Becc and Kirsty,

I think a general chatter thread would be fantastic! I have found that I don't really belong anywhere yet because my babies aren't home while all the other girls are having their daily challenges, they are different ones from what I am experiencing. It would be good to talk to others who have or are going through the same thing.

Becc,

just looked at your site, he is BEAUTIFUL!

I am exhausted but as you say, it is all worth it. Did you worry when you brought him home, was he on the monitors for a while? Was he on CPAP or oxygen and for long? Did he get the steroids? Ivy and Noah have just been taken off the little apnea monitors now and I feel paniced sometimes when I leave.

Welshgirl,

I hear you. that empty arms thing is so hard. I've done it twice now, for different reasons and it isn't any easier. I understand the depression too. To go through a hard pregnancy and then to have a sick baby afterwards,is very disheartening. you just begin to feel better after the birth and you have to start the long haul into the hospital for a tiny little being, and it seems surreal. It does take a long time to work through all the emotions. I understand too your dread at having another prem baby. I felt that way when I knew we would have to go back into the NICU after William, when we found that we were expecting Ivy and Noah. As it got closer to their birth, the worse I felt.
David doesn't talk about the birth or our time in the NICU either, he feels that we should just move on but some days are so overwhelming, aren't they and when you can't debrief and have to hold it all in, it makes it all the harder. Hang in there, you can debrief in here all you need to, I know I will.

Hey Melinda,

I know you had a terrible time of it lately, haven't you. My heart goes out to you. I will keep everything crossed for you in 2006.