We made it! After 3 months, almost to the day, we are backing living in our own house. Babies are now resting comfortably at the Special Nursery in Lion's Gate Hospital, 10 minutes up the road from our house. They still have a road to recovery ahead, but at least we are back amongst friends and family.
It was a frustrating week, as we were to come home on Tuesday, to Richmond General, but the hospital had a flood and at the last minute they canceled our flight. We had checked out of the hotel, and sent all our luggage and clothing ahead to Vancouver via courier. We ended up overnighting at our friend Linda's place, then waiting around yesterday to see what was going to happen. Finally the transport team showed up at 2:30pm, and confirmed we were going, and we had 2 beds at Lion's Gate in North Vancouver! Abby and I were grinning like idiots for the rest of the day.
Here's a few pics and vids of the trip home..
Twins snuggled into their transport isolette. Its a self contained incubator to keep them warm, on oxygen, and monitors their vitals. Dillon is in the front, Madeleine is cooched up behind him.
Edmonton NICU team saying goodbye. We will definitely miss everyone who took such good care of us there.
Here's the jet that we took home, operated by the BC Ambulance team. We had 2 pilots and 2 infant care transport medics that accompanied us in the plane.
Babie's getting loaded onto the plane in Edmonton.. -25C (brrrr)
Landing in Vancouver. You can see the plane shift back and forth in the crosswinds as we are lining up for the runway. At the end of the video, you can hear one of the medics say "There is something going on over there" He was looking at a large number of emergency vehicles that were at the end of the runway. They were responding to an emergency landing scare that was happening at the same time we were landing. Details are here.
That was our journey home! Here are a few more pics of the babies from earlier this week.
Dillon lounging about in some new duds..
Dad'n'Dillon
Madeleine expressing her true personality (looks like she has some nice sideburns as well)
Dillon trying a bottle for the first time (he took almost the whole bottle!)
Twins crashing on Mom's lap after a good lunch
9 comments:
You're HOME?!?!? Oh My Gosh!! That is excellent!! Welcome home Rivers Family!!! I am so happy for you all! I guess that your Christmas presents came early this year!! :)
Well don't even think about quitting this blog now that you're home... there's a lot of us out there that don't have regular contact with you all but are now addicted to those babies!! hee hee!!
What a journey... Congratulations you guys! YEY!!!
Jillian
Welcome home guys!!! So glad to hear that the day has finally come. We cannot wait to see the River's family all together for the holidays.
Lots of Love
Dave & Aidan
" MERRY CHRISTMAS"
Can you just stand it?? What a Christmas present, dreams do come true!!!
I just don't know if I can grasp that you are actually home and this is all really real!!
The lump in my throat watching you say goodbye to all those wonderful people, it must have been so bitter sweet for you all!!
Well there was "NO" doubt it my mind that you were going to pull through all of this and those amazing little souls have just overwhelmed us all!!
I think the four, sorry five (Sam) of you were so meant to be a family!
Could you maybe smile a little more Ab!! LOL
Well I have all the girls here in my office watching your amazing return home, I hope you know you've brought tears to all of our eyes, and the lump in my throat well I had to get someone else to answer the phone!!
I know you are going to be beyond overwhelmed, but I sooooooo need to see you guys, so "WHEN CAN I COME" Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I will be patient and wait on your call!
What an amazing journey for you all, and I can't tell you enough how proud we are of all of you and how much we love you!
Can't wait to meet you Dillon & Madeleine!!
Take care and the best is yet to come!! Enjoy Mommy & Daddy world & please hug each other for us!!
All of our love
Kelly & Larry
xo xo xo xo
WELCOME HOME !!!!!
Boy, when you guys decide to do something, you don't mess around...
as proven three months ago! haha
Well, what a MERRY Christmas this is going to be in the Rivers House, and there is no one more deserving!
As we've come to expect, your coverage of the journey home was awesome David.
You know that we all can't wait to see you and those marvellous little darlings....I'm afraid you have some busy times ahead of you,
but I'll bet you just can't wait to show them off !!!
I hope you know that you can't just cut us off cold turkey David..
Dillon and Madeleine are part of our world now too.
Congratulations to all of you for coming through this ordeal with such a strong family bond....you can just see it!
I bet home never looked so good, eh Ab????? haha
With loads of Love and hugs and kisses from Lil XOX XOX
WHAT A WONDERFUL HOMECOMING!!! They have grown so much, it is amazing. You both look terrific, I can't even imagine. Thanks again for all the updates and the pictures! Indeed, a very early and heartwarming Christmas gifts!!
Happy Holidays to all!
Barbara Holleman, Tampa, FL
Welcome home. Welcome home!
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!
(It is twins, right? - Can you tell I drive an Echo. . .)
Great coverage of flight home - you guys have a knack for putting us "right in the picture" -
Good luck in finding quiet time now - and I'm not speaking of the babies, even if you don't throw Christmas in the mix, you've got way too many friends (fans) who read this blog - pressure's on - and I'm sure the coffee's on as well.
Sending all the best wishes, across the miles,
June
Wow you are home...can't wait to meet the new members of your family!!
xo Jill
Welcome Home!! I'm glad to hear your finally all home. What a great Christmas gift. Can't wait to see you guys.
I am so happy to ready you are home, fantastic news!!!!
It has been a long haul for you both and must be wonderful to be reunited with the dogs and your own bed.
Congratulations, we are really happy for you.
Love Erin, Cheyann and Shane
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