Lily has been really puffy lately due to low sodium levels. She's getting extra sodium and has actually looked better today then the last two days. Her cheeks were really big but today they are almost back to their normal size (which is still quite thick). Her eyes remained a bit big today and we've been telling her she looks like a frog. She does NOT like that at all. Hopefully she'll be back to normal soon.
Charlie and Lily both seem to know that we need them right now. They've been extra good for us when we've held them (which is a lot). Today we held them more on our chests and nestled under our necks-- that's really nice. The feeling of their tiny heads under our chins is wonderful.
It's easier to be with them than not. We can focus on them and love them and take care of them. When we're not there, we're sad and missing Annaleigh. We've been working on finishing up funeral plans and we went to the cemetery today and saw her plot. It was quiet and pretty and we're sure she would like it. A number of Brooke's relatives will be with her and my grandfather isn't too far away and that's a comforting thought.
Two days down. We're going day by day, trying not to look farther into the future than today. It's easier to focus on what we're doing right now, today, than to worry about what's going to happen when.... Thinking too far ahead is too hard, too sad, too heart-breaking. We can control today so that is all we're trying to do.
Lots of wonderful blog comments, facebook messages, emails, texts, etc. We try to draw strength from all of you. So thank you (again). You have made a difference.
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This new baby-holding position is quite wonderful. It's definitely Bug Approved.
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This may just be my favorite picture. Both Charlie and Brooke look like they could happily snuggle with each other forever.
55 comments:
Your strength is amazing. Hugs!
And go Charlie and Lily! So happy they are doing so well.
You guys are so strong, your babies are very lucky to have you as parents. Glad to hear that Lily and Charlie are doing well!
With love, from Arkansas
This is such a sweet, but sad post. I am happy to hear you are both just taking it day by day.
I am praying for you guys, still.
And congrats Mr. Charlie for being the big 4 lbs!! Will you guys be able to bring him home once he is over 5 lbs? Or is there more.. stuff (for lack of a better term) before you can bring him home?
That is absolutely wonderful to hear the Lily is getting better!
Love,
from Michigan!
Oh, your beautiful family is in my every thought. Thank goodness for your precious Lily and Charlie. Beautiful Annaleigh is happy and at peace. Your story has touched so many and everyone cares.
Love and strength,
Bri, San Jose, CA
I agree with everyone, your strength is truly amazing. And you are doing the right thing, live for today, try not to dwell on what is ahead. One day at a time. Your children are beautiful and so so so strong! We're praying for you guys everyday!
From Oklahoma!
Kellyn
(from thenest)
What is it about the under-the-chin-cuddling that makes it so wonderful? You can smell the wonderful baby-smell and rest your cheek on the soft baby-head and listen to their cute-as-can-be baby-coos. . . all at the same time!! I will admit that I definitely sneak some of this wonderful cuddly time in with my patients when their moms and dads are away and they are looking particularly snuggly! :-) Spread the word. . . it's the preferred cuddle position of many moms, dads, AND NICU nurses!!
You two are amazing. You have been in my thoughts all weekend and continue to be in my prayers. Have fun snuggling with the kids. The pictures are adorable. And hooray for weight gains. I hope it all goes up from here!
Go Go Charlie & Lily, keep up the good work...!
My prayers go out with you through every step of your journey.
Go Charlie!! That is so great to hear that he is getting so big! Your strength amazes me during this difficult time.
Remember that Annaleigh is in the loving arms of her Heavenly Father. She is ever near to her mommy and her daddy and her brother and sister. Her body is perfect, and she is perfect. She rejoices at her brothers super 4 pounds, and stays near her sister as she overcomes this salt trouble. She shares your joys, and is waiting eagerly for the day your family can be together again. Know that families do not end at death. Families can be together, forever. You are in our prayers.
You guys are amazing. I'm so glad to hear Charlie is up to 4 pounds! That is just awesome. My kiddos were just under 5 pounds when they left the hospital, so it will not be long now for Charlie and Lily.
These pictures are so beautiful! Charlie and Lily look so peaceful and content.
-Kirsten
Those pictures are some of the most precious yet. I am so happy that the victories are keeping you strong. You all have Annaleigh's will and strength pushing you along. I pray that each day gets a bit easier for you all.
Stephanie
sapphire1398 from SAIF
I am so proud of Charlie and Lily -they know you need them and are co-operating. This is your family...
They're there for you. Annaleigh is watching over you and she is so proud of each of you. Your strength - your memories - your togetherness. Just remember - Annaleigh will never leave you - she is still here in everyone's heart. She is loved more and more each day. As is Charlie and Lily.
Stay strong my sweet angels - all five of you...
