On the Home Stretch

It doesn't feel like it, but we've been here for more days than we have left - so you could say that we're on the home stretch now.

Updates:
Today is Anthony's 4 week birthday - what a handsome growing little man he is!


Unfortunately it was a rough 4 week day though. Anthony needed to get his IV re-done AGAIN!!! It was probably one of my roughest days so far. They took him to put in the new IV, and 40 minutes and who knows how many pokes later, they still hadn't had success. He came back to me exhausted from screaming and with more little holes in his body. Finally, they got someone from the ER, and she did it on the first try! Poor guy is still sleeping - EXHAUSTED!!!
WE'RE PRAYING THAT THIS ONE WILL LAST UNTIL WE GET TO GO HOME!!!


Then, tomorrow marks one week that we'll have been here.
. . . and Friday (or Saturday - depending on the time of final antibiotic treatment), we will get to go home.


And then there's the NOW: it's a waiting game. I would say that the most draining part - is all the emotional wear and tear that a mom's heart has to go through during this waiting game.

There is so much that you never think of - that you never want to have to think of - when it comes to having kids. Like the fact that when you have to go to the hospital to stay with your baby - you still have another baby at home that needs you. He is still your baby too, but he's older and doesn't need you quite as much as your nursing infant. But my heart aches to have us back together. I miss my Augie!

I got to spend some good quality time with him on Sunday. The children's area here at the hospital is pretty neatly decorated, and we took Augie down to run around and use some of his excess energy.
The front desk looks like an ant farm!

They have a skylight with butterflies hanging everywhere.

And a huge tree with a walk through - and funny mirrors inside!

There are also these circles - that I think look like dinosaur eyes - that when you step on them, the jelly inside them moves around like a lava lamp.

Augie loved those!!!

I really needed the time with him. Honestly, it will not be enough until I'm home with all of my boys again.

Then there's my biggest boy - my husband. I've been sleeping on a queen sized air matress for almost a week now - without him. I see him briefly for a visit. I talk to him briefly for an update on the phone - because we're trying to keep up with the son that each of us has for now. I miss our team - our teamwork to take care of these kids. I miss my love!
And, my loving husband - never ceases to make me laugh either. He bought this candy - special for me:

What a great guy!

And then - they had to go home - without me. You'd think I'd get used to it or that it might get easier to deal with. Truth is - IT GETS HARDER EACH TIME THEY HAVE TO GO! I MISS MY FAMILY!
There are SO many things that I miss.
Gus is working so hard to help me with this though. He calls me to help wake up Augie in the morning (on speaker phone) and at night to say prayers together as a family. Augie even sends kisses through the phone - but they will never compare to the real hugs and kisses that I would get if I were at home.

So, the home stretch - yeah - we're on it. BUT REALLY I JUST WANT TO BE WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY - AT HOME!!!