Home Sweet Home

Thursday was one of the craziest days we have had since the Monday we had Claire.

I woke up Thursday morning and the NP asked me if I was ready to take her home. I was completely caught of guard because I thought we would have to stay a couple days with her on just breast milk and without the tube.  She told me that I could have her anytime that day and she could room in with us that night. I was beyond excited but then I remember that we had another big thing happening that day. We recently found a lot in Burnet that we fell in love with and put in an offer on. We got it and the closing was set for Thursday afternoon. So I had to be away from Claire for the longest stretch I have ever done- from 12:30 until 8:00 that night. Dylan and I went and signed the closing papers in Burnet and then came home, ate dinner with the kids and put them to bed and then headed back to the hospital.

Site of our Future Home! 

That night one of the nurses had graciously come in on her day off to refresh/teach us infant CPR. We were planning on doing it over the weekend but lucky us weren't going to be there.  Now Dylan is officially prepared to do CPR on an infant. Woo Hoo!

One of the best people I have ever met. She was our CPR instructor and a favorite nurse.

Thursday night was one of the best nights ever. You take for granted the fact that you get to have your baby in the room you after you have it.  Well if I ever have another one and I doubt that I will after this experience, but if I do I will cherish those days in the hospital a little more. It was so nice to be able to hold her and cuddle her on my chest without having to put her back or feel weird cause I had been sitting in the nursery for over an hour and a half. They nurse took her at 4:00 to do her car seat study and weigh her and I was so nervous that she wouldn't pass or gain weight and we would be stuck there another night. When the nurse wheeled her back in around 7 and told me she passed the test and had gained 77 grams I was so excited. I woke Dylan up to tell him and couldn't stop smiling all morning. I was packed and ready to go by 8:30 and just waiting.....and waiting......and waiting...... Finally I went into the nursery to check and make sure they hadn't forgotten about us and to evaluate my milk storage situation and the NP was getting our stuff together right then.

Love all her crazy blankets! The nurses go crazy with the fabrics! 

 Claire's last assessment was so bittersweet because I was already missing the nursing staff. They had become my family and I loved everyone of them.  The thought of not seeing them on a daily basis is really upsetting but I know that is how it should be.  So glad that I am leaving on a good note and that my experience was so exceptional. On the way out I stopped and stared at my empty room or "house" for the last 24 days, and Dylan said, "saying goodbye to your room." I had to hold back tears, 90% happy tears and 10% sad to go tears.

The best Mother/Baby nurse- we had her with Carly too! Dylan and her talked about fishing everynight

One of our favorite night nurses!

When I got home my mom and kids were standing in the yard waiting for us. My mom started taking pictures of the kids getting to see her.


When we walked into the house there was a huge banner hanging from the stairwell that said: Welcome Home Claire.  I just broke down, it was finally real. There is nothing like a best friend, who by the way just had a baby as well, who comes to your house before you get there with a homemade banner but leaves without taking any credit for it. Then not much later I get a text from one of my other really good friends who tells me to go look on my bench. I found a handmade card and a cookie cake that said:  Welcome Home Claire.  Seriously love my friends!

Wouldn't have been able to be so strong and stay so positive without my awesome friends and family who were soooo supportive everyday. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and good thoughts. We know God has something super big planned for Miss. Claire. She is definitely a little miracle, considering all the problems this pregnancy has brought us she is here and is a healthy strong little fighter. We got to take her home at 35 weeks and 3 days, much sooner than I think anyone anticipated.

Love you all!!!!