I'm Home!!

April 1st, 2010 at 2:53 P.M. Alaska Time, we walked out the door of the NICU!!

This is no April Fool's joke. . .

When Gabriella started to take in adequate volumes of milk and gain weight steadily we were given to okay to go home!! I didn't know until the day before discharge. Sorry, I have not updated the blog in a while but it had gotten a little hectic trying to pack and clean out of lodging. One begins to accumulate 'stuff' after two and a half months of staying there.

There were many people at the NICU that made each day seem to go by faster and always seem to be encouraging me.

The pediatric surgeon is a wonderful person, he was always ready to answer my questions and when I had a really tough day he gave me a hug! His family had experience with the NICU and so he could readily relate to all the emotions I was experiencing.

I was blessed to have one of my favorite nurses see us off on our last day. She always had special stories to share about her life and it was always very colorful and exciting (a great way to take the mind off other things). She was always very special to us and I enjoyed her spunky nature. I'd like to share something she wrote in the book, Fox in Socks that she presented to Gabriella,

"Dear Gabriella,
Be who you are
Say what you feel
Those that mind
Don't matter
Those that matter
Won't mind.
Live life fully, laugh more than you should
Love endlessly without fear.
God bless you and your wonderful parents.
Love them VERY much!
Teach Daddy the "Tweedle Beetle Battle"
Love you much,

Nurse Mary

There were many nurses that took great care of my baby and had a wealth of knowledge and experience. They made me feel that my baby was in good hands. The nurses that stood out the most in my mind were: Tracy, Lisa, Eric, Nuha, Kayla, Valerie, Leslie & Bernice. They were very attentive and made time to listen to my concerns and always seemed to know what to say to put my mind at ease. I was able to say good-bye to most of them and thank them for what they have done for us.

We were able to catch the same flight that my Mom and the boys took to go back home on Friday the 2nd. These past four days have been wonderful to watch baby adjust nicely to home-life. She feels so good in my arms without having to drag along wires or tubes. I am very blessed to have this little angel face home to love, raise and teach. She, in turn, has taught me the power of faith, community and love.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and for your words of encouragement. I ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers as this transition to home-life. Pray that Gabriella continues to grow and gain weight. These are our goals right now. I will keep the blog updated with pictures and milestones as we encounter them.

Thanks for all the wonderful support you have given us. It has really helped the days pass a little easier.