It takes two

Where to start???

Well, we had a few visitors yesterday and once everyone left, there were still two babies here. It was so strange and surreal but I was loving every minute of it. I found myself yesterday grabbing my phone to call the NICU.  Sean and I both wish we had 3 hands, if that tells you anything. The boys are sleeping great during the day but not as good at night. I think it was 3am and Luke was a little fussy, so we just rocked and rocked and we snuggled. I closed my eyes and before I knew it it was 4:45am. The babies are doing great adjusting to their new home. They can nap anywhere and sleep through all sorts of different sounds. They had their first doctor appointment today and the pediatrician was really impressed with their growth and development as preemies.

All snuggled up

Sean and I make a great team! We switch off feeding at night so the other can sleep. We're a little tired but we wouldn't have it any other way. What Joy!

Home Sweet Home

Sean made three trips to the car and he looked like this each time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet little Luke

Cute little Carter

Home at last!

Each month we'll take a picture with their pillow to show how much they've grown.

Their LAST NIGHT: NICU Day 89

Can you believe it?? We made it!

We made it through eighty-nine days of the NICU roller coaster. We are finally done visiting our newborn sons and we can finally be together as a family. I'm proud to say that We Are Okay. I didn't think I would ever say that as this journey seemed to last a lifetime. God has watched over us through this entire experience. What would we do without him by our side? He has worked miracles, he has healed our babies, and he has comforted us through it all. I cannot imagine how much joy he will bring to our lives in the next few days. We finally get to be a normal family living in our own home tomorrow. We are extremely excited to bring the boys home as healthy little babies. Luke is now over seven pounds and Carter is almost weighing eight pounds. Tonight, we will stay at the hospital and the babies will be with us in the room. They will not have anything attached to them tonight as that is the way they will be coming home. Yes, you read that correct. All the worries we had about bringing them home on oxygen and a nasal cannula is out the window! The boys will sleep tonight with no monitors, no tubes, no wires and there will be nothing helping them breathe. We no longer have to hop over chords and IV poles. We get to take home two healthy little babies. We cannot wait to hold, kiss and love on them unconditionally. Did I mention Hold? Yes, I don't think I will put either of them down. Sean will have to fight me for a baby. Tears of Joy! This is the best feeling in the world! Hallelujah.

From the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate the help, support, prayers, cards, gifts and all of the kind words you have all sent our way. We have had so much support through this roller coaster and we probably could not have done it without all of the specials prayers. As of today, we've had over 11,000 views on our blog so Thank You, Thank You for following our journey. We will continue to update the blog of Carter and Luke's progress as they continue to grow.

Much Love,
The Coffey's

The boys.

The nursery at home is all ready for their arrival.

Thanks Aunt Angie!!

Ummmmm lady! NICU day 87

The nurse fed the boys tonight around the time we always come so we weren't too happy when she told us to just come at their next feeding, 11pm. Ummmmmmm lady, we work in the morning! (If you can tell, we didn't know this nurse) So, we didn't get to see the babies tonight. I guess, we'll take advantage of this time and get in bed before 9pm. This may be the last we Ever do get to do this.

The boys are doing good. No bradies and both passed their car seat test. We're getting really anxious around here. 

We got the second bedding set today from Carter and Luke's Bunco Aunts!! Thank you, Thank you! The nursery will be complete as soon as I do the wash. ohhhh Lisa!!!!????

Look at our faces! NICU Day 85

NO MORE CANNULA, OG TUBES OR OXYGEN!!!!

Sean took these last night and I am still trying to figure out who is who. Luke always has a little wrinkle in his forehead but I'm not seeing a wrinkle anywhere. My luck, this is the same baby. Okay, Sean...who is who??

Today: They got circumsized this morning and both did really well. Luke took almost 3oz today during his feeding and Carter is now taking just under 4oz.

Yesterday was not the best day...today will be better. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts. They are doing great and I am thanking God for it every minute!

tired of crying

and just plain tired of doing "this."

I don't wanna have to call and see how they're doing.

I don't wanna plan my evening around when they wake up.

I don't wanna eat fast food anymore.

I don't wanna wake up each night worrying about them.

I don't wanna think about them being There and us Here.

I don't wanna DRIVE to see my babies!

I don't wanna cry anymore.

I'm so tired of all "this!" Just, plain. tired.

I have no motivation at school, my attitude is changing and I'm just not happy. Ninety some days in the NICU, why is this happening to us? I was doing great carrying the boys. What happened? Was this really God's plan? What went wrong? H o n e s t l y, I don't think we will ever. know. why.

I want to be tired from holding them. And taking care of them. I want to feel like a real mom. I want our family to be a family. We don't want this anymore!

The anticipation:NICU Day 84

The boys did not have any bradies last night and are sleeping right now. The nurse will feed them around 9-9:30 depending on when they wake up. (They have been doing pretty good with the 4 hour schedule.) The doctors will be evaluating in a couple of hours and we're suppose to call back around 1 or 2pm for an update.

I cannot even think straight. I'm unsure of what's going to happen today. I've prayed all morning that the babies are healthy enough to f i n a l l y come home. The waiting hurts..

Will update in a few hours..

Carter had a brady right after Sean called this morning so this adds A N O T H E R five long and dreadful days. Luke is doing great breathing at 21%. When he wakes up, the nurse is going to take his cannula off and see how he does without it. The tentative plan is to Room In at the hospital on Saturday and bring the babies home on Sunday.

This is longer than we had planned but as you can tell, they need more time. We have been so incredibly patient and to wait another week just eats me alive. I just want to hold my babies! Do I sound like a child?? Think about the last time you wanted something so bad and you just couldn't have it. Only replace it with your brand new little baby.

Hmf! :NICU day 83

Today I got to nurse the babies..no, not at the same time. =)
Carter did pretty good and Luke did okay.  Our nurse knew we were coming at 2pm to meet the lactation specialist but she gave them bottles at 12 so they weren't very hungry. Hmf!

 

They were so content when holding them today. It was really hard putting them back and leaving. We're getting so close to bringing them home so it makes it that much harder.

As of today, there are no changes. We will know more tomorrow after the doctor reevaluates.

Add 5 - NICU Day 82

Last night both Carter and Luke had a Brady. This means the count-down starts over again. The soonest they could come home now is Wednesday.  

Carter weighs 7 pounds 1 ounce
Luke weighs 6 pounds 11 ounces

Not Tom Brady: NICU Day 80

..a bradycardia. The ONE thing you don't want to happen right before going home.

Bradycardia=5 extra days.

Carter had a bradycardia last night while I was holding him. What can I say? He just got sooo comfortable. He is doing fine. Brady's can happen while drinking, burping, sleeping or passing a stool. We weren't expecting them home on Monday quite yet anyway so we aren't too bummed, but you can see how upsetting it could be. They want us to stay in the Overnight Room in the NICU for two nights before we take them home so I'm not sure just yet when we'll do that. My guess, we'll stay at the hospital Monday and Tuesday night and hopefully take them home Wednesday or Thursday. Luke could possibly stay a day or two longer if he doesn't do well when they take him off the oxygen. Everything is up in the air right now and it can change any day. They will reevaluate both boys on Monday and we'll know more details then. Stay tuned....

I went camera crazy last night with Carter !!

Aren't babies soooooooo cute when they sleep?

As of today @ 1pm. Luke is now on .1 liter on his flow!! Woooooohooo!