Happy Birthday to Me!

Today was my 29th birthday, and what better way to spend it then with the babies? Joe and I headed to the hospital this morning for some quality time with Charlie, Annaleigh and Lily. When I arrived in the NICU I discovered that the babies had been busy working on a surprise for me! On each isolette hung a beautiful sign with pictures of each baby and the statement “Happy Birthday Mommy! Annaleigh (or Lily or Charlie) loves you!” I tried to thank Joe for the signs but he insisted that it had been all the babies’ idea. Apparently Lily is a whiz at Photoshop. I also received a gorgeous card that the babies worked on with one of their favorite nurses, Julia. The card featured adorable pictures of each baby on the outside and their little footprints inside. As if that wasn’t enough, my gift from Joe was also extra special: a beautiful ring with the babies’ birthstone, three stones – one for each baby. I love it!

Anyhow, we managed to fit in three NICU visits today! During our first visit we saw the girls. I cuddled with Lily while Joe snuggled Annaleigh. Annaleigh is still doing wonderfully on the nasal canula and Lily was having a great day on the CPAP, with her oxygen requirements as low as 28%. We took a break for lunch, then returned for a private visit with Charlie, during which we both got to hold him. He was on his best behavior today for his mommy’s birthday and at one point was only getting 29% oxygen, the lowest he’s ever been! He was wide awake while I was holding him and was so, so cute.

After visiting Charlie, Joe took me to see Julie and Julia in a nearby theatre. We both really enjoyed the movie, and afterward we went to dinner at a restaurant featuring New Orleans cuisine. We were tempted by the alligator balls, but stuck to more familiar entrees of jambalaya and a yummy cornbread and shrimp stuffed fish with lobster sauce. And what is a birthday without dessert? I enjoyed a warm chocolate pecan tart with ice cream – yum! We finished up dinner, and then headed back to the hospital for our evening baby visit. This time I held Annaleigh while Joe spent some time with the Bug. Both girls gained weight tonight – Annaleigh put on 15 grams for a total of 1150 or 2 lb 8 oz and Lily is closing in on the 3 lb mark – tonight she was 1310, or 2 lb 14 oz. Charlie weighed in at 1415 grams, or 3 lb 3oz. We visited with Charlie one more time before calling it a night and heading home.

This was my first birthday as a mom and it was pretty great. Thank you Joe, Annaleigh, Lily and Charlie for making it so special! I can’t wait until next year when we are all home together to celebrate. And thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes. I distinctly remember that last year my birthday wish was to have a baby, and it was granted times three. What more could I ask for?

Charlie is doing great on the CPAP

Annaleigh could not look more beautiful. Her personality has really developed since her surgery and we couldn't love her more.

Annaleigh would happily stay out of her isolette for cuddling all day long if we would let her.

Lily is definitely a fan of wearing clothes lately. Today she wore this lovely robe.

The cover of the card the nurse made. If you enlarge this, you can see just how much the babies all look alike lately.

Look at the foot prints! This is the inside of the card.