Trip down memory lane

Today was the every-other-year Neonatal ICU reunion at the hospital where the kids were born. I love going to these things, wouldn't miss it, truthfully. If you get past the realization of just how many kids go through the NICU (you can tell by looking at the hundreds and hundreds of families at this event)........it's a fun time for everyone and a great chance to see the doctors and nurses that you remember from those stressful days.

It takes a special kind of wonderful person to work in the NICU, no question. I think it would be incredibly easy to burnout, from the intensity of the job and the ups and downs (more downs than ups, sometimes?). But the 2 nurses we knew best were there, and it was great to see them and get pics taken. They both remembered us instantly, which was amazing considering that it's been 4 years since little E was discharged. Think about it: we've only got these 2 nurses to remember, but they've got countless families coming in and out each week......you could easily expect that it would be very hard to remember any of them, especially from years ago. But they did!

There were jump castles, a petting zoo (goats, pigs, baby ducks, rabbits), pony rides, food, face painting, balloons, etc. Everything that a kid could want! :) Got some great pics, here are a few of the better ones....

These are pics taken with our fav nurses:






These balloon creations didn't even survive the morning, but he loved them while they lasted:


Being there today reminds us, again, how lucky we were to have access to such a wonderful, nationally-recognized Children's Hospital to care for our boys. If you've gotta have preemies in SC, MUSC Children's Hospital is the place to go. We met families who were traveling from halfway across the state every day to visit their kids......thank goodness we lived in the same town. Thanks, Sarah and Carlene, and everyone at MUSC for all that you did for us, and continue to do every day for the miracle babies!