cake. The one we had at home first seemed scared and lonely all by himself (he sucked on the pacifier nonstop for a week straight). I hope Charlie enjoys his one-on-one time!

Anonymous said...

Yay!!! I am so thrilled for you guys. Our trio came home one at a time also(Sat, Sun,and Mon). You two must be walking on clouds right now. Isn't it just the best feeling in the world?? Lily will be home also in the next day or so and life will be amazing and perfect and just how it is meant to be. I remember the feeling of having our little ones home finally and just staring at them as they lay in thier crib. What a fabulous feeling. Congratulations!!!!

Stacey
gbb

Joy said...

Congratulations!! I'm so so so happy for you guys. I hope Lily realizes she's losing the race and kicks it into high gear right away so she can rejoin her brother.

Shannon said...

Congrats on having Chralie home. That is such wonderful news.

Mrs.McJeep said...

Congrats!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!! I have been waiting for this moment since I stumbled across your story!

I keep praying for you guys!
Charlie looks so content in his new home, finally!

Lily looks darling, as always.
With luck, she'll be home before the week is up!


With Love from GA!

Jamers said...

So exciting! Welcome home Charlie. You guys give me hope that someday I'll finally be able to bring home a baby, too. :)

Becca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Becca said...

Awwww! I got goosebumps as soon as I saw your post title! That is amazing!!

I remember when we first brought home Jax from the NICU it was oddly wonderful not to have to spend all day long at the hospital and to be able to hold him any time we wanted, without anyone else around!

Love all the pictures and hoping Lily is home soon!!

Lauren said...

Again - totally crying. Welcome home, Charlie!!

Lily, take your time - but hurry. :)

Jo Ann at FTHS said...

Whoo-Hooooo!!!! Congrats all around, and welcome home, Charlie!

soccerwife said...

How wonderful!! Hopefully Lily will be joining him shortly! Great news - congratulations =)

Lindsay said...

Yipppeeeeee! Welcome home Charlie.

Cecilia said...

Great work, Charlie! What a feeling it must be to get him home. Hopefully Lily will be soon to follow.

Newman Family said...

Congratulations! Welcome home Charlie! The pictures of his homecoming are really cute. He has gotten so big.

Christina H. said...

Welcome Home Charlie!!!! I'm sure Lily will be home sooner than expected too!

Denise said...

Brooke & Joe: What wonderful news! It brought tears to my eyes.. Ok Lilly, now its your turn..Get ready for more sleepless nights..So happy for both of you... (Travis's mom)

Kristen said...

I have tears in my eyes. Welcome home Charlie!!! Hope your first night together at home went smoothly. Still praying for all of you, and hoping that Lily joins you soon!!!

Amanda said...

I'm so so so happy for you guys! Welcome home, Charlie!!!

Can't wait to see a post titled "The Bug is HOME!"

:)

Anonymous said...

Oh-- what WONDERFUL news! I am THRILLED for you all. It's like that heart quote I told you about , Joe... (wink). Pure poetry! LOL.

Come on, Lily!!! It's time for you to join the family.

So you two-- how was the first night?!!!

Cheryl

Kat said...

Yay Charlie!!!!!! Continuing to pray that lily will be home very very soon!

Melissa said...

as soon as i saw the title of your post my mouth literally dropped open with excitment for you guys. i am so happy for you!!!
(bridebnVA from WC)

Anonymous said...

Congrats.... Thats exciting news....

Bridget said...

Wow! That's so great! And soon Lily will be there, and things can finally be normal! (As normal as life with two infants will ever be.)

Jennifer said...

Welcome Home Sweet Charlie!

Anonymous said...

YAY CHARLIE....................

What a wonderful feeling for all.
Congrats Charlie and welcome home my sweet angel. I am sooo happy...
Enjoy your time with Mommy and Daddy - be sure to share it with Roy so that he doesn't get tooo jealous. I hope you gave Mommy and Daddy some rest last night. Or maybe not... Get them ready for what's coming... hehe...

Don't worry Lily will be right behind you and the two of you will be running around with Roy, Roger and Tucker and making all kinds of noise... I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR A LOUD HOUSE............. YES.......... I love you sweetpea...

All My Love, Auntie :) xoxoxox

gmugrad9 said...

Oh Brooke and Joe what wonderful news!!! Congrats!!!

Love

Jen

Emily said...

2 of the 10 babies in my mommies group came home on heart and lung monitors. They are all walking and talking and acting just as sassy as their peers today!

WELCOME HOME CHARLIE!

Is Brooke staying home or going back to work?
How was the first night/day?
Does Charlie seem different now that he's home?

Cindi said...

So glad to read that handsome Charlie is home! And I hope that adorable Lily gets to join her brother soon!