All My Love, Auntie
xoxoxoxox
Way to go Charlie and Lilly. Keep it up!
Your strength is AMAZING!!!
Way to go Charlie and Lily!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Its great that Charlie and Lily 'know' that you need them right now and that even at this young age they can support and lift up their parents!
You have been such an inspiration to me and I'm finally learning not to sweat the small stuff thanks to y'all. Thank you for that.
Love from Wisconsin
The latest pictures are wonderful-- how beautiful both Lily and Charlie are. It's amazing how big they are both getting. You are totally right-- just celebrate today and what you DO have-- your sweet Annaleigh serves to remind all of us that lesson everyday. Take comfort in the little miracles that you're holding now and watch them grow... and keep snuggling! :) Rely on each other, as well as your family and friends and all of these wonderful people who post on here, in this trying time. You've affected so many people. Tell Lily and Charlie we're clapping for them and their progress. Go babies!!!
Cheryl
So many hugs to you both. That's fantastic news about Charlie hitting 4lbs and that picture of him and Brooke is too precious for words.
Your strength and love for eachother and your babies is truly amazing and inspiring.
Way to go Charlie!
That is a wonderful picture of Brooke and Charlie.
Hugs
Jen
Hooraaaaaaay, Charlie!! So glad to hear the chub-tastic news!
And yes, that picture of Brooke and Charlie is simply beautiful. I literally said, "Awwww, precious" out loud.
One day at a time; we're all with you in heart & spirit.
-Courtney
Way to go Charlie! What a big boy!
My heart breaks for you all, but you are such strong people, and such good parents!
Bless you all. It is wonderful that you have them to hold and snuggle right now. I know your pain, with faith and each other, you will make it through. Squeeze the bug and chunks extra hard over the next few days. Hang in there!
Handling day by day is probably the best thing to do. I can't imagine being in your shoes. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Brooke, Charlie and Lily. They will miss her too. As for "Chunks" and "Bug", what's better than snuggling into Mommy and Daddy's chests?? NOTHING!!! Do it often; skin to skin is the best medicine for all of you right now!! Thinking of you.
Your strength through this is incredible.
Yay for 4 pound Charlie! Hopefully Lily will follow closely behind him. :) But girls are meant to be petite, right? ;)
So glad to hear Lily & Charlie can bring you such comfort at this time and from now on. They are just beautiful babies!
Thinking of you and wishing you peace and healing.
You guys are still amazing me! So glad to hear Charlie and Lily are doing well. Enjoy the time with your two precious babies!! Your entire family remains in my thoughts and prayers. (((BIG hugs)))
As a Bob Dylan fan these lyrics have meant a lot to me:
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
(There are more lyrics, but I didn't want to take over the comments section.)
Charlie is getting so big. It is amazing to watch. Little babies grow up so fast. Before you know it he'll be crawling, and then running (not walking).
And I don't blame Lily at all. Who would like being told they look like a frog?
You guys are in our prayers.
I have been following your blog and as a fellow Long Termer at SPUH last year, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to your entire family on the passing of little Annaleigh. She was loved by many people in her short life and has touched so many lives. The staff at the NICU are amazing people and I couldn't have done it without them and the staff on 4G for all those months, and know that they will be there for you for the rest of your lives...Welcome to the SPUH family.
God Bless all of you and little Annaleigh is now an Angel with God and is watching over Charlie and Lily and Daddy and Mommy. :)
What beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing them. I have been thinking of you very often and praying that you will find peace in this difficult time. Words cannot express my sorrow at what you are going through.
What incredible pictures that will surely be cherished always. It is great to hear about the progress Charlie and Lily are making.
Continuing to keep your family in my prayers.
"Choensa"
(Since you mentioned countries in the other post, our prayers are coming from South Korea. ^^)
You all are such an inspiration! I'm continuing to pray for you all!
Lily and Charlie are looking great! Beautiful babies! That's so wonderful that Charlie is up to 4lbs! It seems so small but compared to the size at birth it is definitely a lot larger and I just want Mommy and Daddy to know that Lily and Charlie are SO lucky to have the parents they do!!! Your strength is amazing! The look that the both of you give to your precious babies are hard to describe but you guys seem to be glowing while holding them and gazing at them with unconditional love! Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and everyday and in the days to come I know will be tough but Annaleigh's Angel will be with you and I hope that helps ease your pain!
Enjoy your little angels and keep up the awesome parenting!
Joe and Brooke,
Just wanted to know that I'm thinking of you and your family.
I followed your cooking blog and now this blog. My husband and I are about your age, live in Bordentown, NJ, and are expecting our first child, so some similarities with you.
