Home

We. Are. Home.

We went in yesterday morning hopeful that the facts recording would be event-free and we would be cleared to go home. However, like any normal day in the NICU (or in parenting in general) things did not go as planned. The doctor came in and let us know that everything looked normal for the most part, but her heart rate was really high at certain times for a few minutes. They were concerned that this could be the result of some cardio issues. While we appreciated their thoroughness, this was frustrating, discouraging, and to be honest a little annoying. She had been cleared by cardio already (without even needing a follow up appointment). On top of that we had been there for events when her heart rate was high and it was because she was crying due to pain (from her diaper rash, blood being taken, etc). The nurses had seen the same thing. The doctor told us that he wanted to run these tests and then she could go home tomorrow. We were so discouraged. We knew that she would be okay and were grateful for that, but the thought of leaving our baby girl for one more night was so heart breaking.

The tech arrived to do the EKG almost immediately after we met with the doctor. Then the phlebotomist arrived to take her blood. At this point the doctor said that he would rush the tests for today and if they were okay then we could go home. We felt encouraged, but also leery of getting our hopes up.  In this process, Pastor Ryan sent us these verses on weariness:

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:30-31 

 It was a needed reminder that while we may not know how the day would turn out, that God would give us strength for whatever we would be facing. He already knew how the day would go and we could rest in that.

We saw the cardiologist and he explained a lot of stuff about heart beats and heart rates. I'll be honest, I really did not care what he had to say since none of it necessarily applied to Hailey. I just wanted to know whether or not we should be concerned and if we could go home. He told us the person would be by to do the echocardiogram between 2-6pm. He also said he wanted to see some printouts of what her heart rate looked like when it was high. The nurse helped us connect a machine to get these printouts (avoiding a 24 hour monitor to provide the same info). The neonatologist cleared us for discharge as long as the cardiologist cleared us. The tech for the echo arrived at 2:15pm - such a blessing considering the time frame we were given! The cardiologist met the tech in the hallway and read the echo right away. He came in and said it looked normal. He took a look at the printout the nurse gave him and said that looked normal as well. He cleared us for discharge and let us know plans for follow up. Baby Hailey is going to have more EKG's & echocardiograms in her first year than most people have in the entire lives.

The nurses organized all of our information for discharge & hooked us up with a TON of hospital swag - diapers, wipes, thermometers, formula, bottles, pacifiers, etc (Ross Gellar would have been jealous). BellaBaby came and took some pictures (Access Code: ptho0303boutelle). Everyone was so good to us yesterday - from the doctors who hurried to get us out, to the nurses who were supportive and caring during an emotionally stressful day.

Around 5pm we finally got to take our sweet Hailey home! We were SO happy (& exhausted).

We came home to my parents, Emma, and our dear friends Mike & Kenzie. Mike & Kenzie had brought dinner, my parents had decorated, and Emma was beyond excited to see Hailey. It was such a warm welcome.

Our first day home has been surprisingly relaxing. Hailey is sleeping and nursing well. Emma is so excited to help whenever we ask her. It just feels good to be in our own space and get adjusted to our new normal of life. I certainly don't anticipate all days to feel this relaxing (especially after Eric goes back to work - God help me!) but for today I am so grateful.

Thank you all for following Hailey's unpredictable, grace-filled, unique, exciting birth story. We have been so touched by your stories, words of encouragement, cards, texts, comments, messages, and every prayer. We are incredibly blessed to have an incredible support system. Most of all we are grateful to God for providing everything we needed in each and every moment throughout this journey. He has always been so faithful to us and this time was no different.



I'll keep updating our blog here and there as we figure out life as a family of 4. Feel free to follow along, but for sure don't expect daily updates (I promise you'd begin to get bored pretty quick - we aren't usually so exciting). Here's to a much less eventful rest of the year!