thankyou mimi

Over the last three and a half months one story has been left untold, my mom's.  I am sure she would prefer it continue to remain that way, however, we are incredibly grateful for everything she has done and want to share!

The morning I went into preterm labor Matt and I called our parents as soon as we knew what was going on.  Normally my first phone call would have been to my mom, however she was in Chile visiting my brother Ryan!

Matt called my dad (who was also traveling) who called my grandparents who emailed Mom!  Mom happened to check her email that afternoon in between site-seeing and called us immediately.  Even though we assured her I would be ok and she didn't need to cut her trip short, Mom and Ryan spent the afternoon rearranging Mom's flights.  The following morning (a day before her scheduled departure) she got on a plane in Chile and headed for Minot.  She got in Monday evening exhausted but happy to be here.  The minute Mom walked into my hospital room there was a different vibe.  All of a sudden all the tension was lifted and both Matt and I were able to relax a little.   

The morning Bryce and Zoey were born, Mom was able to be with Matt while I was in surgery.  I don't know what it was like in that hallway but I know that I was able to focus my energy on the babies instead of Matt and Mom.  They had each other to cry with, pace the halls, laugh with, and hug once they heard the new that the babies were ok.  From what they told me, they were like little kids: anxious and excited.  (I would love to see the security videos.)  When I came back to my room Mom and Matt were able to tell me every detail about my children.  It was very reassuring to hear from them that the kids were doing well.

The first week we visited the babies as often as we could.  After I was discharged, Mom drove me to the hospital whenever I asked.  She never questioned the time of day or what else was going on.  She made sure I was also taken care of: helping with laundry and cleaning, getting me up and down stairs, making food, and so much more. 

Then we got the news about the evacuation and the kids going to Fargo.  Mom stayed calm even through all the chaos.  I know we were all scared and worried but Mom took my hand and told me it was going to be ok, she would make sure I was with Bryce and Zoey as much as possible.  I don't think she will ever know how much those words or her actions that night helped me through one of the hardest days.  As we waited for the arrival of the plane Mom stayed right beside me.  Even after we got the news that I would be able to fly with the babies, Mom stayed beside me and waited to start the drive to Fargo until I was in the ambulance headed toward the plane.  Without hesitation she drove the five hours to Fargo at night to meet up with us and make sure Matt, Bryce, Zoey, and me were ok. 

During the next eleven weeks, Mom stayed with us and helped us through the trials of the flood, being away from home, and having babies in the NICU.  Mom was able to keep all the family updated so we could focus on the kids, be one of my biggest supporters as I struggled with breastfeeding, stay with me in Fargo while Matt had to work in Minot, and help us begin the rebuilding process on our home after the flood.  Even with all of this, Mom would tell you that she was just enjoying time with her grandbabies.

    
Mom continued to stay with us for a week and a half after Bryce and Zoey came home.  She helped us adjust to having them at home, stayed with them while I ran to the store for last minute things we forgot, helped with the first week of follow-up doctor's appointments, made sure I got plenty of sleep, and even got up for several middle-of-the-night feedings.  Having her with us made the transition so much easier!

Thankyou Mom (Mimi) for all the help, support, and love!  I don't know how we would have made it through the last three and a half months without your help.  We truly appreciate all you did (and continue to do) for us.  We can't wait to see you again in December!  We love you!
.katherine.

Zoey and Bryce come home

The tenth anniversary of the biggest attack on the United States marks another important date in our home...Zoey and Bryce's due date!  While we will never forget the day that changed so many lives, it is not a negative one anymore for us.  While we are excited that they are now fourty weeks gestitational age, I am actually holding Bryce while Zoey sleeps beside us at HOME!  Zoey and Bryce were discharged from Trinity Hospital on Wednesday, 7 September! 

