Thursday 6th January

Well, it is 11.30pm and Daddy Senior is busy adding architrave to our loft hatch, what else would you do at this time of night? And so it is me, Mummy Senior, guest writing tonight’s entry. What an act to follow. I have been amazed at Anthony’s desire to keep this diary up to date even after a long day at work then with the babies and then at home helping get the house ready for the impending arrivals. I hope what it has shown is his dedication to his new role as a father. I truly believe that he will make an amazing Daddy and seeing him holding one (or both) of our children and looking at them with love and wonder is an incredible pleasure. I know that whatever long term challenges the future may bring with the babies he will continue to be utterly devoted to them. Phew, pass the sick bucket I hear you say!

Talking of daddies, I have a theory that when you become a father you instantly become good at/more interested in DIY and other (sorry girls) ‘manly’ things. This seemed to start when we were pregnant and then once the babies arrived became more marked. My theory was perfectly illustrated when he reached in his pocket one day in NICU to see how much change he had and out came a bolt, couple of washers and a wall plug.

Anyway, let’s get back to the matter in hand – our gorgeous babies. And gorgeous indeed they were today. I indulged in a good hour or so of ‘double cuddles’ whilst they were both wide awake; it is so hard to know where to look. I end up looking like I am watching a tennis match as I want to look at them both in equal measure.

More talk today of a going home plan of action. Apparently we are going to have a discharge meeting soon which involves several bodies who will be involved in our family over the next couple of years. The babies will need to be very carefully monitored to check progress and development in all areas. We are also going to have oxygen installed at home as it is looking pretty definite that Willow will come home still on nasal prongs and Stanley may need it wafted around whilst feeding and in case he gets the snuffles we have got the back up of nasal prong oxygen for him too. Apparently, due to fire risk, we will need stickers on our car to say we are carrying oxygen and need to inform insurance companies. Also, the nurse today seemed to think that the fire brigade would have to come round and check the house/oxygen too. How awful, having to have firemen come round, what a nightmare….;) Sorry Anthony!

Willow has now come off the main screen monitors for heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure and sats and is now on a sat monitor which is much smaller, has less information showing and when it goes off does not sound like a lorry reversing. It is a bit of a worry after having such an obvious alarm but we are aware that the docs want to wean us off having so much monitoring.

Willow continues to feed really nicely. The nurse looking after them today said that when she fed her in the morning she noticed that her eyes were incredible and seemed to almost sparkle – I felt so proud. Stanley also has gorgeous eyes but is struggling with the feeding and breathing combo, although was better today than he has been so hopefully he is getting into the swing of it. Great news is that after he pulled his feeding tube out a couple of days ago (whilst looking at me and expertly hooking finger underneath and removing with a flick of the wrist) it has not been put back down so his face is clear of everything – and boy is he cute!

Well, that’s it from me. I am sure that the big guy will be tapping away on here again tomorrow. Before I go I just wanted to quickly say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in our story. I honestly believe that your support and love has got us through (relatively) sane. No one plans to go through something like this but hey life is anything but ideal but we really wouldn’t change the beautiful babies we have got and the wonderful friends and family who have been with us every step.

Thank you, Leela x

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