The Boys Are Here!!!!!

The boys arrived on January 25, 2011 at 1106pm and 1107pm. Baby A weighed in at 5lbs 1oz and baby B weighed in at 4lbs 7oz. Baby A was given the name Beckett Glenn. Glenn is after Chris' father and Beckett is after a Christian martyr from the 1100's. Thomas Becket was murdered in a cathedral after refusing to convert his faith. One of his most famous quotes, "The last temptation is the greatest treason: to do the right deed for the wrong reason." Baby B was given the name Blake Raymond. Raymond after my father, and Blake after the poet, William Blake. William Blake was a very religious poet. One of his best known poems is the "Cradle Song." My favorite verse from that poem refers to Jesus as an infant. "Wept for me, for thee, for all, when He was an infant small. Thou His image ever see, heavenly face that smiles on thee."
Both boys are currently in the NICU. Both boys came out very pink and breathing on their own. However, they are having trouble eating and maintaining their temperature. We expected those issues. We never expected Blake to get sick though. He acquired a blood stream infection known as GBS. It is a strain of streptococcus. Most likely he acquired it due to my prolonged rupture of membranes. He is going to need 10 days of antibiotics and therefore he is getting a PICC line. (This is a peripherally inserted central catheter. In other words, it is a longer lasting IV that goes directly into the superior or inferior vena cava). When we found out that he was GBS + we were both shocked. We both know the side effects of GBS. We both know too damn much. But he is being treated, he has never been without antibiotics. In fact, I was even treated with penicillin during labor.
Right now things are a little crazy. The emotional highs and lows are overwhelming. The doubt that circulates within my mind is intoxicating. And the inevitable fact that I am a mother to two boys still is fairly illusive to me. It doesn't feel real. I feel as if I am visiting someone else's child. How could I possibly be this doubly blessed?
I know this update is short, but please know that we are very busy. I promise to update more completely as things calm down. But I wanted to make sure that I was able to thank everyone who walked this journey with us. From Susanne and Anne (mothers to preemies), to BethAnne, to Cat, whom I've never met. To all the women who supported us, followed our story, and prayed for our boys, you women continued to propel me into the next day and kept my faith alive.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as our boys still have some obstacles to overcome.

A little note: Anne and Chris, we just got the cookies today. Your kindness and well wishes made me cry. This experience has changed the way I will practice as a nurse. NICU parents walk down a treacherous road. A road that I took for granted, until now. You both are veterans of that road. A road that you walked and continue to walk with grace. Thank you.