Second Week as a Mom

The past fourteen days have been nothing but a JOY to be a part of! Yes, a whirlwind of sorts, but a miraculous whirlwind at that. Every burp, poopy diaper, rough feeding, sore pumping session has been worth it. I know it doesn't even begin to match up to what the road looks like ahead of us but I have appreciated every moment! Most Moms get to bring their babies home and snuggle them as much as they want. My snuggles are limited right now so I definitely take the time to be in the present moment. It was tough getting pregnant and it's even tougher having three littles that I can't bring home with me right now but I know that it's only encouraged me to take in the small moments and recognize that the (already) fatigue and weariness is worth it. I don't ever want to take ANY moment for granted with those three. They are working hard to live and get stronger so that I can be that Mom I have always dreamed of being.

Week two has been very similar to week one. I don't even think I can be considered a "rookie Mom" at this point but my heart has swelled to the size of an experienced Mom (i'm sure of it!). Every night I go home and feel the urge to cry because my belly is once again flat but have no babies to prove I gave birth. It's a weird feeling that only other NICU Moms can feel. I tell myself, "this too shall pass" as I did throughout the last few weeks of pregnancy. I don't try to rush it though because I know once they are home they will grow like weeks in just a blink! I'm not ready for that.

They are still so small. Ellison is our smallest at about 3 lbs 12 oz, Oakley is 3 lbs 13 oz, and mister Isaiah is 4 lbs 10 oz. Their personalities already have shown through and their need to be noticed is HUGE!

Oakley is our feisty observer. She knows what she wants and will let the entire NICU know when she does. Sometimes she just peeps loudly for no reason. We think there is already a little bit of jealousy rousing up in her. But my favorite part about this sweet little angel is her ability to just take in the world. She will lay the longest with her eyes open. She follows sound and responds with her beautiful eyes. As you talk to her she will look at you and the moment I put her up to my bare chest she sits silenced by the sound of my heartbeat.

Ellison is our smallest and our egg-shaped head girlie girl. She loves to be held and put in my tank top! Her touch is so tender and her personality matches it quite well. One of those first few times when I had Isaiah and Ellison on my chest she reached out to lay her arm on Isaiah. And the other day when I was tandem breastfeeding Oakley and Ellison, Ellison just laid and stared in awe and amazement at her sis - almost as if she were taking in the moment. She used to be wide-eyed and always awake but now is one of our sleepy heads. Like her brother, it's rare if we catch a glimpse of her eyes. She must know she is the smallest and want to catch up quick!

And then there is mr. man Isaiah. He has been hard to peg and read but we are on to him. He is just flat out lazy. He does everything with his eyes closed and acts asleep 24/7. He will show signs that he is hungry and willing to take a bottle so we will unhook wires, etc., to pull him out of his inlet, he takes two sips and then falls asleep. It's almost like he is saying, "HAHA...I just showed you all of the signs to be pulled out and held and sleep!" He is a stinker! Poor little dude has reflux though so the wheezing sound breaks my heart. He is a charmer though. He is steps behind his sissies but the staff all say that is typical and normal for a preemie boy. He is so handsome and though a stinker at times a miraculous stinker at that!

I'm so in love. Even though it's only been two weeks - it has been the best two weeks of my life. A blog from Craig is coming soon! So stay tuned and thanks for joining us on this journey.

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