“Guess what?” Lisa asked from the other end of the phone call. “When you get home from work tonight, pack your bag, we’re rooming in!”
Like the runner who turns the last corner and spots the finish line, in disbelief from fatigue but with a side helping of euphoria, it was the call I’d waited weeks to receive. Our first twin was coming home.
Luca, now 6 weeks and three days old (37 weeks old equivalent gestation), has for the last 48 hours taken every feeding from a bottle, and has finished every bottle no problem.
So here we are, playing house in a hotel-like hospital room, complete with a fold-out couch, TV, and bathroom, mere steps away from the beeping sensors of the NICU, with our little man Luca. The 11:15pm alarm went off just as we were starting to doze off, signaling the first of our feedings for what feels like our preemie final exam. With a quick diaper change reminiscent of a NASCAR pit stop, a wide-awake baby was passed to Mom, and a warm bottle now rests firmly in Luca’s mouth.
If all goes well (Luca gains weight, continues feeding, Mom and Dad don’t suffer some sort of panic attack) he’ll go home sometime tomorrow after his final NICU stats check.
“Bwamp.” Loud burp. Time to burp this kid and finish off the final 20ml of his milk…
…Mom now demonstrating her ninja burping techniques as passed on to her by the NICU nurses…
5mls left… come on kid, stay awake so we can finish this off.
I remember rooming in with my first born- each milestone is so exciting – hope all goes well and you are home soon!