Today marks a bittersweet milestone for the Fugate family as two of their four quadruplets were released from the neonatal intensive care unit at Batson Children’s Hospital.
Kelsey Roxanne Fugate snuggles in her dad's arm before her release from the neonatal intensive care unit at Batson Children's Hospital.
Kristen Sue and Kelsey Roxanne are going home a mere three months after their birth and two weeks past their expected due date of May 2. Kenleigh Rosa and Kayleigh Pearl are staying for at least another week, possibly two.
Mom Kimberly said since their Feb. 8th births, the whole experience has been a roller coaster.
“I’m just trying to take it day by day.”
For her part, Kimberly is looking forward to being home, having spent only three nights there since the quads were born. She misses her oldest daughter, Katelyn, and hasn’t even had a chance to see the nursery. For the last three months, the Ronald McDonald House on the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus has been her home.
“I don’t know what any of us – my family or any of the other families there – would’ve done without them,” she said. “To be able to be here with our children – whether in the NICU or the PICU or whatever is going on – is just overwhelming.”
Kimberly Fugate buckles in daughter Kelsey Roxanne for her first car ride home.
Kimberly and husband Craig plan to make the journey from their home in Jayess to Jackson as much as possible to see Kenleigh and Kayleigh and anticipate many follow-up visits with the girls’ doctors for the next couple of years.
When asked what she’s looking most forward to, she said, “To be able to have all five of my daughters home together.”
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