NICU Day 28~ We are Homebound

Life was a bit of a whirlwind once Grey overcame his eating issues and Camden was able to finally hold his own body temperature. 28 days later and we are leaving our little suite in the NICU and going home. It's a bit surreal. We've been operating on autopilot for so long.... What will we do now that you all are home?! We are all so excited to have you home. Especially the big kids at home waiting for you. They haven't been able to see you much in person, but they have given you plenty of virtual kisses through Facetime.

Cailin The 6yr Old

 

Cailin. My little social butterfly. You are willing to be friends with every child. You talk and approach kids nearly every place we go. You're my extroverted and strongly opinionated child. You are a girl that knows what you want and how it should be done. You think you should be engaged and having fun 24hrs of the day. You ask lots of questions and are a thinker. You reason and express your opinion a lot. "Rylie shouldn't get in trouble if it was an accident." You asked your Dad to take you to the library because you needed to take your movie back. When he couldn't because he had to go to work. You asked, "Is him having to work more important than the fact that you could lose your library card if you don't take the movie back on time." You smart smart girl! You shared with me you want to read but just don't want to take the time to actually learn too. Ha! Brilliant and honest to a fault! I'm expecting you to literally take over the world. We love you sweet Girl!!

Bittersweet

 

 Today is the first of school. And its bittersweet for me because on one hand I'm excited for you. I'm happy that you have this opportunity. I'm optimistic about your peers and the future friends you will make. But, and it's a big one, I'm sad that our homeschool journey has come to an end. I'm sad to watch you grow because it all feels so soon that you'll be on your own to discover the world. I also am confident that you are ready. I have watched you prepare for this day and it made me happy the way you took charge the day the summer reading list came in the mail and read every single book. Even the boring ones. I knew then that you were ready. I watched you sort and organize your school supplies in nervous anticipation of your first day. I watched you try on different clothes looking for that "first" day of school outfit. I like the way you humored me and let me take photos and videos even though you thought it was useless because you're not a little kid anymore (those are your words, not that in actually believe it).

You are 15! I called you 14. Ha! Where the heck did that extra year go. You are kind, conscientious, and over all a great kid. You are a good big sister. You adore your sisters, as well as your new baby brothers. Your are very quiet and introspective. You are very responsible. You are respective (most of the time). 

This year we have seen you step up and really help our family out as we went through a crisis of my sickness and pregnancy. We wish you the absolute best big girl!!

She humors me sometimes and lets me take photos. Ha! But she drew the line at taking photos on campus. I was only able to snap this one. When I really wanted to follow her around with camera and record her day!

Crazy Silly Faces

Two silly girls and the faces they can make!

 The End.

NICU Day 11

Camden you came out of the Isolette again. But because of a puking spell and the stress of your increased feeds, you were again put back in the warmer. This time they will slowly wean the temperature down inside. Camden you are 4lb 3oz.

Grey you are doing wonderfully. You lost a little weight in the beginning but now you continue to gain. You are 4lb 13oz.

NICU Day 10- The Day We All Came to Visit

Cailin was so excited to hold you! All day she was practicing and asking questions. Oh the anticipation!

 Me: Rylie what's the baby's name?
 Rylie: Person

 Rylie you were surprisingly gentle with the babies.

 Look at Rylie's latest smile. She closes her eyes and smiles really big when you say cheese.

NICU Day 9- Daddy Time

Daddy held you both for the first time!

NICU Day 8

Camden repeatedly had borderline temperatures, so he was placed back in the isolette. I was a little disappointed, because we've had a lot of good days so far. But I have to remember that NICU life is two steps forward and sometimes one step back.

Good news is Grey you remained in the open crib. You have done great so far. And now you both don't have your IV's any longer. One less connection!

 It works out for me to go to the hospital early in the morning. Your big sister wanted to see you all so bad that she got out of the bed at 5am so we could be at the hospital about 7. She sat and loved on you, Grey. She talked to you and didn't want to put you down. Everyone told me of stories where the older sibling wasn't thrilled that their parents were having more children. That has never been the case with Ariel. She loved you guys and counted down the days and weeks until you could come home.

NICU Day 7

We came into the NICU and found you both out into open cribs. We were so happy! Then we learned that your IV's will be discontinued tomorrow because you are almost up to full feeds. Progress! Progress! Progress!

NICU Day 5

You both are doing so well today. Camden needs no help breathing and is out from under the lights for jaundice. Grey was weaned off CPAP yesterday but is still jaundiced.

My Little 3yr Old

Rylie, I look at you and don't even see your little baby face so much anymore. I love your big toothy smile. I am constantly surprised at the things you say. One day I was yelling at you to get out of my room, because you get into my things if I'm not there to keep watch, and I could hear you in the hall say, "You so grumpy." Yesterday, you said "Mommy I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?" Today in your swimsuit you asked, "How do I look?" My favorite of your sayings that I hear most often, "Can you help me. I so little and you're so big." I could go on and on you funny girl. You know the alphabet. You play hide-and-seek and can count perfectly to 10. Although you don't like to count as much as you like to hide. You are just now fully potty trained and I have to say you more than make up for the ease of training your older sisters. You are a very picky eater, but you are willing to eat if dessert is on the menu. Especially if it's chocolate. No chocolate is safe in this house. You are even willing to climb to great heights to get it. You love your brothers. You are gentle with them and my alert if one is crying. You love your big sisters. You and Cailin will sleep in the same bed and you even want Ariel to sleep in your room too.  Your favorite website to play games is Sesame Street. You also like PBS too. You can sit quietly for hours playing games. I love that you laugh at the same things over and over. You always share it with everyone knowing they will laugh at it too.  You are a little naughty. Dad doesn't like you watching Bratz on the Kindle. You sneak to watch it and turn it off if he comes to your room. You sneak snacks from the kitchen if you are hungry and didn't eat your dinner. Dinner, by the way is probably the worst meal for you because I fix lots of vegetables and you are not a fan of them. You found that thumb when you were days old and I'm pretty sure you suck it 22 of the 24 hours in a day. That thumb is so soggy all the time that the nail doesn't grow and there's a bump on the knuckle. You are precocious, conscientious, and funny. We love you sweet Rylie.

NICU Day 3

Camden was taken off CPAP. You didn't need help breathing any longer.

 Then you both were jaundiced. So, under the bili lights you go!

NICU Day 2~ Kangaroo Time

Just Camden and I. We lay skin to skin. And I love it!

Grey had a little trouble breathing, so I had to hold off on holding you. But we still held hands.

P.S. Daddy didn't want to hold you both just yet, because you were so small and hooked up to lots of different monitors.