The Baby Feeding Factory

These pictures aren't our best work, but it was the best we could pull together for the purpose of this blog. We promise to do better this week! I had to include the picture of Eliot because it was just too cute. That was her first soccer game and needless to say, she was not happy! The weather played a nasty trick on us and blew in a good 30 mph wind and temperatures in the 40's. The game was called early because none of the kids wanted to play!

We're trying to come up with new names for our home. Since the purpose and activity level of this house has changed pretty dramatically lately, "home" just doesn't quite tell the whole story. Here is what we've come up with so far:

- The Baby Feeding Factory

- Babyville or Baby Town

- The Baby Place - Where Serious Suckers Get Their Fill

- The Poopin' Shack

I don't think Casey will go for the last one, but I think it has a nice ring to it... ;-)

Our days start no later than 7:30 am because that is when the first feeding begins. Since they aren't stable enough to be set up in a boppy to be fed and we often only have one person available for feeds, they get fed one at a time. To get all four taken care of, it takes about two hours. The babies are on a three hour schedule so after the feed is done, there is an hour break before the next feed begins. This schedule continues around the clock...every day...seven days a week. Is it possible that they've only been home a week and a half??

The schedule has also been really hectic because of all of the doctor visits we've had to get them to. Each of the babies has had three different appointments since their discharge which ended up being a total of six trips because of their different discharge dates (Jack goes by himself, the three girls all go together). Today, however, was a unique experience because we got an actual house call from their eye doctor! Pretty cool, right? Actually, much thanks go to Jeannie, one of the NICU Superstars, who arranged it all with the doctor and came out ahead of him to dilate their pupils and assist with the appointment.

Right now, we're just trying to hang on and catch as many zzzz's as possible. The schedule is definitely more packed than we would like, but we know it will not be this nuts for too long. The volunteers have been great and have been a huge help. Thanks to them, we have been able to have a little bit of breathing room. We've been able to go to Eliot's first soccer game, I'm able to write this blog, and Casey has been able to shower almost daily (kidding, Baby, but you know I love it when you're a little funky!). Despite all of the help we have received, we are looking for a night nanny for a couple of nights a week to help with the long nights. We're hoping that combining that with help from grandparents and the volunteers, we ought to be able to survive until they get off of the three hour feeding schedule.

Though the days, and especially nights, have been long we are having a good time with it all and couldn't be happier with the way they are all doing! As has been the case from the day this adventure began, life is crazy, but life is good!!

God Bless,

Ethan

http://www.joneslife.net/