Anonymous said...

omgoodness i am so very very happy for you guys..i actually cheered out loud when i read this and then cried happy tears for you when i saw the at home pics...what a wonderful day for you..God has blessed you with such a great baby boy...enjoy every single second home with him! God bless Lily she will be home soon too!!

Lucy M said...

I'm so happy for you guys! I hope Lily will join Charlie at home soon.

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

So incredibly exciting!!!! Welcome home, Charlie!!! Hopefully Lily is only a few days behind Charlie. In the meantime enjoy your little chunk. It's wonderful to see pics of him at home. :)

Sue said...

Congratulations and Welcome Home Charlie!! Isn't it the best feeling in the world? You almost don't know what to do with him!
So happy for everyone.

Maggie said...

Congratulations!!! I have been following your blog for a couple of months now. I know this must be such an exciting time in your lives!

Welcome Home, Charlie!!!!

Colleen said...

SO EXCITING! So nice to see the pictures of Charlie in the house and Joe holding him without gloves or other hospital stuff around. I am sure Charlie loves his new digs and is enjoying his alone time with Mommy and Daddy!

Jen said...

I totally gasped and then started bawling when I read this!!!! Isn't it the best feeling ever to come home with your baby! I am so happy for you! Lily will be home before you know it!!! Oh I am so happy for you!!!!!

Rebecca, from CT said...

WELCOME HOME CHARLIE!!! How exciting!!! Can't wait to hear how his first night at home went!! Praying that Lily comes home soon!!!

Anonymous said...

Tears of happiness for sure!!!! I'm SO happy for you and WELCOME HOME CHARLIE!!!! I can't wait until I ready... Lily is home! I hope you all had a first good night! Can't wait to hear all about it... The pictures are so cute & the one of Lily is just so adorable as usual!!! Again, CONGRATS!!!!!

Our life is a bowl of Barry's said...

Very good to tune into your blog and see this post!! How exciting for you all. I hope he had a good night and that Lily is home very soon!

Heather said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I had a feeling that this news would be coming when I checked this morning. It's a bummer Lily wasn't able to join her brother, but she will be home soon, too!

After all you've been through, you so deserve to enjoy some normalcy! I'm so happy for you guys.

Welcome home, Charlie!!

BuckeyeBundle said...

Yea Charlie! So excited that he is home! Such wonderful news! Can't wait to hear more about life at home and also news that Lily is joining you too! Yea Charlie! and seriously, that last pic of Lily is too cute!

mrsolsenk12 said...

Yay Charlie! How wonderful for you guys. It iwll give you a chance to get acccustomed to one and then Lily will be right behind him.

Anonymous said...

Hooray!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome Home, Charlie!! Wonderful news to hear this morning. This must be an amazing feeling for you both. Congratulations to your family!

Beth, aka brideinOC

Jaymi said...

How wonderful to have Charlie home. Congrats to your family, and hope Lily will be along soon.

Anonymous said...

This made my whole day!! Yay Charlie!! I had tears in my eyes reading this. Hopefully Lily will join her brother very soon! You two deserve all the happiness in the world!!

Cassie said...

Every day when I see you've posted, I cross my fingers that you'll be posting that the babies are home. This totally made my morning! Congratulations, and I hope Lily follows very, very soon!!!!

Jennifer said...

Yay!! I just got chills reading this post!! I'm so excited to hear that Charlie is home!! Congrats and enjoy that baby!!

Sandi B's mom Eve said...

Tears and goosebumps here also.

Welcome home Charming Charlie ! Your little sister Lovable Lily will share the spotlight at home soon too ! Congrats Mom and Dad !!!!

I love ALL the pictures you put up here. You are loved by many !!

Vanessa said...

It's so amazing to hear/read that Charlie is home with his parents :)
Congratulations to you for having your baby home. And great job Charlie on being such a big boy :)
(Gian&Van2008-The Nest/WC)

Sara and Dustin said...

Your pics made me cry happy tears! Congratulations to your family!!!!

(sourpop from the bump)

Jayme said...

YAY Congrats!!!

Stephanie said...

That is amazingly awesome news!!

Charlie just wanted to get home to make sure it was safe for Lily!
:-)

Erica said...

Congratulations! This is such great news! :-)

Anonymous said...

What a thrilling day !!! Charlie decided to be the "big brother" and make sure everything is ready for Lily to come home. I'm so pleased for all of you ... the best is yet to be.

Delia said...

How exciting! This just made my day.

#1SAHM said...

YEAH!!!!! Welcome home Charlie!!! I'm sooo ecstatic! After everything you two have been through...you deserve nothing but happiness. I hope that Lily is able to come home soon. YEAH for Charlie! : )

citygirlcooks said...