Your strength and love is inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
-Steph
Your strength is so amazing! So glad that things are staying positive with Charlie and Lily! What a beautiful picture of mother and son. :)
Your strength and love for one another and your children is awe-inspiring. Thank you for continuing to update us on your family and sharing all your ups and downs. We are here for you and are truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this difficult, but amazing journey.
Stay strong Lily and Charlie you are loved by so many!
-Kerry
cloey615 on the nest
It sounds like you are doing the best you can and we are so glad you are finding strength and comfort with Charlie and Lily. Your family continues to be in our thoughts and prayers.
You two are amazing and your babies are so, so lucky to have you as parents! Yay for Charlie hitting 4lbs!! I'm so happy to hear Charlie & Lily are doing well :) And taking it day by day is the best thing you can do. You all continue to be my thoughts & prayers every day. (((HUGS)))
Kiane (from SAIF)
Way to go Charlie on the weight gain and Lily on taking your pacifier!!! You two are going to be so intensely loved, and already are! Keep putting smiles on your parents faces, they need them! Keep giving them all the courage in the world with lil Annaleigh gone they definately will need the two of you.
God Bless Annaleigh who is at peace and in a place of no hurt or misery. I wish you a very peaceful ceremony in honor of her short life and a peaceful resting place for her!
God Speed! Give those lil ones extra big hugs from all of us in Canada who are praying extra hard for everyone!
Wow - What a story. You two are such strong parents - the babies are all lucky to have you.
Sending love, strength and hugs to the whole family. You are doing it just right taking it day by day...
Know that we are rooting for you 24/7!!!!!
Love from Charleston, SC
Way to go, Lily and Charlie! Hang in there, Mom and Dad. One day at a time.
Hey girl, it's your old pal from the nest CB. A bit ago when I was lurking on the nest I can't tell you how excited I was to hear of your pregnancy and when I heard you had triplets I was over the moon happy for you. I am so sorry for what your family is going through I can't even imagine. Your strength is inspiring my thoughts go our to you and your family.
Take care,
Claudia (CB90210)
Just another stranger who came to your blog through another blog who wanted to let you know you are all in my prayers. Your babies are obviously surrounded by love and that will help you all get through the difficult times ahead and I happen to believe that sweet Annaleigh will be watching over you all as well and rooting on her siblings to continue to grow and get stronger and stronger. Take care of each other and know that many people are thinking of you and admiring your strength and courage.
I drove past St. Peter's today on my way home and thought of you both and your little ones. Of course Charlie isn't so little anymore! Beautiful words and pictures. Thank you for keeping us in your world, even though it can't be easy.
Congrats on Charlie's weight gain - that's wonderful news! And what sweet, previous pictures of you and your babies - they are definitely something to treasure.
Your family is in my prayers - you are both wonderful parents and I really admire you.
Wow...4 lbs...Good Boy Charlie!!!
Brooke I love that picture of you and Charlie...it is precious. =)
Daniela G
The pictures are adorable. Now you can sniff them! Baby smell.... mmmmmm (O; Miss you Brooke.
that picture of charlie and brooke is one of the most beautiful things i have ever seen. stay strong, all of you.
love,
kristina and crew
You get to have bare hands with them? I am so jealous. I have to wear gowns and gloves with both and after I see Jonathan (with MRSA), I cannot see Sarah again till I take a shower and change clothes. I'd told them if they were going to require this considering it was a hospital-acquired infection, they HAD to give me a shower facility as driving home every day to shower/change was not working so well, so they ultimately gave me a room. I cannot even pump with the other mothers. My breast milk cannot be stored with theirs and they've not yet gotten me fridges for my babies. They won't even store his milk and her milk in the same fridge. And I assume trying to breastfeed Jonathan at least till we leave is out of the question. MRSA sucks pretty hard.
I am glad Lily and Charlie are there to give you comfort....there's nothing like holding your wee ones to make the world better, is there?
Lisa
Your family continues to stay in my prayers every day. I'm a Nestie from Colorado and started reading your blog this weekend. Annaleigh looked like a precious angel.
Seeing you both cuddling so sweetly with your babies is making me cry! They are such amazing pictures.
I think of you guys all the time, and taking it day by day is doing a lot. I will be thinking of you and praying for you as you face the most difficult days of your lives.
candles burning
with hope
with prayers
with love
filling the night with their light
now the candles burn
in our minds
in our hearts
eternal flames
that will never dim
for a beautiful little angel
God Bless Annaleigh.
Your whole family is my thoughts and prayers.
What a wonderful post, and Charlie and Lily look like the best medicine for broken hearts. Thinking of you and Annaleigh.
Rachel (Nestie)
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