Earl took this picture at church. Can you tell that Sammi was starting to feel yucky. I took her to the Dr on the 19th and she has ear and sinus infection.

Suzy wearing her first church dress. We tried hose but they would have gone over her head and that was without stretching them. Haha.

Well we have been home a week. And I need sleep. I get to sleep at night for 1 1/2 hour intervals then Suzy wakes up and wants to eat again. Every 3 hours on the hour right now. But I am not complaining just stating that 5 hours of sleep straight in a row would be nice.

We went to the circus here in town the other night. The only animals that they had were their pet dogs. Which when the owner rolled the wagon out that they were riding in one of the dogs jumped out and the owner ran him over with the wagon. The rest of the circus was acrobats and magic. Suzy stayed home with Daddy.

Suzy had her first Dr. appointment. She now weighs 4 lbs 5 oz. She also has a plugged tear duct which causes her to have a matted right eye every time she sleeps.

Everyone down here says that Suzy looks like Earl. What do you think?

Our first night home. The girls love holding Suzy and helping feed her and even changing wet diapers. We are so glad that Suzy is home and we feel very blessed to have our 3 girls. Last night was VERY long waking up every hour with her. About 5am I put Suzy in her carseat and she slept for 3 hours. Iwas kicking myself for not thinking of that at the beginning of the night. She was sleeping in her bed ,but flat ,which at the hospital she was reclined and I think being flat she didn't like it.

We went to see Suzy yesterday after church. She had gained and is now 3 lbs 6 1/2 oz. So she is back to her birth weight. They were going to weigh her last night as they do every night and in fact I need to call but right now is the time that the babies are getting fed. And I don't want to disturb the nurse so I am calling later. When I got home I was horrifed at the state of my house. 3 puppies, 1 dog, a rabbit and 3 fish, not to mention a husband that did the best he could do with laundry and the house but is used to me doing it my way has caused me to wait until Earl comes home from work and then go see Suzy. We have been told by parents of other premies and the nurses that the Dr will tell us that there can be no pets inside with Suzy so I have already started getting rid of some animals outside is not gone completely. My brother has been helping me I hope that Earl doesn't get mad but there are 2 dogs in the back yard that are going to find new homes this week. The good news is that they are my dogs and I can do what I want with them so BYEBYE. Would it be weird to ask you to pray that it isn't hard on Earl not having any animals inside and that we would be able to thin out the population as it is? I would appreciate it and of course keep praying for our family. I have noticed some signs of stress in Beth and Sammi. Like emotional crying spells for Beth and Sammi has gone back to needing naps and wanting me to feed her and take her to the bathroom ect.. This has been a long stressful experience but I read something the other day about God knowing what we can handle and the fact that we have this trial means He knows we can handle it. One day at a time. Love you guys.

Susannah Kay Bickford

3lbs 6 oz, 15.75 inches long

5 1/2 weeks early.

This picture was Sat Feb 28 right beforre we came home I was showing the girls Suzy for the 3rd time. Because it is RSV season they are not alowwed to come into the NICU. The nurses are kind enough to allow me to take Suzy to the double doors and show them. The picture of the girls is on the bed in our room at the Ronald McDonald House. That house was a blessing for our little family.
Suzy is now in a crib and is taking a bottle every other feeding. We hope we can bring her home soon. It was hard to come home but I prayed and left her in Gods hands and the nurses. Soon she'll be home hibernating with all of us. Keep us in your prayers.