...two steps back.. again.

Of course all was going well and we expected some mountains to overcome and of course today we got to that mountain. As I was driving in, I got a call from the neonatologist saying that Grace would be getting a transfusion today. Booo! It had been scheduled and there was nothing we could do about it. We jumped on the band wagon and it actually went pretty well. Her hematocrit was still 26 and has been for weeks, her heart rate was in the 200s and she kept having events fairly consistently. The writing was on the wall and knowing that they want the kids to come home soon, they felt it was the smartest decision.

She started at 2pm and was finished by 6pm and I stayed with her all day, holding her as often as I could. She turned pink from the extra blood (which was Tom's yay!) but slept the majority of the time. I was able to nurse her while it was happening and by the time I left, she seemed fine. Tom was able to come too and be with us for several hours which was really nice and comforting to me for sure. The main concern is that she accepts it well, she doesn't develop an infection or reject it but all of that would have happened immediately. The kicker is the stomach infection that can occur. We will watch for that too and whatever happens, we will deal with it. It is really scary knowing all of the what ifs and not having a clue if we are going to have to confront any of it.

Austin had a good day today which was nice. He was super alert and hungry! I tried to keep up with him just nursing but I ended up having to supplement with bottles. I am really going to have a chore getting them up to speed with breast feeding but we will have to worry about that later.

We are still on par for this week in terms of going home. The kids have to be in a safer place before they will release them which will probably be this weekend. My parents are coming back to help out and we will need it. This whole journey is coming to a close and I honestly cannot believe it. I can't believe that it has been more than 7 weeks. The time has melted away and I feel as if I have lost time for the first time in my life. .. very creepy.

Updates
Grace
She weighs 2530 grams which is 5 lbs. 9.2 oz.

Austin
He weighs 2660 grams 5 lbs. 13.8 oz.

Cheers to the next chapter..

Much love to you all,
Erica and Tom