Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Lily Steps Down

Today was a big day for Lily Bug – she moved from the intensive care nursery to the special care nursery! This is a baby’s a last stop before leaving the NICU so we are so excited to see her there and we are so proud of her. She’s been on room air consistently now for almost 24 hours, so that is a big step too. We think Lily has gotten tired of hearing about Charlie’s progress and is ready to give him a run for his money.

As for Charlie, this evening he is getting his PCG test. For this test, Charlie spends 12 hours on a super-sensitive monitor that records all his desats and bradies. This test is most often given to determine whether or not a baby needs to go home on a monitor. Charlie and Lily are both getting monitors automatically, since Charlie is on caffeine and both had very low birth weights. So in this case the PCG test is being used to show the doctors just exactly when Charlie has episodes and hopefully figure out pattern to his behaviors. It won’t necessarily help anything, but it’s good to know. We got quite a kick out of the monitor though, as the set up required Charlie to wear a probe and tape on his face making him look like Hannibal Lecter. He enjoyed his evening bottle with fava beans and a nice chianti.

Both babies had their hearing tests today and passed just fine. Another check mark on their “To Do” list for making it home.

Today was also a big day for Charlie’s isolation roommate Ethan. After almost 5 months in the NICU, Ethan went home tonight! Born at just 23 weeks, Ethan is a true miracle who beat all the odds and is now a beautiful, healthy boy. Over the past several weeks we have grown close to Ethan’s parents, and it was hard to say good-bye to them tonight. But it was so wonderful to see them preparing Ethan for his trip home – I can only imagine how wonderful they must feel. So, good luck Ethan! You are an inspiration and we will never, ever forget you!


It's only milk in his bottle, despite what Hannibal Charlie may prefer.


Yup. She's a daddy's girl!


The Bug has the sweetest, most precious face when she's sleeping.

26 comments:

sue said...

Oh, my goodness -- that picture of Lily and Joe is positively precious! I love the way she is holding his chin! It put a big smile on my face!

Quince Family said...

What a cute picture of Lily and her Daddy...definitely made me smile tonight. You're checking items of your list and it's just a matter of time now until you can bring your babies home and love on them whenever you want! How exciting!

Meg said...

Ohmygosh! What cute pictures - and I'll admit, Hannibal Charlie made me chuckle. :)

So very happy to read both babies are doing well & that you both are doing well, too. We're keeping you all in our prayers & not a day goes by that I don't think of you.

Hope those babies are home soon!! :)

Katherine said...

Go, Lily, go!

Yay, Charlie!

Congratulations to Ethan and his mommy and daddy!

Diana Lopez said...

wow, thats great news, congrats to Lily, she looks so happy in this picture, maybe because she knows she'll be going home soon...and Hannibal Charlie, well that did crack me up, Praying for both of your beautiful children.

Congrats, to Ethan and his parents

Anonymous said...

AWh!! How stinkin' adorable are those babies?

Lily is sooo cute sleeping -- I love that face!!

Charlie looks great too :-)

I am so thrilled to hear the babes are doing great. Hopefully they'll be home soon!

Prayers,
from GA

Katrina said...

I'm seeing some double chin starting to show up there on Lily! Woohoo! They both look great! So excited!

Gretchen said...

I actually laughed out loud when I saw Charlie and your comment about Hannibal Charlie, though I felt bad for him because it didn't look to comfy. One of the things that I still to this day cherish is the look on my little girls face when she is sleeping, it is exactly the same minus the auto suck thing she did with her mouth thinking there was a bottle there, but you will see that one thing that will never change no matter how big they get is the precious peaceful look on their gorgeous faces!!!
Congrats on working your way up the ladder and closer to home with your babies!!!
All my love and prayers!

Becca said...

So cute & love that sweet little hand on Joe's chin! I am soooo glad that everything is going well and pointing to them coming home soon! Yay for big kid beds and the special care nursery!

Will you room in before you leave the hospital? We did that for two nights and it was nice for peace of mind and to ease us into full on parenting after weeks of having the nurses help us!

Lauren said...

I love your babies!

Anonymous said...

I SEE CHUBBY BABIES.............
Congrats Little Miss Lil... I am so proud of you. I cannot wait for your homecoming.

Congrats to Ethan and his Mommy and Daddy.

All My Love, Auntie :) xooxo

pyjammy pam said...

oh my gosh, the babies are just getting more and more adorable and beautiful every day!

and goooo lily!

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

Go Lily, go Lily!!

Before I even read the bit about Charlie looking like Hannibal I thought that was exactly what he looked like. :) I hope everything goes well with the test.

Rebecca, from CT said...

What good news!!! Soon Lily and Charlie will be preparing to go home with you and Joe!!! Keep up the good work babies!!!

Colleen said...

LOLing at the Hannibal Lecter mask. And I LOVE that pic of Lily cupping Joe's chin. These babies are ready to bust out!

Anonymous said...

Love these pictures! This is great news! Congrats!!! Homebound very soon!!!! Congrats to baby Ethan & his family!! All around great news! Thanks for making my day!!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

SO much to be thankful for!! Congrats to Lily, Charlie & mommy & daddy too! Thank you baby Annaleigh to make this all happen & look over your family. You are truly the hero!

The Psycho Mama said...

Your children are absolutely beautiful.

akoto said...

What great news! They are getting more and more beautiful every single day.

Michele from from FTHS said...

Those pics are just too cute for words. They are two BEAUTIFUL babies. What huge progress they have made. Kudos, Little D's.

Unknown said...

WOW.. that is truly amazing about Ethan. What a miracle for sure! Gave me the chills!

And gooooo Lily!

Anna J said...

The babies look GREAT!! Can't wait to hear that you are loading them up andtaking them home. You are still in my prayers!

Unknown said...

With Lily in the stepdown unit, it won't be long now! I hope you will keep us in the loop once everyone comes home! Love and prayers to all of you.

Macchiatto said...

LOVE the pictures!! And way to go, Lily, Charlie and Ethan!

Jess said...

Way to go Lily!!

Sandi B's Mom - Eve said...

A woman just walked past my desk here at work....she asked what is that big smile all about ?........enough said ! :) I am so happy I have goosebumps at the beautiful pictures and knowing your whole family will be together at home very soon. Hip Hip Hooray at Lily and Charlies' progress !!!

PS: WTG Ethan !!!!