2 weeks - Homecoming at long last!

I was released from the hospital on 3/14, four days after Gabriel was born. Since he hadn't quite learned to eat (suck/swallow/breathe reflex) and was still under 5 pounds he stayed another 10 days. Looking back now it is a blur, not because things were moving quickly but because I walked through my days in a fog. Even though I knew he needed to be there in order to get stronger I felt like everyday without him I was getting weaker. I had no other interest but him. Keven and I visited at least twice, if not three times a day. We were only allowed to hold him during feedings so as to conserve his energy.

Before he could be released to us we had to spend a night with him at the hospital and "nest," as they called it. If he ate all of his meals without the tube he could be released to us! The "nesting" room is a horrible joke. The most uncomfortable, small fold out couch. Needless to say he did it! It is almost like he too knew what was at stake. His meals at that time were 40ml, which is barely over an ounce. At two weeks old, almost to the minute, we left Chandler Regional Hospital as a complete family!

I think I must have stared at him for three days straight when we got him home. I couldn't stop watching him. He left the hospital at just over 5 pounds (5 lbs .05 ounces).


First Bath at home...


He was happy to be home too!