Return to Rocksberg

We were a spectacle at the airport, as the winnebago sped up to the drop off point, we unloaded 4 suitcases, 2 car seats, 2 babies, 2 carry on bags full of milk, diapers and apnea monitors, a double snap and go, 2 parents, 2 grandparents and 1 golden retriever who had to go - if you know what I mean! They dumped us out and sped off just as quickly as they arrived. Now we were really on our own. After being felt sorry for by the check-in lady who didn't charge us for the extra luggage, giving us the twin, new parent discount, having the breast milk tested for bombs and making it through security, we were seated in separate isles next to a pack of boy scouts. I forgot to mention that the epicenter of the swine flu outbreak was NY, namely Columbia University ER, where everyone was trying to get medical attention. It had just infected thousands and killing hundreds in south america and the scare it was causing in the US was insurmountable. Schools closed all over manhattan, people were refraining from eating in public places and riding the subway - no one was safe and no one was sure. Fortunately, we did not see the deaths they did in Mexico, but we did know that children in group settings were the most infectious and contagious. I was paranoid that it was going to get into the NICU and be devastating for all the premature infants there, namely mine. The nurses traveled to work on the subway and passed through the triage center set up in the lobby of the ER on their way to the NICU, as did I and all the other parents. So, I made it through that, and now I was faced with being in an enclosed space with 30 coughing boy scouts with recycled air. My heart sank, I just wanted this to be over, I was so worried for my precious bundles who were only 3 months of age with an immature immune system AND I wanted to breast feed upon takeoff to help Chloe equalize so she wouldn't be uncomfortable! I was in an isle seat juggling nipple shields, pacifiers, boppy and nursing wrap - we got it done. And all went well - as far as I can remember. I just wanted to get everyone home safe. As soon as we landed in Albuquerque, I pulled out my portable oxygen sat probe and checked their oxygen - we were holding steady around 93% - good enough. Time to go home...

we made it - it was time to set up the Rocksberg-step-down-nursery!