Friday, September 18, 2009

Goodbye Tubes?

It’s been well over 24 hours now since Lily has needed her feeding tube. She’s happily taken all her feedings by bottle every chance she’s gotten and hopefully she’s not looking back! This evening she was a very sleepy Bug during her 9:00 feeding but she still managed to take the whole bottle for her mommy. What a good girl!


Charlie had a good day too. He’s about the same as yesterday as far as his feeding/breathing issues but every one of his heart rate drops was self-limiting and he was able to bring himself back to normal very quickly. He was wide awake for his mommy this afternoon and happily sucking his thumb when I visited him in the evening.

We signed the consent forms today to have Charlie circumcised, possibly as soon as tomorrow but more likely sometime Monday or Tuesday. It’s a pretty routine and harmless procedure and we didn’t really hesitate about getting it done. We’re happy that he’ll have it done now so the nurses in the NICU can look after his “recovery.”

Two of Charlie’s primary nurses, Mary and Carolyn, surprised us tonight with gifts for Lily and Charlie. They gave us a bib and a book for Charlie and two small memory boxes—one pink and one blue. They, along with Nurse Sue, gave us a memory box after Annaleigh died and we loved it so much and put a lot of her things in it. Knowing this, they bought us boxes for our other two babies. They gave us this tonight because it’s Carolyn’s last night for a couple weeks and Mary is going on vacation after Sunday, and there’s a chance that at least Charlie will be home before they come back to the NICU. Lily’s nurse Julia is also on vacation and may not be back before The Bug is home. This is a surreal feeling. We’ve spent so much time with these wonderful, wonderful people and the realization that we may not see them again is quite shocking. We have such genuine gratitude and love for them that it will be very hard to really say goodbye when it’s finally time to bring our babies home.

Now we just need everyone to keep improving. Both babies are big enough to come home so we just need the other issues to settle down. Charlie needs to get his heart rate drops under control and Lily needs to keep up the bottle feedings and get off the cannula. We can finally see end of our journey in the not-too-distant future!

24 comments:

Heidi said...

My favorite picture of Lily thus far. She's beautiful!!!

sue said...

The whole idea of the babies coming home must really come to life when the nurses do this because they think the babies will be home before they get back in 2 weeks!! Woo hoo!

Anonymous said...

Look at those baby cheeks... You are absolutely adorable angels...
This is such exciting news - keep it up and I feel for you leaving these people. They will always hold a special place in your heart. 21 years later - I truely love my doctor because she saved my baby. It's just a bond that you will always have. As hard as it is - cheer up - and bring those little ones home so that we can all spoil them. We are all so waiting for that day... I love you angels - all three of you...

All My Love, Auntie ;) xoxoxox

Anonymous said...

huge smile on my face as i read this... <3 nikki joy

The Dillards said...

Yeah for the leaps and bounds forward. When our son was in the NICU they had a reunion very year. We get to see the NICU doctors and nurses every year. Check
with the nurses and patient advocate.

Tamara said...

They looks so good! Thank God for great NICU staff.

Samantha said...

What beautiful pictures. I just love the one of Lily!

Anonymous said...

Lily looks just like you Brooke!

Lindsay said...

How exciting to think they could be going home so soon. I am thrilled for you.

Anonymous said...

This is all awesome wonderful news! I'm sure all those wonderful nurses will miss Charlie & Lily too but we all know the best place for them is HOME! These pictures are precious!!! They are both so cute!!!!!!!!!

Kristine McKowen said...

Great news! Both pictures are so cute!

Good too see Charlie in a more manly blanket tonight!

Let's get those babies home.

Michele from FTHS said...

Joe and Brooke...I am so very happy for you and your family. One can see the relief on Joe. He has been smiling at work and even seems to have a "lighter" step. What a lift it must be to know your family will be all together soon.

Anonymous said...

I am soooo happy to hear that the babies are doing so well, and that they will soon be home where they belong!! They definitely get cuter by the day!!

Becca said...

Adorable pictures! Lily looks so sweet & peaceful. SO glad things keep looking up & the babies will hopefully come home soon!

Anonymous said...

I am so thrilled for you both. May the babies continue to thrive and may they come come soon! They're beautiful!

Cheryl

Anonymous said...

I agree! Best picture yet of Lily!! I love all your sweet pictures. Grow, babies, grow!

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

They both look great! It's so fantastic to see them looking so chunky and happy, with hardly anything obscuring their adorable faces. :)

And I can't believe your NICU journey is coming to an end. I know it seems like an eternity when you're living it every day, but it's hard to believe it's been almost two months. I can't wait for them to come home so I can finally meet them!

Cat said...

Hello,
I have been following with your blog for the last few days and this morning, I logged into the computer and couldnt wait for the latest news. I have to say that both of you are stronger than I could ever be and I admire that! Your babies are amazing little fighters and are getting so big! I cant wait for you to able to take them home! Keep us up to date, I love reading your updates.

GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR BABIES!

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are too cute for words. They both look so great!

sue said...

The picture of Charlie is adorable, but it's the picture of Lily that has won me over! She even sleeps like a little drama queen. Just wait till she's a teenager!

Gretchen said...

What wonderful nurses you guys have been blessed with! The babies are looking soooo wonderful and Brooke and Joe but I think I've seen more of Brooke (probably because Joe is doing the picture taking) but when you are holding Charlie or Lily the look on their faces are just so amazingly peaceful and happy and just so very content! Both babies are getting so big and beautiful and you guys are doing such a wonderful job as parents, the look on their little faces... they just glow with happiness and you can just tell how loved you guys are and how much they're loved by Mommy and Daddy! You all have come so far and we will continue to pray for their homecoming! It doesn't look like it's too far off! Also the books you've been reading the babies are wonderful! I have a six year old and she has a lot of them but I have gone out and bought some of the ones that we didn't have for her, and they are great books! Meara is reading now so it has been good practice for her.
Congrats on how well the babies are doing and how far you've come and I just want you to know that you guys are truly an inspiration for how strong you have been and for being there all the time for your babies no matter how hard and hectic things were! They are so lucky to have you as parents! You guys live for the moment and some people have trouble doing that but the smiles on your faces and how active you are with them... if it wasn't for the back round and the tubes (which are becoming a thing of the psst) you would never even know you were in a hospital!

Laura Marchant said...

What great news!

latinalonestar said...

3 studies concluded that 240 North American boys die each year from complications of circumcision. I would not say that this is "harmless". Please leave your boy happy and whole!

Anonymous said...

Many men wish they'd been given the choice about whether to be circumcised or not. The foreskin protects the head of the penis from injury and also is a major nerve center. You can read a list of functions here http://www.circumstitions.com/Functions.html