It's so wonderful to have these babies home with us. Back to schoolwork, music practice and chores! The kids might wish we could go back to Utah and wait some more for ICPC to clear us to come to Colorado!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Home Sweet Home
Monday, February 24, 2014
Homeward bound!
We waited all day long. We were told that 4 was the latest we could hear clearance to head home. We heard they were working on it and there was a chance we could go home. With hopes up we kept anxiously waiting! We had to get paperwork at the agency before we could leave. The agency suggested we have someone wait at the agency as it was getting close to 4. Dave drove over and sat there and waited. The agency is supposed to close but they waited a few minutes. Dave was about to head out and get himself a rental car to drive home without us since he needs to work tomorrow. Just then the phone rang and Linda threw her hand up high in the air to show the huge victory! Yay! The timing was so perfect and just in time! We had a wonderful two weeks in Utah but we were both feeling so anxious to take our family home. We piled into the car and are heading home! It was fitting that as we drove off I saw a flock of 7 birds flying in the sky.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Happy and Waiting
I can't explain how wonderful it was to leave the hospital and finally feel like we were the parents of these babies! In the NICU you have to follow a strict schedule and it seems that you practically have to ask permission to pick up your baby! Even though both babies had a weight gain (the thing that HAD to happen before we could leave) I was nervous that somehow that doctor would find some reason to keep them in the NICU just one more day. I was thrilled when the doctor came in and gave her final ok. I got the girls in the matching outfits we bought for them to leave the hospital and took a few pictures. Then we were off.
Surprisingly, I wasn't as emotional as I thought I would be all week. Well, I had plenty of emotions but there weren't many tears. The only way I can think to describe it is that my joy surpassed the level of crying happy tears. I was so happy I could hardly contain it inside! The nurses helped me get the babies into the car and closed the car doors. Then the flood of emotion came, but this time they were tears of gratitude. I sobbed by myself as I drove. I just couldn't believe that we were given such amazing miracles and blessings from Heavenly Father. I felt so thankful. So, so thankful.
Dave's wonderful aunt and uncle have been so good to us while we have been here. They had our room all ready with baby supplies and have been so helpful to us! Since Dave and the kids were arriving late that night, I was especially thankful to have help from Dave's aunt and cousins. I had lots to unpack and get all ready for taking care of the babies without the NICU nurses!
It's been heavenly to hold them without monitors attached and to feed them without calling out numbers to the nurses of how many milliliters they drank. They are so good natured. I realize that some of that may be due to their young age and one of these days they might wake up and start fussing! When they are awake, they love to look around and seem to be soaking it all in. They drift off to sleep without a sound. They have even been wonderful at night. I was so happy to be able to figure out tandem nursing (not my doing, they seem to be natural nursers). In the night I nurse them at the same time, then Dave changes them and gets the bottles warmed and then we each feed a baby the rest of their milk via bottle. We wrap them up and they fall back to sleep all snuggled together. Of course we're tired from waking up every 3 hours but so far the nights have gone so well.
Ash, Sadie and Nate have been wonderful helpers. They beg to change diapers. You bet! Although, they are so cute even when changing diapers so I don't think any of us mind that job. I knew how much Ashlyn and Sadie would want to be involved with the babies but I'm tickled at how much Nate loves to hold them and admire them. He is so careful when he changes their diapers. It's sure fun to watch.
As much as I wanted to leave the hospital, it was a wonderful week to be able to spend with the babies and no other distractions. I realize that it was a special time for me to have them all to myself. Even though I have to share the babies now that we're out of the hospital, I have been thankful for this time to be able to enjoy them as a family without all of my other duties as a mom. No schoolwork (well, Ash did bring a little), music practice, chores, making meals, etc. Our days revolve around adoring these precious little miracles.
Most of my friends and family know how many years I have longed for more babies. I'm not sure most people know to what extent I have longed for more children. Many, many times I tried to stifle those feelings because I didn't think there was much I could do to change my situation. Sure, we were trying to adopt but it's no guarantee. So many times I wished I could just feel content with my situation and move on with life. One day this week, I realized that the longing feeling was completely gone. Finally, finally I feel like our family is complete. All of those nights I cried myself to sleep because the pain seemed too much to bear, was for a reason. Those feelings were what we needed to get Anna and Audrey in our family. Adoption is a very difficult road and I don't think we could have endured it without a strong, intense desire to grow our family. I cry every time I think about how I tried to get rid of my feelings because they were too painful. And now I'm so thankful that I had those feelings because they brought me my babies. It's like a huge burden has been lifted and it's a wonderful feeling. I smile every night when I pray for my children...and I have seven names to pray for (we always pray for our babies in heaven).
Dave has to go home tomorrow night. We are sure hoping we get clearance from Colorado to go home with Dave!
Surprisingly, I wasn't as emotional as I thought I would be all week. Well, I had plenty of emotions but there weren't many tears. The only way I can think to describe it is that my joy surpassed the level of crying happy tears. I was so happy I could hardly contain it inside! The nurses helped me get the babies into the car and closed the car doors. Then the flood of emotion came, but this time they were tears of gratitude. I sobbed by myself as I drove. I just couldn't believe that we were given such amazing miracles and blessings from Heavenly Father. I felt so thankful. So, so thankful.
