Goodbye NICU, hello sleepless nights!

As most of you already know, both girls are now home from the NICU.  Abriella was discharged on New Years Eve and Eva was discharged last Thursday, January 5th.  I thought we would be so excited to leave the NICU, but truth is, it was a little sad.  Don't get me wrong, we are thrilled to have both of our girls at home, but after 40 some days, we met some people we will never forget.  It was a long journey that a few nurses in particular, helped us get through.

As a NICU nurse, you can sign up to do primary care for certain babies, so we had a lot of the same nurses take care of the girls.  This allowed us to get to know them and helped us feel comfortable leaving the girls in their care.  One nurse in particular that we loved was Kelly.  She taught us so much and we knew she truly cared for our girls.  On the night Eva was discharged, Kelly walked us to the car to help with our stuff and to make sure we got both girls in the car safely.  She went to each side of the car to say goodbye to both girls, and when I went to say goodbye, she was crying.  I, of course, also started crying.  But what a true blessing to have someone like her care so much for our babies.  She will be missed!

                                                        Kelly with the girls

                                                    Ella & Eva leaving the NICU

So we are on day 4 of having both girls home and things are starting to settle down.  We are developing a routine that is helping us manage.  Sleep is something that is hard to come by these days, but we have found that taking shifts is what allows either of us to get any sleep.  The girls need to eat every three-four hours, so we both get up for feedings, but then one of us will go back to sleep til the next feeding and the other person is on duty and gets both babies to sleep or tries to at least. ;) And then we switch.  Once the girls are better eaters, we hope one person will be able to manage both.  But for now, I think our plan works.  My mom was here over the weekend so we were both able to catch up on some sleep. (Thanks mom!!)

We have had other visitors and helpers that I am also thankful for.  If you'd like to see the girls or help, we just ask that you are healthy and have been healthy for a while.  The girls, as preemies with immature lungs, do not have a strong immune system and are susceptible to RSV and other respiratory issues.  So we ask that you please consider them and their health before you come see them.

Having both girls home has been a long time coming.  I finally feel like I can hold and cuddle them when I want to and comfort them when they cry.  As I type with one hand and hold Ella with the other, I am reminded daily of what a blessing they truly are!  God is good, and He is faithful.

                                              Eva & Ella getting some tummy time

                                          Ella & Eva (the other sock? not a clue...)