Charli's 18th and Last Day

Baby girl got to come home today!!!

Yesterday we went in at her 8am feeding and yes she ripped her tube out of her nose. I said that was a sign that she was wanting to come home. The nurse said if she drank all her bottles that she wouldn't put it back in. I told PV that if I came in at 8am today and that tube was back in for him to just be prepared when he came in after me that I would be sitting there crying.

The nurse didn't say anything to us at the 8am about her coming home. We asked when the doctor would be around and she said between 10-11am. I told her I would be back for the 11am feeding, however, if I missed the doctor to please have him call me. I needed a date as to when he thought Charli might be coming home. Got there at 11am to feed her (P.V was at work). I sat down to feed her and the nurse came in with an envelope and said 'ok we have her discharge papers ready'. It took all I could do not to scream! I finished feeding her as quick as she would take it, put her back in her bed and told her I was going to call daddy to come get us. Daddy came, we ran out of that hospital and off to get the boys. We got them out of school early so they can see, hold, and spend some time with her. We promised them from the day we found out we were having a baby that they would hold her before anyone else and fortunately we were able to keep that promise even though they couldn't see her for 18 days. The blue funk is gone and happy family time in on!

Charli's Day 11 and sick fellas

Today is Charli's day 11 of being in the hospital. No change really just doing a little better each day. She is gaining weight and keeping her eyes open a little longer. My little fellas are sick today. My wonderful husband got up and took them to the doctor (telling me to stay at home and rest). The doctor said they didn't have the flu but some of the first signs so since we have a baby in the NICU he would go ahead and give them both TamaFlu. We started their medicine today - please lord let them feel better. I hate to have sick babies!

Charli's Day 8 in NICU

It has been a crazy week but today is a pretty good day. Little monkey is still in the hospital but pulling strong. She drank her whole bottle today, hopefully she will continue all day. The boys got up good and early today. I wish them a good day at school. It is getting kinda old doing the same routing over and over again: Get up, get the boys ready, we head to the hospital separately - PV takes the boys and meets me. We have to be there at 8am so since he has to take them I go ahead so that we are on time and they don't feed her without us. Then come home try to clean and straighten up but still a little sore and get worn out fast. Take a nap because I am sooo tired. Then back to the hospital at 2pm (PV meets me). If it's our day to pick the boys up then we pick them up and go back at 5pm. Sometimes we both go at 8pm and sometimes we have to split time. Cason is in baseball which is Monday & Saturday and sometimes another day if we are rained out. Tyler is in football which is Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday and sometimes another day if rained out or days switched. Time is precious right now and our everyday life is a little hectic but its ours and we are fortunate for the things we have so we will pull through and look forward to some family time when sports are done and baby girl is home.

Hospital Day 13 - Last day for me :(

Today is my day to go home. Most would be happy about this but its just not the right way when you get released and your baby has to stay....Thank you for such a wonderful husband that is understanding and picks up my pieces when I let them fall. It will be great to be able to sleep in my own bed with my husband beside me. I can not wait to wrap my arms around my boys and be able to sit and watch TV with them! I know they will be sad that their little sister cant come home with me. We have to remember that each day she is in there she is just getting stronger for us so we can adore, love, and play with her when she comes home. Charli is doing every good and staying strong. She just isn't a little piggy yet so she is only drinking about 3 times a day and we have to get her up to 8 times a day before she can come home. Drink up Charli!

Hospital Day 10 - Charlis Arrival

Our precious little Charli is here. She made a dramatic entrance but she is doing great! Charli was 4lbs 6oz and 17in long. We had to have an emergency C-section, which was probably the 2nd most horrific thing I have went through in my life, but it was much needed as her cord was wrapped around her. She was born at 8:39am and moved to her penthouse suite in the NICU. Daddy has went to see her, as I can not walk yet, and says she is doing great. She is beautiful and I cant wait to hold her.

Add on: Got to see baby girl. She is so tiny but so strong. She is drinking 13cc but has a feeding tube to insure she gets all of her milk. Her lungs are strong! Now just a waiting game to see how well she eats and when we get to bring her home.

Hospital Day 8

Update from the hospital room: I think I have tried everything on the menu. My favorite combination meal, and yes I mean at one sitting, is probably what I had for lunch today. I had vegetable Stir Fry, mashed potatoes with gravy, mac and cheese, dinner roll, and sweet tea. Yes, of course I had dessert - chocolate cake..yum! I have now switched rooms 2 times. I think you get downgraded the longer you are here. I have went from a huge room with a flat screen tv to a linen closet with a turn knob tv. Yikes! I have even resorted to dressing up the monkey that my group sent me from work. It came on a flower basket and looked lonely so I dressed him up and put Charli's baby hat and receiving blanket on him. I mean, she's not here yet so gotta practice..haha. I would like to take a minute to say thank you to ALL of the family and friends that have been here for my fellas and myself during all this time. Sometimes you have things that come up unexpected but you ALWAYS have those people you can count on. Its great to be able to pick up the phone and say 'hey we need your help' and you know they want to be there for you. You all know who you are. We couldn't do it without all of you, thank you and we love each of you!!!

Hospital Day 6

Got to see my fella's today. I felt like I was getting married or something. That feel of excitement and I think the feeling of 'cold feet' was the sadness that I will have to tell them goodbye until another day. It was great, P.V came upstairs and got me in the wheelchair and when the elevator door opened downstairs they were standing there with a flower waiting on me. Yes, I teared up. I don't think I have ever went 5 days without seeing them :( I got to visit for about an hour..talked about school, sports, girls, and of course they wanted to know how my room, food, etc. at the hospital was. The best feeling was all the love I got and it gave me that 2nd wind to stay strong. Love my fellas.

Hospital Day 5

Just met the best Doctor ever!!! Thank you Dr. Alt for such GREAT news. Baby Charli is still lovin her current atmosphere but I get to take the monitors off from 24 hrs a day to just twice a day for an hour each. Most of all, I can go downstairs and see my boys tomorrow!!! Oh I am soo excited and can't wait!

The second best part of the day is my wonderful husband is going to get us sushi and hibachi shrimp, along with a movie so we can have 'Date night' at the hospital. So sweet! Yes, I am lucky.

The 3rd best thing about today is it's game day and I have my Clemson socks on. Push through that rain today - GO TIGERS!!!

Hospital Day 3

Two days without seeing the boys and no baby girl yet. My good friend Angi had a wonderful idea of talking to the boys on Skype webcam, so guess what...we hooked it up. She was kind enough to bring me her laptop and P.V went and bought a webcam for our house and hooked it up. It's not holding them but it's the next best thing :)

As far as little Charli, she is still hanging on. A few contractions here and there but nothing too alarming. Still on standby to be induced on 9/24/09 if she doesn't make her appearance before hand.

Hospital Day 1

Unexpectedly, I was admitted to the hospital today. I had my regular scheduled 32 week appointment at Highlands for 2:30. To make a long story short, my water broke at work right before I left and when I arrived at the Dr, they checked me and told me to go admit myself. Crazy. I knew P.V was either in the car line or on the way home. When I called he proceeded to tell me a funny story about the boys, I let him, and then ended with 'um, my water broke and I have to go admit myself''. His response, 'your kidding, what do I do'. Love him! I was 32.5 weeks so it was very unexpected for both of us. They admitted me and told me it was basically a waiting game. If she didn't come on her own they would hold me off until 34 weeks, which is 9/24/09. Either way they were sure she would be strong enough but might have to go into NICU (special care unit) for a couple of weeks. The most heartbreaking part of the day was when they told me children were not allowed upstairs. Not sure when I will see the boys again :(