Dave's wonderful aunt and uncle have been so good to us while we have been here. They had our room all ready with baby supplies and have been so helpful to us! Since Dave and the kids were arriving late that night, I was especially thankful to have help from Dave's aunt and cousins. I had lots to unpack and get all ready for taking care of the babies without the NICU nurses!
It's been heavenly to hold them without monitors attached and to feed them without calling out numbers to the nurses of how many milliliters they drank. They are so good natured. I realize that some of that may be due to their young age and one of these days they might wake up and start fussing! When they are awake, they love to look around and seem to be soaking it all in. They drift off to sleep without a sound. They have even been wonderful at night. I was so happy to be able to figure out tandem nursing (not my doing, they seem to be natural nursers). In the night I nurse them at the same time, then Dave changes them and gets the bottles warmed and then we each feed a baby the rest of their milk via bottle. We wrap them up and they fall back to sleep all snuggled together. Of course we're tired from waking up every 3 hours but so far the nights have gone so well.
Ash, Sadie and Nate have been wonderful helpers. They beg to change diapers. You bet! Although, they are so cute even when changing diapers so I don't think any of us mind that job. I knew how much Ashlyn and Sadie would want to be involved with the babies but I'm tickled at how much Nate loves to hold them and admire them. He is so careful when he changes their diapers. It's sure fun to watch.
As much as I wanted to leave the hospital, it was a wonderful week to be able to spend with the babies and no other distractions. I realize that it was a special time for me to have them all to myself. Even though I have to share the babies now that we're out of the hospital, I have been thankful for this time to be able to enjoy them as a family without all of my other duties as a mom. No schoolwork (well, Ash did bring a little), music practice, chores, making meals, etc. Our days revolve around adoring these precious little miracles.
Most of my friends and family know how many years I have longed for more babies. I'm not sure most people know to what extent I have longed for more children. Many, many times I tried to stifle those feelings because I didn't think there was much I could do to change my situation. Sure, we were trying to adopt but it's no guarantee. So many times I wished I could just feel content with my situation and move on with life. One day this week, I realized that the longing feeling was completely gone. Finally, finally I feel like our family is complete. All of those nights I cried myself to sleep because the pain seemed too much to bear, was for a reason. Those feelings were what we needed to get Anna and Audrey in our family. Adoption is a very difficult road and I don't think we could have endured it without a strong, intense desire to grow our family. I cry every time I think about how I tried to get rid of my feelings because they were too painful. And now I'm so thankful that I had those feelings because they brought me my babies. It's like a huge burden has been lifted and it's a wonderful feeling. I smile every night when I pray for my children...and I have seven names to pray for (we always pray for our babies in heaven).
Dave has to go home tomorrow night. We are sure hoping we get clearance from Colorado to go home with Dave!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Leaving the NICU!!!
Melissa, Anna and Audrey left the NICU! Now the timeline starts for "ICPC". Utah submits paperwork to Colorado for approval before we can leave the state. We've heard that it can take as little as 2 days and as much as 10 days to complete. We are hoping for 2 days!
I don't know if these car seats are big enough for them though :)
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Family Apart
This is Dave posting…
Sadly, I had to get back to "real life" today. I took Ash, Sadie and Nate and we made the trip back to Colorado. We had some very bad weather in Wyoming and hit a white-out snow storm with about 2 yards of visibility. Happily, we made it home safely. We all really miss Meliss and the babies. We plan to drive back to Utah Thursday night.
We had a really nice time this morning before we left. We all got to take turns holding Anna and Audrey. They are starting to gain a little weight (very little…they are not exactly tanks) which is great because that is their main roadblock from leaving the NICU. The doctor is tentatively planning on Wednesday to leave the hospital. Then we start the ICPC process to get Utah and Colorado approval to bring them home to Colorado.
Many blessings all along the way.
Sadly, I had to get back to "real life" today. I took Ash, Sadie and Nate and we made the trip back to Colorado. We had some very bad weather in Wyoming and hit a white-out snow storm with about 2 yards of visibility. Happily, we made it home safely. We all really miss Meliss and the babies. We plan to drive back to Utah Thursday night.
We had a really nice time this morning before we left. We all got to take turns holding Anna and Audrey. They are starting to gain a little weight (very little…they are not exactly tanks) which is great because that is their main roadblock from leaving the NICU. The doctor is tentatively planning on Wednesday to leave the hospital. Then we start the ICPC process to get Utah and Colorado approval to bring them home to Colorado.
Many blessings all along the way.
We love watching them together
I'm mad I didn't have a picture of Melissa and babies from today!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Finally a family photo
Today was another wonderful day. Anna and Audrey are doing so well. They are eating well, sleeping well, going to the bathroom well, and they are doing well at being so darling. I can't get enough of them. The only thing we are waiting on is some weight gain. I imagine that will come soon as they are eating well and already acting a bit older. Today both girls had quite a while of awake time and that was the most they have been awake since their birthday. :)
Three huge highlights of the day.
