Life is Beautiful!

It is such a great feeling to be overwhelmed with such love for these little boys! Evan and Joel continue to do well in the NICU. They were moved to a different "pod" (yes, that is really what it is called; ironic, isn't it?) and I was told it was a graduation for them, so apparently this one is for the healthier NICU babies. For those wondering, last week's youngest in NICU was 22 weeks old. Most of the others were around 28 or so weeks. So compared to everyone else, our boys looked amazingly healthy, big and strong. I think that took a lot of the fear away that we otherwise might have felt. Plus, we know the boys are in excellent hands.

I came home from the hospital Monday evening. It has been terribly difficult to cope with leaving them behind. I'm not so depressed with the fact that they are still in the hospital; I'm upset that I am not there with them. I am very tempted to start staying in the NICU area myself each day and night (they have a "living area" set up for NICU families; no bed, but furniture, bathroom, shower, computer, and phone.) However, I know it would be difficult, as there is a lot to take care of at home. Last night the nurse explained to me that it may be possible to get the boys transferred to our local hospital, though, so I am looking into that today. (The hospital they were originally to be delivered at is about 20 minutes away; LGH is well over an hour, sometimes nearly two.) This would make visiting the boys SO much easier, so hopefully the insurance will approve the transport. We don't expect them to be in the hospital a whole lot longer, but it may still be a couple weeks before they are eating consistently enough to come home. So pray that we can get them moved! (The local hospital is also a fantastic place, so we know the level of care would equal that which they are already receiving.)

Our days now consist of Todd going to work, leaving as soon as he can, picking me up, and us rushing off to the hospital until about 9:30 at night. We get home around 11:00 or so. So please do not be offended if we are not on top of answering calls, returning messages, etc. I am confined to my top floor for the next four weeks, so I spend most of the day in bed trying to heal (which I am, quite nicely actually).

Oh yeah, Janice and her side of the family bought us a video camera as a baby gift. I am THRILLED at the idea of being able to video our boys. It's something that I have wanted for years (Todd says I used to say I wanted one to video the dogs), so finally having one is the absolute greatest! I think tonight we will start testing it out. Joel and Evan will be so proud to be able to look back on footage of their poopy diapers and loud tantrums. (Yes, they do throw tantrums-- I've heard the nurses mention their temperments on more than one occasion!)

I just can't wait to bring the little buggers home!