The BIG Day

Just got off the phone with her nurse....today is the day-10:30 am. I have known today was the day, but it wasn't until she said "10:30" that it started to feel real. I hung up and called Pat right away and then DW. While rushing through my shower trying to get ready I could feel the adrenaline finally hit me- this is for real!

This whole situation has been very surreal. It has felt almost like watching someone elses life through a window. Avery was ours but she wasn't. Today that all changes, today Avery becomes ours and just ours. We are going to be solely responsible for taking care of her- for feeding, bathing, sleeping and diapering. She is finally ours! We are responsible for everything Avery- the good and the bad.

Off to get our girl we go....

The entire trip to the hospital I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. I was so excited. Pat was excited too. He looked calm but yet there was a peppiness that was just a little bit more than usual.

When we got up stairs we fed her for the last time in the NICU. While we were mid feed DW walked in, camera bag in toe. The fun was about to begin.

DW captured it all. She took pictures of Avery's last NICU feeding, her getting dressed in her pretty new dress, her NICU farewell stroll, and of course her exit. Daddy got a bit emotional as the final exit approached. I think the farewell tour to say bye to all the wonderful nurses set him over the edge. I guess wheeling Avery out made it finally seem real. I on the other hand was still feeling euphoric. Pat went down to get the car. And I went with Avery, DW, and her nurse down. On the way we even got to see one of Avery's old NICU pals. I hated to see Avery's pal was having to come in and be checked out, but it was so nice to see them. They were sweet sweet people. And as a result we were lucky enough to get some cute shots of Avery and Abigail together. It couldn't have been more perfect.

We strapped her in her car seat and were off...

DW followed us back to the house and captured Avery's arrival home as well as her meeting with our other child, Kacey (our German Shorthaired Pointer). Kacey has become very spoiled over her 7 1/2 years so we were very interested to see how she would take it. Surprisingly Kacey really wasn't all to interested in Avery. It was so wonderful having DW with us today. I honestly could not imagine today happening any other way than with her by our side. She is Avery's own personal Guardian Angel.

It's crazy to think the NICU is behind us. Our 30-45 minute trips and 1 1/2 hour long visits to and from the hospital a couple times a day will now be replaced with round the clock Avery time and every 3 hour feedings. Having her home comes along with it's own set of challenges, but nothing we are not ready for.

So far...

It is wonderful having her here. We have had 2 feedings so far. She eats and sleep and then does it again. I have to say one good thing about a NICU graduate is that they are already on a routine when they get home. Kacey pretty much ignores Avery except when she makes cute little baby noises. When she does that Kacey has to go check in on her. It is pretty cute. Pat also likes to check in on her. He can't help himself but to go over and stare at her. It is the sweetest thing.