A Letter to Talmage

 Dear Talmage,
You are 25 days old today. It has been 14 days since I last held you and my arms and heart were aching for you. The doctors gave us enough positive news on your development that we took it as an excuse to bring the whole family to meet you. Honestly, we knew that once you met your siblings, you would fight the rest of the way to get home to us. It worked for Lili.

It felt so good to hold you again and feed you (you are such a good eater now taking all your feeds from a bottle!). I can't wait until you can come home with us permanently. Your nurse today was Angel, and I think he is an Angel. He takes such good care of you and makes sure I have everything including information that I need. He probably thinks I cry a lot since he was your nurse on the day I had to leave you and then today when I got to hold you again. Just know your mom cries a lot.

Angel worked his magic and got you moved to a private room within the NICU that has a window so that your siblings could see you since they aren't allowed to be with you yet. Lili kept raising her hands above her head to show that she is so big now that she is a big sister. I doubt anyone else thinks all 15 pounds of her is so big, but she will be a great sister to you. Gavin and Dallin blew you kisses, wrestled on the ground, then blew you more kisses. They were very interested in your body parts and wanted to make sure you had all 10 fingers and toes. They had to check out the monitors on your tummy and on your foot. I'm so glad that all your IV's and oxygen are gone.

Angel made more magic happen when he got permission for Dallin to come in and meet you. Dallin wasn't allowed to hold you yet much to his dismay, but he could come in and get a better look at you. Being the baby hog that he is, he loved being with you! He told you a story about a snake, sang "I Am a Child of God," and after seeing a picture of a knight in the hospital, told you that you will be a knight and shining armor and protect Lili. Dallin is a great big brother and of course really struggled with the rule to not touch you. He can't wait to cuddle with you!

Dad and I took turns hanging with you while the other was with the kids in the family center at the hospital. This center is awesome. They had a pizza party today, a toy donation where your siblings came back to our apartment with new legos to build and books to read...perfect for a family far away from home, toys especially for Lili, and movies. This family center makes it so much easier to spend time with you and it was especially nice today after spending two days in the car driving to be with you!

We are staying in apartments near the hospital that families stay in when they have a kid in the hospital. I'm so glad we could get in these apartments. It is nice to be so close to you so we can come and go easier. We will be here until you are discharge which may be a little while longer since you are struggling with coming off of your medicine. You can't leave the hospital until you are off this medicine. I know it is tough but you have a lot of people praying for you and you are one tough boy!

Love,
A Very Happy but Anxious Mommy

Dallin's pictures of Talmage