Of course, this progress leads to the inevitable question of when the babies will be able to come home. According to the nurses, each baby first has to be weaned from his or her isolette (incubator). This is accomplished gradually, by first dressing the babies in clothes (check), then adding a blanket (check), and then turning down the temperature in their isolettes over the course of several days. Once it is determined that the babies can maintain their temperatures without help, they will be moved to open cribs (and that will be our cue that a homecoming is imminent). The babies must also be either bottle or breastfeeding at all feeds (right now they still have feeding tubes in their noses, which are used to fill their bellies when they are too tired to suck), be gaining weight, have no apnea (which none of them have, anyway), and pass a car-seat test (that is, be able to sit up in a car seat for the length of their trip home without experiencing any dips in heart or respiration rates).
Based on this info, I would bet that our boys will be the first to leave the NICU (no wimpy white boy syndrome here—I guess it pays for their mommy to be half Peruvian!), and the girls won't be far behind. Although the prospect of being in charge of these four tiny beings is admittedly scary, we are looking forward to settling into life as a family. For now, though, we must be content with precious moments like these in the NICU today:
Ted holding Isaac for the first time and Suzy holding Jude for the first time
Isaac going a little cross-eyed for the camera
Lucia being held by Dad for the first time
Jude giving a big YAWN! for the camera
Dahlia being held by Mom for the first time
Oh my! Those babies are just too cute! I love the picture of four of the six of you! I'm so thrilled for you and the progress you've all made this week! Love you all!
ReplyDeleteJulieta
Suzy, They are BEYOND BEAUTIFUL! I got your sweet email and will respond soon. Getting over the worst 24 hrs. of my life, with a housefull of stomach flu.
ReplyDeleteHow encouraging, huh? =) I love you and we are praying for you. Seriously, no guilt over taking care of yourself. You HAVE to! They need you when they come home. Take the wheelchair in if you have to...I did that a few times. Hope I can help you better. Hugs from your quad buddies!
Jen
PS Do you realize how FABULOUS your babies are doing? Absolutely amazing. Eating. Breathing. THRIVING!
They are SO amazin! Thank you for sharing these pictures. I'll be praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteVaya! Que bonitos! I'm so happy for you, Suzy and Ted. You have 4 incredibly beautiful, precious little ones. I'm sure you're enjoying these first moments together immensely! Happy New Year! Que Dios les bendiga! Carmen Howell :)
ReplyDeleteno more IV, no more CPAP and dressing on baby clothes !!
ReplyDeletethe babies began good the new year
next goal : fedding in the bottle
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
Suzy & Ted your babies are gorgeous. I'm soooo happy with their progress. Your mom was telling me about each of their little personalities yesterday. I know you want them home more than anything, but this is a good healing time for you. Take advantage of it so you can physically cope with your new family! Love you. Give the kiddos a big hug for me. ~aunt becky
ReplyDeleteThey are soooo cute!!!! Thanks for sharing the good news. They are doing amazing, just like their parents, eh.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the pic of all four next to each other.
Take care of yourself, rest a lot, and get ready for the thrill ride.
sooo cutes your babies Suzy!
ReplyDeleteMuchas bendiciones para cada uno y para los papás felices!...
Saludos de mi Familia..
We loves u:*
Awww.... what a great New Year, already.
ReplyDeleteYour babies are gorgeous!!
They are so perfectly beautiful, it makes me cry. God is so good!
ReplyDelete-Emily Trempe
You have 4 beautiful babies! Congratulations! I pray they get to all go home SOON!! Happy New Year to all of you!
ReplyDeleteThe babies are so beautiful. We are so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteLiz
What a cute family! And just think...that's only two-thirds of the Thompson fam in that first photo!
ReplyDeleteaaaah
ReplyDeleteno dejo de verlos..
son tan hermosos mis sobrinos x)
Gorgeous family, including four beautiful, precious children. Wonderful news, so glad to hear it!
ReplyDeleteThey are too adorable for words. And what great news for New Year's. Enjoy them!!!
ReplyDeleteWow. Amazing, beautiful babies! They are doing so well! :) You look great, too, Suzy! :)
ReplyDeleteSuzy and Ted,
ReplyDeleteYour babies are absolutely beautiful!!! They are doing amazing! Keeping you close to our hearts.
Love,
The Middletons
The babies are soooo cute! I'm so happy that they're doing so well. Keep posting pictures of them; I love seeing their little expressions.
ReplyDeleteOH! Just GORGEOUS!!!! They are doing just incredible!
ReplyDeleteWill continue praying for your precious bunch!
Oh, they are so, so sweet. I'm thrilled to hear they are doing so well. NONE of them have apnea issues?!?! WOW. They will be home before you know it!
ReplyDelete-Christine
They're precious, Suzy! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures. I think of you often and hope you're recovering well. I'm sure the idea of having all four babies home is daunting for you both--you continue to be in our prayers all around!!
ReplyDelete