Anne-Claire's first bottle: June 20

On June 20, Anne-Claire got her first bottle from Nurse Jennifer (who is expecting herself in August). It wasn't actually her first bottle because another nurse gave her one the other night without our knowledge, but it was the first one that Mama got to witness. I wasn't thrilled with the idea but was told it was the fastest way to get them home because they have to get all their feedings by mouth before they can come home. Elise is still in the isolette and getting her feedings by NG tube except when I'm there to nurse her.

Anne-Claire

Elise

Thursday, June 18

Elise, 3 weeks, 3 pounds 10 ounces

Anne-Claire, 3 weeks, 4 pounds 12 ounces

Dr. Lauren Dungy-Poythress holding Anne-Claire and Elise


The girls' room

The board with their daily stats

Anne-Claire and Elise were 3 weeks old when we thought they would be transported to Bloomington Hospital. I went to the NICU and took pictures of the babies, their room, and Dr. Dungy-Poythress holding both girls, thinking it was their last day there. The next morning I called the nurse manager at Bloomington Hospital (BHHS) who was going to work out the details of the transfer with our insurance. She told me that another baby was being transferred from Riley and it had only taken an hour to get approval from the insurance, which happened to be the same one as ours. She promised to call me back in an hour. When she called she had not heard back yet from the insurance but expected to hear shortly. After waiting all day, we were finally told that the insurance had not gotten back with BHHS, so we'd have to wait until Monday for the transfer. I really wanted to go ahead and have the girls transported even with the risk that we'd have to pay the $4000 bill ourselves. The woman at BHHS advised against doing that because she thought the risk was too great. I was bitterly disappointed and had little hope that the transfer would happen. On Monday, we learned that the insurance had denied our request because Bloomington Hospital could not offer our girls any better care than they were already getting in Indy. They had no interest in our girls being closer to home, and thereby, being more easily nursed by their mama. I tried to not be too upset and to put my hope in Christ. I knew that He had a better plan for our girls than anything I could imagine.

Recital Pictures

Emma had lots of fun at her recital on June 19. She did a great job and looked adorable on stage. I'm so thankful that I was able to be there--for a while I wasn't sure if I'd still be in the hospital. We all wish Anne-Claire and Elise could have been home for the recital and in the picture of our family. I'm sure they'll be at the next one!