Winding Down the School Year

The end of the school year is a chaotic event, filled with a certain degree of pomp and bombast, and lots of bins overflowing with papers. As the days begin to wind down, a teacher can sense that kids are "checked out" and ready to begin their summer vacation. There is a certain excitement in the air- an enthusiasm to go and do something else, to have a different routine, to take a break, and most importantly to grow. The kids and teachers know that the end is in sight.

Likewise, we are now feeling that the end is in sight for Hope and Grace. On Thursday when we arrived at our "suite" in the intermediate area of the NICU, we noticed Hope and Grace's graduation diplomas tacked up to their bulletin boards. The end seems more in reach.

As of this morning, Gracie and Hope are both in open cribs. Gracie is 3 pounds 15 oz (so close to a 4 pounder). Hope is 4 pounds 4 ounces. Wow! Both girls are working on nipple feeds. Hope is really a champion when it comes to this. Gracie is learning at a little slower rate than her sister, but is getting the job done.

Life in the "intermediate care room" in the NICU is different. Both girls share a suite with windows. The nurses are available, but don't do as much as in the "sick baby room" across the hall. We are getting to know a new group of nurses, but missing the old familiar encouraging faces from Hope and Grace's previous residence. We are also doing some new stuff with the girls- Hope got her first bath on Thursday. Gracie is due for one on Sunday. We are now clothing the girls too.

Just like our students who must navigate through a sea of papers pouring out of their lockers as they wrap up the school year, we too have a mountain of forms that we are beginning to fill out in anticipation of the girls' discharge. We have a checklist at the girls' cribs of things to do before the babies go home and had a conversation with the nurse last evening about car seats. I've always said that things change in a hurry in the NICU! Enjoy some pics of the girls as they continue to grow into the intermediate stage of their NICU stay!





Hope is animated for Daddy to do her diaper cares. FYI, she left her dad a big surprise (no photo needed for that one).









Gracie naps peacefully by her window. This hopefully will be the last isolette photo of Gracie.









"Who is that guy with the big grin and the camera?" Hope wonders as she looks up at Daddy.


Hope's nurse gives her a bath!