Hanging with Our Cousins

At some point, we will be ready for a formal portrait, complete with matching outfits. This is not a true representation of Aunt Beth's quality photo shoots.

Charlie Chills and Nori Shrills

So it is easy to say that our lives have changed dramatically. One thing bed rest forced me to do was to accept help from others. Good thing. Nona has been with us since we came home, along with weekend relief from my mom and the aunts. My sister Beth is amazing at doing things one handed. I also find myself saying things that I would not have predicted like, "I would like to schedule my son's circumcision," and "I can go out with a little throw up on my top, right?" But every day our babies get a little stronger as do we.

Nori and Perry BFF 4-ever

I think Nori's exciting birth will help her when hanging out with her city slick BFF Perry.

You Have to See the Babies

It is so nice to have visitors and to fill this house with love again, especially since it had been empty for so long.

Nori and Charlie got to meet their cousins who have been waiting patiently for their arrival.

Memories Longer than the Road that Stretches Far Ahead

Our journey home began with a visit to a pediatrician in Tampa just to make sure we could hit the road. Bryan and I spent our first few days as parents sleeping on the floor (well, not really sleeping) in the townhouse. Bryan tried to plan the unplanable, while I tried to convince myself that we could just wing it.


The doctors visit went really well, so on Tuesday, May 20th, we began our trip home.

Perhaps more experienced parents would have mapped out the good rest stops ahead of time. All Bry and I knew was that we needed to change and feed them every three hours. So after our first stretch of driving we pulled over somewhere near Jacksonville. Once our over packed truck came to a stop, Bryan and I just looked at each other, frozen as to what our next move was. Do we change them in the car? Is there somewhere in side of this broke down Wendy's that has a changing station? Is the guy in the truck next to us with the open wounds and series of scabs on his arms dangerous? These were questions we wished we had fleshed out ahead of time. Instead, we awkwardly changed the babies on the front seat, needing all four of our hands to keep them from rolling into the seat crease and then fed them in the jam packed truck. Nori grunted and Charlie refused to eat. Midway through I mumbled, "We should just go back." Bryan sighed-a sound I had heard a lot over the past four days. We then both exhaled and decided we would only drive to Savannah, rather than our goal of North Carolina. We made it safely to Savannah and sacked out immediately.
We began our next day optimistic. We learned from day one and now knew where the better bathrooms can be found. We made it to our goal: Richmond, Virginia. The Marriot was very accommodating and the look on the face of the man who delivered our room service at the pile of babies on the bed was priceless.

Our final leg led us to New Jersey. Our final pit stop was a warm welcome at Paul, Crista, and Emma's. I thought I would not let go once I hugged Crista-like a castaway embracing land after being lost at sea. We re-fueled body and soul and then began our last few miles.
















Nona greeted us with a giant smile. Balloons announced our new arrivals. A welcome home introduction kit was left for Charlie and Nori compliments of the Knouses, Ribon's, and Taylor's-all our favorite places in an envelope.


Home. I have found it in many places and in many people, but to touch down in the place Bryan and I created together that has been filled with the love and laughter of our friends and family with our new creations felt like a never ending embrace.

Born To Run

These babies were definitely born to run, 802 miles down with just 300 more to go! Yes that is correct we will be back home today. We left Tampa early Tuesday morning, sacked out in a hotel in Savannah Tuesday night, sacked out in another hotel in Richmond Wednesday night and will be pulling into our driveway tonight. Some quick stats for you....101 days since we have been home, Charlie weighed 4 lbs 11 ounces at our last doctor visit, Monday, (although mom feels he has packed on even more weight since then), Nori is tipping the scales at 5 pounds 11 ounces. Charlie and Nori have been to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia (more traveling than their Poppy). We have passed about 50 signs to South of the Border and 400 Waffle Houses. When we checked into the hotel last night I couldn't help notice that Amy and I had one bag between us, while the babies brought in 8 bags, interesting. We are stopping about every 2 ot 3 hours to change, feed and refuel. If I could get one thing on this trip it would be a sign before exits that said if you are looking for a clean place to change your child don't stop here. So far we rated the Barnes and Nobles bookstore in South Carolina the best changing place. As you may have guessed this is Bryan doing the writing, as a guest writer to the blog. We miss all of you and will be seeing you very soon. Just wanted to thank all of you for the calls, packages from home, comments to the blog, prayers and support, we wouldn't have been able to do this without you. By the way Nori and Charlie are talking about going to Aruba next year.

The First Whole Day

I was so anxious about the babies' homecoming, but the second we left the hospital I felt a serenity that I have not felt for some time. Sure, the first 24 hours were tough, but I feel like the NICU was like baby boot camp-trying to care and love your children under some fairly crazy circumstances. Being home with them (dare I say it!) seems so much easier. Perhaps because it feels so much more natural. Our pack and play bassinet seems to be a little too soft for them, and the apartment is a little too quiet, so we made a snuggle camp on the floor (a la Tom Hanks once rescued in Castaway) and we leave the television on. Our upcoming road trip is a little daunting, but I feel like we can really take on anything right now. Perhaps I am delirious from lack of sleep or euphoric from having them near me but I today was a really great day.