HoHum... What can we say has been happening with the Goddard boys? Is today just another day of who-got-what-hospital-test or random-nurse-roulette? When you get in a rut, it can sometimes be hard to think of things to update. I'm a bit stuck thinking about what we could say as I sit here... AT HOME!!!

That's right! I am writing this message from our home in Cool. Both boys are in the crib across from me sleeping after their evening meal. WOW!!! SOOO MUCH HAS HAPPENED since our last update. Here's the story in a nutshell.

Friday we had a big surprise. When Kathy walked into the nursery Friday morning, who should she see in a carseat, but GABRIEL. He had already finished his carseat challenge and was just hangin' out -- chillin' and showing his brother that the carseat isn't so bad afterall. Later that day, the neonatologist told Kathy that he would be off for two days, but he didn't think he would see us when he returned on Monday. We were so surprised because only 3 days earlier, he had told us we should expect a minimum of 7 more days for Gabe.

Saturday, Elias promptly passed his carseat challenge without any problems -- confirming the hypothesis that he was waiting for his brother so they could leave together. Later on Saturday, the neonatologist doing rounds said that the boys could go home on Sunday, _if_ Gabriel maintained or gained weight that night. (It was his second day on breastmilk alone -- no calorie fortifier added.) We were so on edge that we tried to stay away from the nursery as much as possible. We wanted them to rest and get big. Chris exhorted Gabriel to "think heavy" and "if you have to go to the bathroom, hold it until _after_ we put you on the scale." Apparently it worked. Gabe had a modest gain of about an ounce last night.

This morning, we checked out of the Sharing Place, loaded the car to the gills, dressed up the babies in non-hospital gear and headed home to Cool! It is amazing to have them HOME.

Ninah did a great job of tiring out the dogs prior to our arrival, so having the girls meet the boys was very easy. So far, we are all coexisting pleasantly. Sassy could care less about what is happening as long as she can go back to following Chris around the house. Ruby is interested, but listening very well. She sits to see the boys and doesn't do more than sniff or give a quick lick on the head.

The boys are alert and seem unruffled by the transition from the NICU to our quiet house in the country. They ate a big meal and are resting until the next one. We are just so happy and amazed to be home after such a long, difficult haul. Twenty two days is too long to be in the hospital -- and it is 21 days too long to be separated from your babies after carrying them for months.

Thank you once again to everyone for all the help, support, good wishes, prayers, and gifts. We have appreciated them more than we could ever express. For now we will keep updating this page on the boys, but will likely switch out for a different medium at some point in the future. Also, be on the look out for Cam-Frog meet and greet time with Elias and Gabe! They are used to the flash of cameras everywhere they go -- It is time for the silver-screen!