Come Full Circle

As most of you already know, we are back in Logan. Actually Jonah and Mom are back in Logan, Dad is in Provo and Zipporah, Miles and Parker are currently in Wyoming. The Hamiltons are Livin la vida loca this summer! Since I am such a slacker blogger I will take the liberty of back tracking a week to July 23rd beginning at approximately 2:30pm MST. This is the first time that I am asked by the charge nurse if we would be interested in having Jonah back transported to Logan Regional Medical Center. This comes as a huge surprise to me because I had questioned a nurse a few weeks back about this topic and she indicated that insurance companies don't often authorize the transport of babies to other locations unless medically necessary. I thought that was the end of the story but this charge nurse said that she would make some calls and look into whether Logan Regional could accomodate Jonah. At 3:00pm MST I hear back from her that it can be arranged and that he will be sent the following day.

At this point I am starting to reel from the shift in plans when the nurse comes to the cribside again and informs me that a transport team is available that day and will be leaving in less than two hours. Now I am starting to get all emotional and not sure if I am ready to leave Salt Lake (my zone of comfort for the past three months). It was a really hard day for me. Malik likened it to my leaving the 2East maternity wing after having Jonah because I kept dragging my feet and thinking of excuses of why we should stay. Then I talked with Jonah's primary nurse Maria (our fav at the U) and she assured me that moving was a good sign that Jonah is doing well and that it will be good for our family as well. Malik also helped me to realize that this move is an answer to a prayer- maybe not voiced but understood by God none the less. So I left the hospital in a dash to check out of the Ronald McDonald House and prepare to leave with Jonah. Luck (or providence) would have it that I had already cleaned out the room earlier that morning and only needed to finish up. I met up with my good friend and bed rest buddy Patty who helped me to get on my way. I will miss her now that we are separating but we know that she and Little Laurie are where they need to be. :)

The transport team was ready at 4:00pm so as soon as I arrive back at the hospital the ambulance was one the road. I was disappointed to learn that I couldn't ride in the back with Jonah but had to be up front with the driver. I was amazed at how quickly it all happened- there was no time to prepare myself mentally or emotionally. So I have come full circle... I left Logan by ambulance in the middle of the night and have now returned by ambulance, only this time with our miracle boy.

So we arrived in Logan after 6:00pm MST and Jonah was scheduled to eat at 5:00pm MST so he is hungry. After a quick tour they take us to his "room" #11 and let me feed him. The first thing I learn is that when the U sent my milk down they neglected to put it on ice. So the entire store of breastmilk was thawed and could only be kept for another 24 hours. I am having the worst luck with stored milk this time around! (our freezer at home also shut down and caused me to lose tons of milk there)

Life in the Logan NICU is very different from the U of U. It is taking Malik and I some time to adjust to the changes. The biggest disappointment about Logan is their sibling policy; they only allow siblings under 13 years old ONE visit with the baby for the baby's entire NICU stay. Its only a Level 1 NICU so most of the babies don't stay that long but still, ONE visit? Come on! I guess that I was bound to make comparisons but I am trying to have a good attitude about the switch. There are some great nurses and staff here in Logan so I'll stop complaining for now.

The kids arrived in Logan on Friday night and were happy to see mom.(however Parker continued to call me Grandma for three days) Malik was tired from all his driving and so it was up to me to get the kids to bed that first night. And let me tell you it was no piece of cake. I finally had to use a divide and conquer method. :) It was after midnight before they were all down for the night. Welcome back to motherhood!!!


Both Miles and Zipporah took their sibling visit this weekend. (Miles on Saturday and Zipporah on Sunday) They both wanted to help give Jonah a bath so I asked the nurse if he could have a bath two nights in a row and she agreed. Both kids were really good with the baby and will be big helper to mom once Jonah comes home. I have to mention this because it made me smile... when Miles got into the elevator to head to the NICU he asked "What's with the fancy elevator?" I guess the Women's Center in Logan is a bit newer than the University Hospital. :) Miles also go to read Goldilock and the Three Bears to Jonah and when asked to sing a song he chose the "family song" (I love Daddy, he loves me....etc. through the entire family) Zipporah told the Three Little Pigs story and sang Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star. I will post those pictures when I can find them.......

I love this picture of Jonah! I'm not sure if he is rooting or just being

squirmy but it shows off some of his personality.

Parker took a nap and decided to use Miles as a pillow. Miles is a really loving big brother when he wants to be.