Day 81- October 7, 2011

...and we're back! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted, but so much has gone on that I had no choice but to take a break from posting! Well...after 56 days in the NICU, our little man finally came home! It was a very emotional day because, even though we were happy to be leaving the hospital, we had made so many bonds with wonderful people who have taken care of our son as if he were their own! I tried my best to remember all of the nurses' names and give them all a card, and a little something that we had left over from Noah's baby shower. I hoped they appreciated the gesture.

Once we got home, Noah definitely gave us a run for our money, and let us see what we were "missing out on" while he was in the hospital. He woke up every 3hrs like clock work for feedings, and the rest of the time I promise  I just watched him sleep and hoped he was breathing ok! Needless to say, the sleepless nights started as soon as we got home! Carl and I turned and asked each other questions everytime we heard him make a sound because we weren't sure if he was supposed to be making it or not. Carl stayed up with me for every feeding and diaper change (which i knew would go out the window in the next couple of weeks). Overall, I think our adjustment to having the 3rd person in our family home went as smoothly as expected.

Over the next few weeks, we got into a routine, with Carl doing night time shifts while I slept, and me picking back up between the 3-6am shift. We've adjusted our lives to meet the needs of Mr.Noah and have gotten familiar with his personality! He's an awesome kid! He only cries when he is either hungry or has a gas. We have yet to hear the "i'm dirty" cry because Noah doesn't feel the need to let us know that he is sitting in pee or poop. Actually, everytime we go to change him, he fusses. I'm assuming it's because the wipes are cold, and he doesn't like them all that much. Plus...he had gotten circumcised a few days before he left the hospital, and we were left to take care of it as it healed...which i'm sure hurt a little bit. Otherwise, life is great! I love being a mom! I hate waking up every 3-4 hours, but seeing this kid's big 'ol eyes looking up at me while I feed him, reminds me that I'm doing this for all the right reasons.

Carl and I know that Noah is definitely our best work yet. Carl keeps talking to Noah about his "baby sister"....but I don't know who that is! LOL. It is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to early to be talking about more kids. Can we wait until Noah turns 1 to even start talking about it? I want to enjoy my son, and provide him with the undivided attention that he so well deserves. I am so excited to see where God will take my family in the next year, and how much Noah will grow and hit every milestone that he is supposed to during that time.

I have to admit that our family is truly blessed. God has been awesome to us, even when we didn't deserve it. This goes to show you that God is a great God, and will never leave nor forsake you. He also will make sure to keep all of His promises that He makes to you. How can you not love Him? How can you not honor Him?! He is SO worthy to be praised. Lord, I thank you for my family and all of the blessings you have showered upon us. Thank you for making Noah be home, happy and thriving! Thank you that you made him in your image, with nothing missing, and nothing broken. Thank you for trusting Carl and I to raise Noah in your ways. We ask that you continue to show us the right way to become better parents, and also ask that you cover us with your blood. We pray for spiritual, emotional, and financial stability, and the ability to please you in everything that we do. We love and honor you Lord, and just want to thank you for your goodness. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.