First - Ash, Sadie and Nate were able to spend a long time with the babies this morning. They got to help feed them and give lots of snuggles. It felt like we needed three babies to pass around with how much everyone wanted to be with each baby. I was thankful we had two to share! Nate surprised me the most. At one point, while holding Anna he said "I love them a lot more than I thought I would." He was so tender with Anna and Audrey. He so carefully fed, burped, snuggled and kissed the babies. Ash and Sadie's hearts were melting as they met their two baby sisters. They had to wait a long time to hold them and they were so excited the day finally came. It was so fun to take our first family picture.
Ash, Sadie and Nate got to play with their good friends from Missouri (who have since moved to Utah). They spent all day with them, and Dave and I spent all day with Anna and Audrey. After their afternoon feeding we held them and all took naps while we snuggled. It was so relaxing and just heavenly to rest with a baby snuggled up tight. I realize that one of these days I will have to go back to real life and try to juggle all aspects of life and motherhood but for now I'm soaking up the days of holding and feeding babies.
The third highlight came at the very end of the day. After their 7:00 feeding tonight, both girls were wide awake. Dave and I were tucking them back in their little cribs because it was time for us to go get the older kids. Suddenly they were both super wide awake. I couldn't stand to leave with them being so alert - when typically they are sooooo sleepy. We played with them and loved watching them look around, move around and be so alert. It was so much fun. Our nurse got a couple other nurses to come in and peek at the babies because they just looked so adorable. One nurse suggested we put them together while they were so awake. So we did. My heart could hardly contain the joy as I watched them interact. Audrey is especially snuggly and any time we put them together (which has only been a few times) she puts her leg over Anna's leg. Tonight was no exception. At one point Audrey had both legs wrapped around Anna's leg. Audrey was sort of leaning in to Anna and the look on her face was so content. It was so obvious she was so happy just being so close to her sister. It was as if she wanted to freeze and stay put so she could be so close to her sis. They held hands a few times, wiggled around and molded together. It was so apparent how comfortable they are together and how much they already love each other. It made me so happy to watch. We took so many pictures and video and enjoyed them for quite a while until we really had to go! I can't wait til they can sleep together all the time.
Today the doc guessed they would be ready to go mid next week. We shall see!
Dave and the kids are heading back to CO tomorrow so Dave can work a few days and then they'll come back. The hospital is giving me a room so I can stay overnight and feed them throughout the night as well. It's gonna be wild without Dave at my side to help with the babies. We make a good team and I will miss him so much!
Three huge highlights of the day.
First - Ash, Sadie and Nate were able to spend a long time with the babies this morning. They got to help feed them and give lots of snuggles. It felt like we needed three babies to pass around with how much everyone wanted to be with each baby. I was thankful we had two to share! Nate surprised me the most. At one point, while holding Anna he said "I love them a lot more than I thought I would." He was so tender with Anna and Audrey. He so carefully fed, burped, snuggled and kissed the babies. Ash and Sadie's hearts were melting as they met their two baby sisters. They had to wait a long time to hold them and they were so excited the day finally came. It was so fun to take our first family picture.
Ash, Sadie and Nate got to play with their good friends from Missouri (who have since moved to Utah). They spent all day with them, and Dave and I spent all day with Anna and Audrey. After their afternoon feeding we held them and all took naps while we snuggled. It was so relaxing and just heavenly to rest with a baby snuggled up tight. I realize that one of these days I will have to go back to real life and try to juggle all aspects of life and motherhood but for now I'm soaking up the days of holding and feeding babies.
The third highlight came at the very end of the day. After their 7:00 feeding tonight, both girls were wide awake. Dave and I were tucking them back in their little cribs because it was time for us to go get the older kids. Suddenly they were both super wide awake. I couldn't stand to leave with them being so alert - when typically they are sooooo sleepy. We played with them and loved watching them look around, move around and be so alert. It was so much fun. Our nurse got a couple other nurses to come in and peek at the babies because they just looked so adorable. One nurse suggested we put them together while they were so awake. So we did. My heart could hardly contain the joy as I watched them interact. Audrey is especially snuggly and any time we put them together (which has only been a few times) she puts her leg over Anna's leg. Tonight was no exception. At one point Audrey had both legs wrapped around Anna's leg. Audrey was sort of leaning in to Anna and the look on her face was so content. It was so obvious she was so happy just being so close to her sister. It was as if she wanted to freeze and stay put so she could be so close to her sis. They held hands a few times, wiggled around and molded together. It was so apparent how comfortable they are together and how much they already love each other. It made me so happy to watch. We took so many pictures and video and enjoyed them for quite a while until we really had to go! I can't wait til they can sleep together all the time.
Today the doc guessed they would be ready to go mid next week. We shall see!
Dave and the kids are heading back to CO tomorrow so Dave can work a few days and then they'll come back. The hospital is giving me a room so I can stay overnight and feed them throughout the night as well. It's gonna be wild without Dave at my side to help with the babies. We make a good team and I will miss him so much!
This is Anna
This is Audrey
Audrey
Anna
Audrey is always quick to wrap her legs around Anna's legs
Napping together
They actually match poses quite often
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