In the days leading up to discharge both Bryce and Zoey made some quick changes.  On Saturday, 3 September, Zoey decided she was done with her feeding tube and pulled it out.  It isn't uncommon for babies to pull them out but Zoey has a history of pulling out tubes when she is ready.  She did very well without it and didn't need to have it replaced.  She also was taken off all her monitors on Saturday, which ment they were looking toward her going home.  Sunday was the babies 80th day in the NICU so we wanted to take some pictures of the two of them together.  As we were putting Bryce down, he decided to follow his sister's lead and pulled his out his feeding tube.  He also did great without it and was taken off all monitors as well.  The added bonus...we got pictures with TWO clean faces!!!

On Monday, Dr. Carver wanted to continue evualating Zoey and Bryce for two days without monitors and feeding tubes to make sure everything went well and they continued gaining weight but allowed us to begin rooming in!  Rooming in is when Matt and I stay at the hospital with the babies in our own room but the nurses continue to come by to check on them and are avaliable if we have problems or need help.  It is a great opportunity for parents and way to transition into taking full care of the kids!  We roomed in both Monday and Tuesday nights and everything went very well!

We also got the added bonus of getting a visit from Aunt Abbey!  It was her first time seeing the kids without the glass between them and her.

On Wednesday morning both Zoey and Bryce were discharged from the hospital!  Even though we didn't get much sleep the night before, both Matt and I were too excited to care.  We had one last exam from the doctor and said goodbye to all our nurses.  Twelve weeks or eight-four days after the muchkins were born we were finally taking them home!

When we got to the house the dogs were estatic to meet the babies.  We introduced them one at a time, first Lola then Oscar, and they did very well.  They weren't quite sure what to do when both kids started fussing but Lola would run between us and the baby (if we weren't holding them) and grunt to make sure we were paying attention.  She will make a perfect nanny!

After the dogs were introduced we took our first family photograph at our house!

Then we had to celebrate!  We got a great bottle of champaign for our wedding from my Aunt and Uncle which we had packed up for when we got to Minot.  However, we saved it for the next big event.  Since we couldn't have it when we found out we were pregnant we decided we would have it when our babies came home from the hospital.

The afternoon was spent enjoying having the kids at home and get some sleep.  Mimi enjoyed time with Bryce and Zoey while we caught up on sleep from the previous night.

That night some of our best friends brought us dinner!  Abbey, Eric, and Henrik also got to meet and spend time with the babies.  I think Bryce and Zoey were in someone's arms the entire night!  It was a great evening and a wonderful way to end a perfect day!

Thankyou to everyone for all the continued prayers and well wishes for Zoey and Bryce.  They have given us the extra boost to maintain our positive attitudes with the kids being in the NICU for so long.  Zoey and Bryce truly are our little miracles and we are so blessed to have them home with us.  "With God all things are possible."
.katherine.

transport back to minot

On Friday, August 12 the babies were transfered back to Trinity Hospital in Minot.

The days leading up to the transfer were bittersweet.  We were excited to make plans to return to Minot but sad to leave all the wonderful people we had met in Fargo.  We had spent fifty days in Fargo and had developed many friendships.

After a week of planning and preparation, we arrived at Sanford ready for the drive back to Minot on Friday morning.  It took us about an hour to get the kids evaluated, double check all the equipment, and get Bryce and Zoey into their isolette.  They were both in the same isolette, with butts touching, for the ride back to Minot.  They settled in nicely and we were ready to go.  

We left the hospital after saying a few more goodbyes, loaded the isolette into the ambulance, and hit the road.

Mom and I followed the ambulance in her car from Fargo back to Minot.  I had the option to ride in the ambulance but was told I would be much more comfortable in our car.  The kids did very well during the drive.  They slept the entire way and we had no issues. 

When we arrived at Trinity in Minot, Matt was waiting for us.  He was so excited to see us and have us all in the same place.  He didn't stop grinning once!

Bryce and Zoey were evaluated when they got to Trinity, had a few changes, but did very well settling back in.

The transfer went very well.  Both staffs did an amazing job at taking care of us and we are appreciative of all the work that was done to make it possible.  We are so thankful our family is all back in Minot and doing well!
.katherine.