Finally, after what has seemed like an eternity, our baby girls were released on Thursday February 25th. That date alone has proven to be my lucky day in so many ways already. On February 25, 2004, I closed on the purchase of my new home in Phoenix; on February 25, 2005, I met the man who would become my loving husband; and on February 25, 2010, my precious girls came home from the hospital with us. We are so blessed, and happy.
We have settled in--or better said--they have settled into their routine very well, and although we are tired, we have managed to sneak in naps throughout the day and are getting pretty good at taking care of them together. It is only Day 3 of their time with us, and we've already gotten them on a 3 - 4 hour feeding schedule. They also love sleeping in their slings when we are busy with other chores around the house.
They love us, and each other, so much. You can see it in their eyes. When they sleep next to each other, it's so precious. They stare at each other dreamily at times, and it's just the sweetest thing.
We will post pictures soon. I know everyone is dying to see them already. Thanks again for helping us through this long journey, and we look forward to sharing many sweet moments with you in the future.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Valentine's Day {Zoë and Eva at 8 weeks}
Valentine's Day this year was especially nice for us. We went to the Mission in Old Town Scottsdale for a delicious brunch, and then went to see 'Valentine's Day' at a matinee showing. As nice as those experiences were, though, they were not the highlights of our day.
The best part of our day was visiting with Eva and Zoë. They started Eva on bottle feeds during our visit. She really took to it quickly, and was able to finish half of her full feed during her first feeding session. We are so happy and proud! She is going to be a fast learner, it seems. Zoë will follow, soon enough. They expect her to start bottle feeding by Friday. In the beginning, they will feed from a bottle once a day, and then gradually move to once every twelve hours, and eventually build up to taking every feed through a bottle. Once they can feed from the bottle exclusively, they will be ready to come home. During this process, I will also have them experiment with breastfeeding, but I can work on that more once we bring them home. As they progress, we are just happy to know they are getting closer to being released.
Another big event was that they are now co-bedding. They were moved to a crib, together, on Sunday evening. Last night (Tuesday 2/16) when we visited them, they were finally together again. We carried them each for a while, and when we put them back in their crib, it was so heart-warming to see them look at each other in such a peaceful manner. We are sure they have missed each other so much...
Our baby girls arenine eight weeks old today, Wednesday February 17th.
The best part of our day was visiting with Eva and Zoë. They started Eva on bottle feeds during our visit. She really took to it quickly, and was able to finish half of her full feed during her first feeding session. We are so happy and proud! She is going to be a fast learner, it seems. Zoë will follow, soon enough. They expect her to start bottle feeding by Friday. In the beginning, they will feed from a bottle once a day, and then gradually move to once every twelve hours, and eventually build up to taking every feed through a bottle. Once they can feed from the bottle exclusively, they will be ready to come home. During this process, I will also have them experiment with breastfeeding, but I can work on that more once we bring them home. As they progress, we are just happy to know they are getting closer to being released.
Another big event was that they are now co-bedding. They were moved to a crib, together, on Sunday evening. Last night (Tuesday 2/16) when we visited them, they were finally together again. We carried them each for a while, and when we put them back in their crib, it was so heart-warming to see them look at each other in such a peaceful manner. We are sure they have missed each other so much...
Our baby girls are
Thursday, February 11, 2010
You make my heart smile {Zoë and Eva at 50 Days}
Today, Eva and Zoë are 50 days old. It seems only yesterday I was admitted to the hospital, due to complications in my pregnancy. I remember being so scared and thinking we might not even make it past the first night. Patience and prayers got us through it all, as well as support from our dear friends and family.
The past seven weeks have been full of all sorts of emotions. We feel such joy when we visit our precious girls, anxiety with each update from their doctors, and such emptiness when we are sitting in such a quiet home. Everyone says to enjoy this time while we can, because soon we won't have any free time anymore, but we'd give anything to simply have them home with us, and hearing their little cries will be music to our ears.
Now that I am driving again, I visit Zoë and Eva nearly every day, for hours on end. Whether I'm changing their diapers, taking their temperature, holding them in my arms, or simply enjoying their tiny grasp on my fingers, I always feel such love for them. Their tiny presence has changed my life forever, and every day I'm grateful for the tiny steps they've taken to bring them one step closer to coming home with us.
They are strong little fighters, and are such happy babies despite everything they've been through, both during my pregnancy and in the NICU. It's unbelievable how calm and mellow they are, even when the NICU seems to be a sea of chaos full of screaming babies. When we visit them, nothing else exists but our perfect little family of four.
That's why today as I reflect, all that comes to mind is "You make my heart smile". This is dedicated not only to my two precious angels, Zoë Elyse and Eva Grace, but also to my loving and, always supportive, husband, Victor.
The past seven weeks have been full of all sorts of emotions. We feel such joy when we visit our precious girls, anxiety with each update from their doctors, and such emptiness when we are sitting in such a quiet home. Everyone says to enjoy this time while we can, because soon we won't have any free time anymore, but we'd give anything to simply have them home with us, and hearing their little cries will be music to our ears.
Now that I am driving again, I visit Zoë and Eva nearly every day, for hours on end. Whether I'm changing their diapers, taking their temperature, holding them in my arms, or simply enjoying their tiny grasp on my fingers, I always feel such love for them. Their tiny presence has changed my life forever, and every day I'm grateful for the tiny steps they've taken to bring them one step closer to coming home with us.
They are strong little fighters, and are such happy babies despite everything they've been through, both during my pregnancy and in the NICU. It's unbelievable how calm and mellow they are, even when the NICU seems to be a sea of chaos full of screaming babies. When we visit them, nothing else exists but our perfect little family of four.
That's why today as I reflect, all that comes to mind is "You make my heart smile". This is dedicated not only to my two precious angels, Zoë Elyse and Eva Grace, but also to my loving and, always supportive, husband, Victor.
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