The Boys are HOME/Where They Need to Be

The boys were circumcised and were NOT happy about it. The doctor explained that the surgery goes much easier on full term babies. He said it is almost as if there is a natural anesthetic at that point, and the procedure doesn't seem to bother them as much. On the other hand, getting "circed" is very painful for preemies.

We got a big surprise from the doctor. The boys get to come home! We didn't expect Jackson to be released for a while due to his size, but we should have known. After all, he is the "rock star" of the NICU.

It took much of the day to work through the discharge checklist. We had to watch all kinds of videos: feeding/changing/bathing/sleeping/sickness instructions, infant CPR, car seat instructions,and "Never, EVER shake a baby!" We were given recipes for fortifying breast milk and formula. The babies will need extra vitamins, iron and calories in order to catch up.

Since the babies are so small and premature, they will need to be quarantined. The doctor reminded us that they shouldn't even be here until the middle of October. She explained that any illness--even a common cold-- can be life threatening to a preemie, so we need to be vigilant in keeping the quads away from people for a while. Since they were diagnosed with Respiratory Distress Syndrome,the babies should be confined through the flu season. Although the idea is depressing, the fact that a common infection almost killed Isabella and Samantha will make it easier to follow.

The boys were too small for their car seats, so the nurse improvised. She rolled blankets to put on each side of them, and a washcloth to put under the clip between their legs. They just don't make car seats small enough.

Callie was so excited to finally take her brothers home. She says she is going to give her pacifier to Jackson. I'll believe that when I see it.

Sarah has four hospital bracelets to claim her babies. If the bracelets are removed, the whole hospital shuts down until the baby is located. We saw the emergency plan in action when a mom decided to remove her bracelet without permission. The hospital came to a screeching halt until she was located.

Believe it or not, these car seats are small. The boys just make them look big.

The girls are co-bedding now! So glad. Samantha needs to be with her sister.

Isabella forgets to breath when she is tired or eating. Her heart rate drops, alarms go off, and nurses come running. She takes about half of her feeding by bottle and the rest by feeding tube.

Samantha starts breathing rapidly when she is picked up or bothered. I wonder if she is afraid that something painful is coming, or if she just isn't used to being held? Whatever the reason, her oxygen has to be adjusted often.

Samantha has not been offered a bottle up till now due to the oxygen. She also has a feeding tube in her mouth, which hinders the sucking process. The nurse decided to try it anyway. Samantha took her first bottle!

If Samantha learns to take her bottles quickly, she will most likely be coming home on oxygen. Sarah is very concerned about the possibility. I will just be glad to have her home, even if she isn't wireless.

We have gotten to know, love and appreciate so many of the gifted caregivers in the NICU. We are able to share the story of the quads over and over. The main thing we let people know is that God watches, listens, cares and knows. He answers prayer.

Once again, we were reminded of God at work. The nurse said, "I can't believe Sarah made it so long. I especially can't believe the boys are going home after only two weeks! I have never seen that before with quads, and I have been here fifteen years. It just doesn't happen." Fortunately, it does with God.

Although we hated to do it, we had to leave the girls behind when we took the boys home. We know the girls are in good hands. For now, they are where they need to be.

Thanks for praying.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:8-13 KJV)