the Skibness Family: Home Sweet Home

Our Bittersweet Journey

Going Home

Yes you read that correctly. We are going home...at least three of us are. Zoe, Isabelle and I are going home.

Zoe and Isabelle have been making major strides and the doctors are confident that they are able to go home. Both girls had their caffeine discontinued last week and have had no episodes of apnea or other difficulties. Both girls are taking all of their feeds by mouth. Both girls are ready to go home.

Adam and I are beyond excited and scared out of our minds. Will the girls survive off their monitors? Will we be able to recognize the signs of something going wrong? Will we be able to handle their needs at home? We've been wishing for this day but now that it's here, we simply do not know how to feel...

What complicates matters is that Cecilia must stay in the NICU. Our family will be separated...again. It is incredibly difficult to be excited about bringing Zoe and Isabelle home without feeling guilty for leaving Cecilia in the hospital. And at the same time it is hard not to be happy about walking away from the hospital and celebrating the health of two of our beautiful daughters. It is completely bittersweet.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Happy Birthday Popa Tom! Your present is Zoe and Isabelle coming home! Friday afternoon we packed up an entirely overfilled Suburban along with Zoe and Isabelle and made the trek back to Eau Claire. Before we left, I was holding Cecilia having an incredible time leaving her. Thankfully Patti was her nurse, and she was able to take Cecilia from my arms so we could leave. I cannot describe how heartbreaking it was to leave the NICU without her.

As we drove away from the hospital, leaving Cecilia in our rearview mirror, we had to hold onto hope that one day we would all be together again. So many people would comment as we left about twins and Adam, bless his heart, corrected each one saying, "No triplets." One day we will all be together again as a family.

Humpty Dumpty Surgery

When will that be...Well the doctors are hoping by Christmas, needless to say Adam and I are hoping for much sooner than that (like Thanksgiving!!).

Cecilia will undergo her Humpty Dumpty Surgery on Friday, November 1, 2013. She hit the magic number of 1900 grams on Monday and was 2 kilos today. Dr. Ishitani checked on her and said she's ready to be put back together.

Friday she will go back downstairs for her sixth, and hopefully last, surgery. The surgery is quite complicated and extensive lasting approximately 5-6 hours from start to finish. Adam and I will make the surgery back to be with Cecilia and would appreciate all of your prayers for her safe keeping during this time. Zoe and Isabelle will spend the day with Grandma Jan (we are incredibly lucky to have Adam's mom staying with us while we learn how to parent our girls).