Homecoming Queen

Her last moments at the hospital

...As in "Drama Queen!"  Well maybe not drama, necessarily.  Just that she started out her first couple days at home acting like we should somehow be at her every beck and call (good guess, Ella), and refusing to acknowledge that you're supposed to sleep at night (as many babies do).  It was a little concerning, though, because she seemed to be very uncomfortable and unconsolable, like her tummy was hurting pretty bad.  Then, of course, we wondered if she's not handling her medications well and if that will cause a problem.  But mostly, we think she was just used to getting pampered by all those great nurses at the N.I.C.U. :)

Together at home.  The boys were uncontrollably happy.

However, she's really getting quickly acclimated to a routine at home.  Last night was our best sleep yet and she hasn't been spitting up her milk nearly as often.  Part of it might be because we have been able to get a rhythm started with regard to handling her feedings and administering her medications.  She has 7 meds that need to be given in various amounts 4 times daily.  We think we've figured out a pretty good system of giving them to her so that she has the best chance of keeping them in her belly.  And she has been doing good at that lately.  By the way, you'd think it would be quick & easy to give Ella her tiny amount of medication but it takes a deceptively long time (pretty much the same as getting our boys ready to go somewhere - no matter how quickly you think you can get it done, it somehow always takes a half an hour.  We know all you parents out there can relate to that.)

With Thing 1...

... And Thing 2

Now, back to the day we got to bring her home:  We were a bit unprepared for how emotional it was leaving the hospital.  It hit both of us hard and unexpectedly.  It was a culmination of all those days & nights spent by her side.  All the blog updates, phone calls & texts.  All the prayers & requests for healing.  The ups & downs, the times we felt totally drained and the times we were energized.  The relationships we built with many of the nurses & doctors - and, somehow, even a few of the other babies there (we love you baby Harris!).  Mostly, it was the realization of just how far little Ella has come that brought unstoppable tears of pure joy to our eyes. 

Once we pulled up to our house, the tears turned to huge smiles when we saw how excited our boys were to have their little sister home.  They were just so happy and proud, it seemed, to be her big brothers. 

So in all, getting Ella home was definitely worth the wait.  Even if she is a drama Queen, 

(special thanks to our good friend, Andi with "andi mae photography" for helping us document her homecoming!)

By the way, we didn't intend for our last blog to seem like it was the end of our sharing.  Not at all!  It was just a quick thank you & "wrap up" of her time at the hospital because we were so exhausted from our stay there.  But its good to know that people want to continue following her journey! :)