Leaving the Hospital

Blogger is finally working! Sorry for the wait everyone.

Here are few thoughts about our final days in the hospital and our trip home.

On Wednesday morning, Crystal began to feel human again, human enough to see the boys. The nurses wheeled her in a wheelchair down to the nursery, where she and I enjoyed a few minutes with the boys.

Here are a few pictures of the boys in the nursery...

Hayden Hunter:

Zachary Hunter:

Proud Mom and Dad (and tired too):

We were not discharged from the hospital until Thursday because the hospital wanted to monitor Zachary and Hayden's blood sugar levels. During that time, we learned a lot from the nurses about some of what we would need to know once we got home. In hindsight, the information they gave us has been a life saver.

Thank heavens for the nursery in the hospital. They placed IVs in our boys to help regulate their blood sugar, rocked them while they ate, gave them their first baths, and watched over them while Mom was recovering from the Magnesium Sulfate. Crystal and I had a sinking feeling this would be the only reprieve in sight for a very long time so we needfully took advantage of it.

Crystal made her first attempts at breastfeeding in the hospital. I naively thought babies just automatically take to breastfeeding, but in the hospital I rapidly learned such things take A LOT of time and patience. Given their premature entry into this world, Zachary and Hayden (especially Hayden) are having a difficult time breastfeeding. Their mouths are so tiny! They try so hard and Crystal tries so hard, but it doesn't always work. When that happens, Crystal cries and feels like a failure. It's hard to watch. In truth, if it weren't for the compassionate nurses at Orem Community Hospital, who spent an inordinate amount of time coaching us, I'm certain we would have already switched to formula. Hopefully their breastfeeding skills will improve soon.

Like all things, there comes and end. At 2:08 P.M. on Thursday (November 5, 2009), we walked out of the hospital and into life. We entered as a couple and left as a family. We were smiling the entire way home. This is something we had hoped and prayed for and now it is real. Miraculous. Awesome. Overwhelming.

Here are some pictures of us leaving the hospital and arriving at home. Grandma Klingler took the time to create a welcome sign. Thanks Grandma.

We would like to thank everyone at Orem Community Hospital for their skilled and compassionate service. We would also like to thank Dr. Judd for being the world's best OB. We're certain he has magical powers. Two pushes and that's all it took to get those twins out! You tell me how that can happen without magic. I'd like to know.

Last but not least, we would like to thank Grandma Klingler and Grandma Romney for their support at the hospital. It was so nice to have both of you there.