Friday, November 14, 2008

Hospital Stay and Homecoming

Liam stayed in the well-baby nursery and Lily in the NICU the rest of the hospital stay. I have such amazing and wonderful friends who were able to come and visit through the recovery (the same amazing and wonderful friends who helped my sanity by bringing me great food and movie nights and taking Abby out on play dates so she wouldn't go crazy.) The whole experience was such a double-edged sword though as I was able to feed and bond and show off Liam, Lily was hooked up to machines and wires and IVs on a different floor and I had never spent a night away from Abby before this hospital stay and I really missed her so much as well. I wished I could spend so much more time with little Lily, but I still had to be wheeled everywhere due to the weight gain and surgery and had to do it in between taking care of Liam. It was a couple of days before I could hold her and I was finally able to nurse her on Friday. She was a real trooper and latched on right away. That was a real turning point in her recovery I think... but more on that later.

Liam was a real entertainer and enjoyed all the attention I think. He nursed well at first, and then forgot what he was doing. The Nazi lactation consultant was no help whatsoever, but we eventually got back on track after a few emotional breakdowns by his mother. The water in my body started coming out every possible way it could and very often... I couldn't notice any change at first and finally, after a few days there was some change. I think that recovering from the c-section was actually a little easier than recovering from Abby's birth... not to give away too many gory details, but let's just say that it took a lot more than 6 weeks to recover from that one. Abby REALLY was so excited to meet her brother and got to hold him which was what she had been dreaming about since she found out I was pregnant. I have to give her major props for her patience.

I CANNOT tell you how nice it was to have Paul's mum here! I never had to worry about Paul or Abigail the whole time I was in hospital and she, of course, is completely in love with her new grandchildren and we are so glad that she is here to share this experience with us. Abby finally got to meet Lily on Saturday, the day Liam and I were discharged. She fell in instant love and it was such a great experience. It was still one of the hardest things I ever had to do to leave one baby at the hospital while taking the other one home. I wondered if they missed one another. We are more fortunate than most people as we live just a couple of blocks from the hospital. That would REALLY be nice over the next few days.

Lily was never too bad compared to many of the others there. The leg started looking more and more normal everyday and now, they are just a little worried about the hip joint, but we have an appointment at Children's Primary Hospital (one of the very best children's hospitals in the world) at the end of the month just to make sure it doesn't need further work. Worst case scenario: She'll need surgery, but everything is 100% fixable. The other issue she had that kept her in the NICU- the main reason- was an air bubble that was outside the lung... not uncommon. They had to wait to see if it would get bigger- which would indicate a larger issue- or get smaller. Hers stayed the same, didn't seem to affect her breathing and finally got smaller toward the end of the week. Except for the first day, she was on room air the entire time and mostly on observation. The last step was to get her to gain weight and nurse and she was finally able to come home on Monday, November 6.

When we first came home, my schedule went something like this: Feed Liam, pump, go to the hospital and feed Lily, come home and maybe eat or nap for a second, then start all over again all day and all night. My milk finally came in the day Lily came home. Paul and I were so happy to reunite our twins and have our entire little family together for the first time. At first, there didn't seem to be any difference, but as soon as it was time for them to sleep, we put them down together and they (especially Liam) cuddled up together and went straight down. They are still sleeping that way today. He loves putting his head on her shoulder and when I thought about it, that was exactly how they were in the womb for the last few months.
They are just so precious and I CANNOT believe that I- that this little body of mine- actually grew them and that we have been given this great blessing. Our family feels complete now and I am constantly overwhelmed by the amazing gifts Heavenly Father gave to us... our 3 wonderful, healthy children and amazing extended family and friends without whom we could have never done what we've done.

15 comments:

The Ostheds said...

Oh my goodness, that picture with Liam cuddling with Lily just melts my heart! I can't wait to see both of them!

Patrick, Adrienne, Isabella, & Makenzie said...

they are total cuties! congratulations! i bet it's great to have everyone at home!

The Stells! said...

those pictures are so cute!! Oh my gosh! Congrats!!

Tish Solomon said...

Congratulations!!! I am so glad that you are all well, and home and safe! Well done Bethany:-) Thanks for all the pics you put on the blog too. I have been watching your blogs since mid Oct, almost every day to see when you had them. I will call sometime... i will give you some time first. They are gorgeous! you are amazing. sorry you didn't get to do the vaginal you wanted to, but glad the c-section worked out. It really isn't that bad. I am planning on one for ours... hope you lose that water soon, and start feeling yourself a little more. gotto go... bed time... so glad all went well, you will stay in our prayers.
Love,
Tish

Stephanie said...

I've been waiting for this post in excitement! They are just so beautiful! What cuties and Abby looks so proud. You'll have to thank her for her comment during the Primary Program. She makes a great little friend. Good luck with everything!

Jamie and Erin said...

Congrats on a beautiful family! Your children are all gorgeous. I hope you are feeling better soon. I can't imagine how uncomfortable you must have felt in your petite frame! Take care!

Tasheana said...

OMG! You did such a good job Bethany. That picture of liam and lily cuddling brought tears to my eyes.I am so glad you are home with your family and that everything went ok. You are truly blessed. I live right down the road if you need anything. I don't know your address or # but my # is (801)671-6808. I would be happy to bring you anything you want...and i'm sure ayden would enjoy playing with abby.

Jenny said...

I think my ovaries made actual sounds when I saw all these pictures. They are so precious. I am dying to hold Lily. Tell Abby the kids still love her the most. :)

Sarah said...

Okay, so it is probably the pregnancy - but I am totlaly teary-eyed! Congratulations! They are beautiful. The look so much alike, and even now, Liam looks more boyish than Lily. They are so cute. I love how they sleep together. Good luck with the feeding, hope they learn to get on the same schedule soon!

jeri said...

Oh they are so tiny and precious. I can't wait to come and see them (Parker and Darcy need to have non-runny-noses before I dare come and see you)

Amy said...

Bethany! They are so beautiful! I just cannot get over how they are so obviously boy and girl. And I want to make that photo of Liam laying on Lily's shoulder my desktop. Would that be weird? :D

Love you guys and congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Wow. They are beautiful. And that pic of them cuddling together was precious and I loved it. It made me happy:)
Abby looks like she will be the best big sister... loving and helpful.

Courtni said...

Adorable demais you guys! Congrats and good luck!

Muirzinho

Cassidy said...

They are so precious! I am so happy that your little family is doing so well. We hope everything continues to go well. If you ever want some time with just the babies and need a babysitter for Abby just let me know, I'd love to!

Heather said...

You're are amazing and your babies are beautiful. Hats off to Abby too. She was meant to be a big sister. After holding Liam and seeing Lily in the hospital, I went home yearning for another baby...Please remind me,(the picture of the twins crying together was a gentle reminder) that I'm in the 3 club.........oh, oh, oh, after those cute pictures....at least another few years. Love you so much.