Saturday, July 28, 2012

A House FULL of BELLS!!


Yesterday the last Baby Bell came home!
Trystan Lee!
Everyone joined in our celebration.......


..........from the NICU and my favorite nurse, Jane, who taught us all so much about caring for preemies - from feeding to burping to holding - the whole thing! I stayed extra days on my last trip down here just to learn from her.

Jane was there the day the quads were born and has been a primary caretaker through their entire stay in the NICU! She began educating Amber and Mike on preemie care from Day 1! Thanks to her and several other excellent nurses they are now an awesome parental team moving with confidence as they care for the babies. It was fitting that Jane was the nurse to discharge the last Baby Bell!
(Don't tell anyone but I think Trystan was her favorite!)
THANK YOU, nurses!!!


The celebration continued as we went down to the 5th floor where Amber  had stayed for 57 days. We grew very fond of so many of the excellent nurses on the 5th floor.
This is Amby. She admitted Amber back on April 9th and discharged her on June 5th.


We couldn't leave before finding Lisa - another favorite nurse!
Can you tell I love the nurses that did so much to ensure Amber was taken care of?
And I love those special nurses who loved on and cared for the precious babies.
The doctors were excellent I'm sure.
But the NURSES were ANGELS we will never forget and hope they will continue to be a part of our lives through visits and Facebook and blogs!

While on the 5th floor I just had to revisit Room #552


It was an emotional visit.
I remember coming in the mornings and leaving after traffic in the evenings.


I set up my laptop back there by that lamp.
Some days I just sat quietly and others I stayed pretty busy helping care for Amber.
She had a magnesium sulphate IV for most of those 57 days.
You would think looking back on this room would be painful.
Especially since Amber had developed preclampsia in the last weeks of the pregnancy.
Most of the days she was pretty miserable. Many days it was nearly unbearable.
I tried not to think about the possibility of losing her.
I believe the reason it's not painful is because of the wonderful care and attention of the nurses and staff. They are paid to treat their patients. The fact that they CARE so deeply about them is what makes nursing a true ministry or calling.

And as I sat over there at my laptop I was encourage by all the comments of my friends in the World of Blog and Facebook Land about the prayers for my daughter and her unborn babies. Those prayers made all the difference in the world!


I remember sitting by this window chatting to Amber one day.
Through her hospitalization I had been coming down every other week.
On May 15th we came down to STAY until the babies were born.
May 19th marked her 28 weeks. On May 21st it looked like she would make it another week perhaps. I will never forget her looking over at me and asking, " Are you really going to stay here? Coming up here everyday and bringing me things and being with me til the babies are born?" I said, "Absolutely!"
And I did! I stayed until she got out of the hospital and I knew she and the babies were OK.  I didn't leave until June 7th - the day after her birthday.

Now that she is a mother herself - with THREE daughters! - I am sure she understands.


Little Miss Trystan all ready for the ride home.


A FIRST family picture!!
I snapped it as they were getting ready and I just LOVE the expressions on their faces.
Such joy and pride as Amber and Mike look down at their babies.
Harrison, Kailey, Trystan and Logan.


And here I am holding all FOUR of the quads at the same time!
I just LOVE this!!!

Now I will close with a 'Reality Shot!'
It is not ALL fun and games around here!
 I am writing this post now because I need to stay awake.
The next feeding is in just a few minutes.


All these bottles are for just ONE day!!
That's 32 feedings.........one every three hours.
We have our work cut out for us!

You can read Amber's latest post here!







14 comments:

Vee said...

We are all smiles here looking at your happy faces. What a beautiful family!

(The link to Amber's isn't working or my computer is skitzy.)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Lovely, lovely post, my Dear.

Rather encompassing the whole Saga.

With a happy ending, even.

Gentle hugs, all round.
"Auntie"

"Perfectionism is a dangerous state of mind
in an imperfect world."

~Robert Silliman Hillyer

Changes in the wind said...

You have your hands (and heart) full:)

Kelly said...

Congrats on the last baby making it home to join the bunch! I'm sure that will make it much easier for Amber to take care of them since she doesn't have to run to the hospital anymore. Nurses really are the ones that do all the work at the doctors office and hospital, aren't they? I'm sure they will miss your visits and delicious treats you brought them. Looks like they did an awesome job taking care of everyone. Looks like you will be very busy now, but those babies will grow fast. Enjoy it. They will be walking in about 12 months! Ha!

Sweet Tea said...

All those babies + all those bottles = fatigue and great JOY!.
So happy that everyone is doing well!!

Pondside said...

Your smiles say it all! What a beautiful family. God bless those two proud parents and their four little angels. They are in for a lot of good times!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Linda, it is such a joyful sight to see all four babies at home with Amber and Mike. The babies are growing before our eyes and look so adorable. Amber is lucky to have to helping out as much as you do ...God bless you all!

PS: As a retired nurse I do appreciate your praise about nurses very much! :)

Angie said...

What an emotional post. I can't imagine what a roller coaster ride the last few months have been for you. You did good momma, you stayed strong and supportive through the whole ordeal. I know Amber probably appreciates that beyond what words could ever say.

The family pic and the pic of you and the Quads made me smile from ear to ear!!!! I'm so glad the babies are doing so well.

The bottles, well I feel your pain. Of course, I only have 2 on a bottle. I can't even begin to imagine having FOUR!!!

Deb said...

looking at those tiny faces makes everything you all went through worth while...

Chatty Crone said...

I love all those bells - how cute they are - but they sure do have their work cut out for them and so do you!
sandie

Lynne said...

Oh Linda!

My heart is filled with so much gratitude and joy for you and your family!

So many blessings to count...

So happy to hear that Trystan is home.
~Lynne
w/L.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Linda,
You are one busy Grandma...and so very blessed! The babies look wonderful and healthy! I love the family photo so much joy and love there.
I have enjoyed catching up on the Bell babies.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

Changes in the wind said...

You have left this posted for a few days and everytime I click on it and see the first picture I just think she looks so soft....

Carla said...

Man that's a lot of little bottles. Can you imagine feeding that crew when they get older. Now is an experience I'm sure to just juggle the schedule.
Love the picture of you and all the Little Bells! Hugs