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.
LOVE this post!!!!!! So happy :))) Can't wait to come meet them myself..hoping it all works out! But I love the blog, the fb pictures, all your efforts to keep us updated. I am already hopelessly in love with Bryce and Zoey <3 ADORABLE!!!
ReplyDeletelove,
Aunt Nancy