Home At Last!!!!

We finally made it home! It has been quite a week! I am not even sure where to begin with it all. Wednesday was an emotional day for me. I think I cried the whole last hour we were in the NICU.  A couple of the nurses were crying too, so of course that adds to the emotion. One of them was our buddy nurse Chris, and one was one of our favorite Baby Steps nurses, Carolyn. Chris has been a very special nurse to our family since the day he rescued Ryleigh while I was doing Kangaroo Care. He really invested time into not just Ryleigh, but getting to know our family. He was good to me each time I was up there. He made sure I had water, knew where my phone was, (I tend to misplace things) and he always checked up on me. He brought humor into stressful situations. I am going to miss having his eyes and ears on Ryleigh everyday. Carolyn fell in love with Ryleigh one day when she was taking care of her. She is really silly, and full of energy. The emotions came from not just missing people though, but from knowing that we had made it to the finish line. This was the day we had been praying for, and longing for since the day she was born. Ryleigh finally was making it outside of the walls of the NICU. "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"Psalms 118:24
One of our last pictures of Ryleigh in her NICU bed

Some of the staff working the day of discharge

We had to get one with our Buddy Nurse, Chris

One last picture of her last room

Carrie wasn't working on the day of discharge, so we got a picture prior. She provided so much encouragement to me when I needed it most.

First Car Ride

Prior to going home, we stopped by to pick up Aubrey at Tami and Zack's house. This was emotional for me too, our girls finally got to meet!

When we got home we had friends and family there to welcome us with balloons, cheers and prayers. It was a great way to come home. We are overwhelmed with how blessed we have been throughout this entire journey. We have had donations given to us from friends, family, and people we don't even know. Our friends have made us months worth of meals, grocery trips, and provided money for a maid, and yard service, as well as daily prayers.  It has been hard for me to accept so much from our loved ones, but it has been so incredibly helpful. I can't imagine what we have done without it all.

Releasing of the ballons!

First Family Picture of the Four of Us

Our first couple of days home  have gone pretty well. We are living off of less sleep now, but I think I still have the adrenaline rush of bringing her home. I don't feel too tired, yet! It has been wonderful not having to plan for hospital trips, phone calls to the NICU, etc. We all got to eat a meal together last night, and it felt really good. It's been nice just enjoying the little things like walks, baths, and playing together. One of my favorite moments was  seeing Aubrey peeking over the bassinet at Ryleigh. She has been really sweet to her so far.

First time for Aubrey to hold Ryleigh

Aubrey reading Ryleigh a story

Our first walk together

Ryleigh after her first home bath

This was one of Aubrey's favorite spots. Ryleigh seems to like it too.

Enoying our first meal together

Ryleigh slept right through it

Although we are home now, I hope I don't ever lose sight of the miracle Ryleigh is. As of now, she seems like a regular newborn. We have yet to use the oxygen, although we do sometimes use the monitor to make sure she is doing okay. She is nursing all but 3 feedings, which has also been nice. I think our biggest concerns come from wanting to make sure she is keeping her weight up. It's always hard to predict how much milk your baby is getting with nursing. It has been great just getting to do the everyday things with Ryleigh and Aubrey both. Walks to the park, putting Aubrey down for a nap in her own bed, seeing Ryleigh in her bassinet and car seat, etc..I just love my girls! I wanted to post one last picture of before and after with the dollar bills!

Beginning Stats
Length 32.5 cm
Head Circ. 20.5 cm
Weight 1 pound 10 oz

Ending Stats

Length 46. 5 cm

Head Cir. 32. 8 cm

Weight 6 pounds 14 oz!!!

Some of you have been following our blog since Ryleigh was born. Thank you for all the love, support, encouragement, emails and prayers we have received. Some of you I have never even met, but we have felt the love and support throughout all of this. You have lifted us up when we didn't have the strength to do it on our own.  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..."
 Ecclesiastes 3:1