He's Home!

Samuel came home to us after 104 days in the NICU. Last Friday, the 16th, he was discharged and my mom and I went to go get him. I felt like I was getting the same wonderful gift a second time but in better shape;) He left the hospital with no need for lasik surgery on his eyes because his eyes are mature and are PERFECT (for a 26 weeker, we hear that usually they DO need the lasik surgery), no hernias (which are very common in preemies), no oxygen, no monitors, no need for any kind of surgery, passing his hearing screening, carseat challenge (one hour in the carseat without desatting), no brain bleeds, his PDA (heart murmur) is barely there if at all, and he left the NICU without getting any infections. Samuel is perfect! His due date was a week ago from today so it was very fitting that he came home to us a few days after. He is doing well here. It's nice to not have everything attached to him and to be able to get to know him more. He sure is a miracle. Everything about him is a miracle. Heavenly Father has really blessed our lives to have this little miracle baby. It's been such a long road but it was all worth it to get this little one here into our family. I admit there were times during the pregnancy I wanted to give up because it was so hard with all of the trauma my body went through being a high risk pregnancy, but he was meant to be here that is for sure. There were so many times that Samuel could've given up as well with all of the pregnancy problems and especially with no amniotic fluid, and also when he was in the NICU when they had to do so many different things to him to keep him going. He is a fighter, our little fighter and I think he has proven to us that that is who he is and what he's going to be like. It's crazy to think that the perinatologists that were working with us led us to think that he probably wouldn't make it. We thought we were going to give birth to a dead baby. But no, he had a fight in him that has led us to believe and know he is here to stay and be a part of our family and we are grateful it'll be forever.

A couple nights before he came home I roomed in with him at the hospital. Typically you room in just before the baby goes home to get used to him and so you're more comfortable with him. I did that a couple of weeks before and we found that he definitely wasn't ready to go home. This time he was ready. I was ready enough. I forgot how hard it is to have a newborn! But, again, it is so worth it!

Here is the rooming in room. That was a long night;)


Here is his primary day shift nurse, Gail. We loved both his primary day and night shift nurses!! They were such a blessing. Unfortunately his primary night shift nurse, Suzanne wasn't able to make it but both nurses have since called to see how everything is going. What great people and great friends.


Happy and nervous momma;)


Just before we left.
My Dad couldn't wait to hold Samuel.

Check out those cheeks!
He loves his little swing.
Noel pulled a few funny faces when Samuel came home. I think she was excited.

CHEESE!
Noel liked the swing too!
Noel also is a big helper.

Noel sporting her SUTTER MEMORIAL NICU BIG SISTER shirt.
Happy Grandma.
Our little cherub.
WELCOME HOME SAMUEL! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU!!!