A long night

Well, it's finally happened. After being off since February, Callie is returning to the working world.

We had our first taste of it Saturday night. The hospital called her in for a short shift to fill in. She was gone a little more than six hours.

IT WAS HELL. I know I've been leaving her home to take care of Saxon and Ella since they came home over a month ago. But they LOVE her. I'm serious, there is no comparison to the bond between mother and child. They like me, but they prefer their momma, no doubt about it.


(Ella can now sit with the assistance of this foam chair)

I walked Callie out to the van, and came back into the house to be greeted by crying babies. Actually, that doesn't come close to describing it. Wailing, screaming, totally inconsolable babies is closer, but still not quite there.

It was like they could sense that Callie had gone. Nothing I could do could calm them from total body-shuddering cries. How long can a baby cry like that? I'm not sure, but mine held out for an hour. Finally spent, they fell into a restless sleep.

They slept for about 45 minutes and woke up crying. The only way I could stop them was to hold them. So I spent most of the night rocking babies. I did manage to slip out to the kitchen and wash a few dishes, but I got nothing else done.

I always believed Callie had a tough job caring for the babies. That's why I always said "That's okay, honey." when she would tell me all the things she wanted to do, but didn't have time for. My belief was confirmed in that six-hour stretch Saturday.

Callie works again tonight, but this time its a full 12-hour shift. With drive time, plus arriving early and staying late to receive/give report at the beginning and end of the shift, I'm looking at about 14 hours on my own.

Pray for me.