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It is New Year's eve in 2005. Traditionally, up until this year, we have been with family celebrating until midnight at which point bottles of champagne are opend and the traditional Singhalese dish of coconut milk rice is cooked and eaten and dancing till dawn....This year, I had two babies in the NICU, born at 32 weeks. We spend the day in the NICU, and drive to Kent to have dinner with family. This time, there is no music. There are no celebrations. That evening, I remember bursting into tears. We have a quick dinner and drive back to the NICU in Homerton, London to be with our babies when the clock strikes midnight.

Here are some pictures taken that evening,

Changing a nappy (diaper)

The clock strikes midnight and the ward is empty. The nurses are having a small party in the corridor. As the clock strikes 12, Olaf and myself are holding one baby each.

Time goes on another week goes by. The boys are examined for brain bleeds and the medics find the bleeds have resolved and stabilised. Now we will just have to hope for the best and pray these bleeds will not result in developmental delays. Only time will tell. There are no guarantees given to us. It is a question of 'wait and see'.

One afternoon, I am alone in the NICU as Olaf was at work. At this time, Joshua has been progressing well on four hourly feedings, but Ryan stuck on 3 hourly feedings. A Nurse tells me it is time to take Joshua home as he is ready. I tell her I do not want to do that and want to take both home at the same time. I am told Joshua is likely to catch an infection if he stays at the NICU (!):roll:

I call Olaf and tell him. He leaves work right away and get to the NICU. I call my cousin,Dr Madu Abay who is a Registrar in Paediatrics at Southampton Generel and ask her advice. She tells me it is a load of BS what the Nurse is saying and they need the incubator, hence the reason they want to ship Joshua out. I go back into the ward and speak to the Consultant in charge and explain to him what has been said. He smiles as he knows the Nurse was just trying to pull a fast one on me and reassures me he will do his best to get Ryan ready to go home. We are quielty relieved. I could not understand the logistics of how we could have kept one baby in the hospital and one at home.

Olaf's birthday is approaching - 19th January. We wonder whether the babies can get home in time to celebrate Daddy's birthday. Endless days and nights go on at the NICU. Then one day, after the rounds by the Consultants, I get the news I have been waiting to hear. The babies are ready to go home!!!  I am so happy. I ask them whether I can take them both home tonight. They said they do not want to release the babies in the evening. Best to take them home during the day. Find out how Ryan and Joshua spent the first night at home next!!! Did we hire a Baby Nurse? Maternity Nurse? 2 Nannies? Parents around to help?