I have chills! So exciting, congrats!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Charlie. I hope the bug is soon to come!

Bree said...

Congrats! How exciting.

Wendy said...

Welcome home, Charlie!!!! How wonderful. I bet Lily is home in no time <3

Amy - Washington, DC said...

This post completely made me cry. I am SO happy for you guys, and of course for Charlie. I can't wait until Miss Lily joins her amazing family at home. You are all in my constant prayers

Dawn BB said...

I'm so happy for you guys. I'm sitting at my desk crying after reading about this (I need to stop reading this blog at work). I can't wait to cry about Lily coming home. Welcome home baby boy.

The Psycho Mama said...

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I am over the moon excited for you! Go Charlie!

Kristine McKowen said...

HOORAY!!! Welcome Home Charlie!

Jade said...

Welcome home, Charlie!! I am so excited for you that he is finally home. Lily Bug is well on her way!

Unknown said...

That is so wonderful. I bet you DID feel unready for a bit. So, so glad for you guys!

Now Lil' hurry up and join your bro!

Jen said...

What wonderful news! Welcome home Charlie!

Anonymous said...

Yeahhh!!! Im so so happy for you guys! You must be so excited! Come on Lily you can do it!

Meg said...

YAY!!! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. :)

Lauryn said...

Yeah Charlie is home!!! How wonderful that must feel! I am sure Lily will be home soon and then you can all be a family together along with your furry children.

Carrie said...

How wonderful! I cheered out loud when I read that Charlie got to come home!!! Lily is NOT far behind. And yes, she is a pretty Bug.

Enjoy snuggling your son at home!!

Linds said...

Yay, Congratulations and Welcome Home Charlie!! I hope Lily is not far too behind her brother.

Molly Jean said...

Congrats! Here's hoping that baby Lily can come home soon too!!

Anonymous said...

I'm thrilled Charlie is home - yeah!! Lily won't be too far behind. BTW - she's a very pretty little girl. :)

Jenn said...

Woo Hoo!!!! Yea Charlie. So happy for you guys, hope you are loving your new role!

Anonymous said...

Oh yay!! I'm so very happy for you guys! Hopefully Lily will be joining you all soon. :)

Anonymous said...

congrats to charlie, and mom and dad too! many blessings from this day forward!!!
god bless!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you! Welcome home Charlie!

Anonymous said...

A big teary CONGRATS from the Deans Family!!!

Anonymous said...

Hooray!!! What a great update! I was so happy when I saw the Headline I couldn't stop smiling!!! I'm so happy for you guys!!!!

Stephanie from Wisconsin

Tara said...

Wow! Congrats on bringing Charlie home. And this pic of Lily is breathtaking!!

Diana Lopez said...

wow, congrats, this brings tears of joy to my eyes...Praying that Lily will be home soon with Charlie

Michele from FTHS said...

Went into your room looking for you Joe and imagine my delightful surprise. I am beyond ecstatic for you and Brooke. Lily will be going your clan soon!

Stephanie said...

Wow congratulations!! I teared up reading this- yayyyy!

greekgirl719 said...

Congratulations! What wonderful, wonderful news! Enjoy your time with Charlie and I will be praying that Lily will be joining all of you very soon!

Olivia said...

BEST.NEW.EVER!!!! Congratulations! Welcome home Charlie! Hopefully lily will be joining you all very soon!

Lisa said...

Congratulations on taking Charlie home!!!!! So excited for you all. Praying for Lily to come home soon!

Anonymous said...

Definitely awesome news!!! =)

Daniela G

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I am so happy to hear that Charlie is home and that Lily will soon be joining him. It must be such an amazing feeling. Enjoy this time, it goes by way too fast.

-Jaimie W. (yes that Jaimie W.)

The Roose Family said...

I have tears in my eyes - I couldn't be happier for you all! Enjoy!

Christine, Jason and Baby said...

Welcome home, Charlie!

Keep growing big and strong so you can go home too, Lily!

Congratulations to you guys!! :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on Charlie's homecoming!!!!!!! I've been following your story from day one and have been waiting to log on and see this message!!! I'm sure Lily won't be too far behind!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you guys. I remember how exciting it was to bring home our first baby after a long NICU stay. It's almost surreal. Enjoy every moment of it.

Jill from TC (GBB@29 weeks)

fresh365 said...

How exciting! Lily will be home before you know it. I was born at 4lbs and the dr told my parents that the smallest ones are the biggest pains in the behind. If that is any indication, you will have your hands full. Keeping you in my thoughts!

Jennifer and Daniel said...

Welcome Home Charlie !! Lily will be home before you know it..Have fun with your little bundles of joy...and God Bless all of you