Randomly Silly

Determined to get outside today and get some fresh air.  The weekend is slated to be rainy and dreary, so even if I got to sneak out for only 10 minutes...

totally worth it. 

Probably because I spent a good portion of Summer at the hospital, it seems like it has slipped right past us.  Before I checked into the hospital, I had just bought J some new bathing suits and coverups - and they never got used.  Today was plenty hot, dad to the rescue with the pool idea.

Random silliness that I love :)

The Sun Shines

Day 4 of being home, 3 nights of learning.  All things one could anticipate being complicated with twins, indeed is.  They eat, usually at the same time.  One wakes and stirs while the other is seemingly out cold... only to find a moment later #2 has the same idea. 

And here's my system for knowing who is who... Alivia is always on the left and Annalise is always on the right.  Their cribs, Alivia left, Annalise right.  In the swings, in their bassinets, in their car seats.  I can tell them apart, but it takes a moment of assessment.  And if all else fails, their hospital bands are still on.  Luckily, I haven't had to refer to them yet.  It remains to be seen when I'll snip them off.  For now, they stay.

And day 4 will likely be a repeat of the previous 3.  Although today is a school day for Josie, so even more casual than yesterday. Naps, eating, washing baby clothes, editing pictures, cuddling, cuddling and more cuddling. Ed's been working on lots of long neglected house projects while he's off this week, in between diapers and feedings, of course. The real test will come next week when he's back at work.  Here's hoping my mom doesn't decide to take a vacation any time soon!

Family of 5

We left this place for the last time on Sunday, bringing home Annalise.  Our family complete and home. So great.

A lot happened here, a place that was comforting and safe while I waited for their arrival, caring people that changed my life and my family forever.  It was bittersweet to say goodbye to a place that was such a huge part of our lives for 40 days.  But we knew the biggest adventure of our lives was waiting for us at home, and were were excited to jump in feet first!

Our last moments in the NICU before packing up, the last minutes of being connected to monitors!  A freeing moment to hold our baby and walk around with her.   We packed her up tight in the car seat, just like we did with Alivia a few days prior... and said goodbye.

Ed, so proud and happy to snap her in and drive off.  I made sure to stop and grab my ritualistic hibiscus ginger ale and blueberry muffin at my favorite tea place as a final adios, and we hit the road. 

We've now survived two nights of twins. It's a drastic adjustment, a steep learning curve, but I think we might just be good at this.  True, we're both home and I have my amazing mom to help, AND they sleep 90% of the day... but it's better than I imagined.  So good. Josie's a great big sister and proving to be a great helper.  It's good to be home.



Hooray for Home

Official news we were headed home came this week. Alivia is a few days ahead of her sister. While sad Annalise wasn't equally as ready to come home, we know she is only a few days behind and will be making the same journey home soon. Having been home a few days now, we are glad we had this slow transition home and into the world of twindom!

Alivia, day 14

We were discharged from the hospital on Thursday, and got to hold and love Alivia for the first time without any monitors connected to her.  It made us nervous to detach from the reassurance all the monitoring gave us, but now that we've been home a few days watching her every adorable move and listening to her coo, we are more relaxed.

Alivia ready for home

She gets swallowed up in the carseat (and this is even one of the smaller models!), and I of course rode home in the back seat with her.  As any baby would do, she slept the entire ride home. 

And yet the nursery isn't quite finished yet, but getting close.  I have art to hang and arranging to do.  I never thought the day would come that I'd have them home to fill the cribs.  I can't wait to see them both here.  Soon!

Upgraded

This past weekend brought some exciting changes.  We moved from the 80s to the 60s (series of rooms), and in NICU speak, that means we moved to the other side of the NICU where we transition to home!  

Alivia, day 13

 With that great news, we spend our days at the hospital doing things much like we would do at home.  We feed them on a schedule, we cuddle, we do diapers, we cuddle more.  The feeding tubes are coming out very soon, they're still there only as a precaution in case one of the girls poops out during a feeding.  To keep their weights increasing, they must take every drop of milk at every feeding. 

Alivia (left), Annalise (right)

Their new room even has a window.  This weekend was the Chicago Air and Water Show which we had a million dollar view of.  We cuddled and sat by the window all weekend.  Ah, and last but not least, they're in open cribs and out of the isolettes.  That means they've mastered maintaining their own body temps.  Just like all the nurses told us, they are strong and won't be there long.  With each passed day we can tell they're stronger and getting closer to coming home!