Home at Last
103 days. Between my bed rest and Jude's NICU stay, our family had lived at the hospital for almost four months. A third of a year. We spent Valentine's, President's day, St. Patrick's, Easter, Mother's day, and Memorial day there. I seemed to relive each one as I tearfully stared at Jude in his car seat and Ben signed the discharge papers.
I never thought this day would come.
The waiting was over. Our baby was finally ready to come home. I had longed for this day months, but felt so nervous and anxious about having Jude at home. I had been scared to bring home a full-term healthy baby, so you can imagine how bad I wanted to poo my pants at the thought of bringing one home who had been 15 weeks early.
But as the discharge process rolled on, I realized it was time. There's no kindergarten in the NICU and babies belong at home with their families. So I took a deep breath and continued gathering our things. Jude's room looked pretty baren with the three months of stuff packed away.
We made the victory goodbye walk through the unit and cried with and hugged the many people who took part in Jude's care. Each one of them will hold a special place on my heart forever. I mean, how can you forget someone who saves your child and makes your dream of being a mother come true? You can't.
As we exited the NICU, my heart sunk a little. I was going to miss this place. Let me rephrase: I would miss being a mom in this place. I would miss the people and the opportunity to get to know them past being co-workers. I would miss the simplicity of life here. How safe Jude was here. The love and miracles that are abounding every single day in this unit.
The NICU will never be the same for me. Memories of my son are everywhere and in everyone. The NICU was our first home as a family and I will never forget the love and joy we felt.
I never thought this day would come.
The waiting was over. Our baby was finally ready to come home. I had longed for this day months, but felt so nervous and anxious about having Jude at home. I had been scared to bring home a full-term healthy baby, so you can imagine how bad I wanted to poo my pants at the thought of bringing one home who had been 15 weeks early.
But as the discharge process rolled on, I realized it was time. There's no kindergarten in the NICU and babies belong at home with their families. So I took a deep breath and continued gathering our things. Jude's room looked pretty baren with the three months of stuff packed away.
We made the victory goodbye walk through the unit and cried with and hugged the many people who took part in Jude's care. Each one of them will hold a special place on my heart forever. I mean, how can you forget someone who saves your child and makes your dream of being a mother come true? You can't.
As we exited the NICU, my heart sunk a little. I was going to miss this place. Let me rephrase: I would miss being a mom in this place. I would miss the people and the opportunity to get to know them past being co-workers. I would miss the simplicity of life here. How safe Jude was here. The love and miracles that are abounding every single day in this unit.
The NICU will never be the same for me. Memories of my son are everywhere and in everyone. The NICU was our first home as a family and I will never forget the love and joy we felt.
This is so neat!
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