A few photos from our first week home.

            

                        

Every night I look forward to waking up to Adeline.   

A lazy morning of world news, dark coffee and Adeline.  Not a bad way to start the day.  We actually had something to do today in addition to the ever important job of staring at Adeline.  We had visits from both a county nurse and the respiratory therapist.

As a micro preemie, Adeline will be getting all sorts of services if she needs them.  The perk is that they will come to our home to deliver said services.  Today a Milwaukee County/caseworker stopped by for a visit to make sure everything is o.k.  She, like her doctor, was impressed with how well Adeline is doing.  Nothing really notable occured with the visit other than Adeline weighs 4 lbs. 13 oz. (on her scale).  It is nice to know that those services exist for those who really need them.  

Following the county nurse, a respiratory therapist came by to check in on Adeline and her apnea monitor.  Again, its nice to know that there are those out there concerned with her well being.  The therapist gave us some tips about monitor use and reviewed emergency procedures.

If there has been one less then stellar aspect of this first week at home is Adeline's monitor.  It obviously serves a very important purpose and I appreciate what it does for our peace of mind.  But when the thing erupts at 4:30 a.m. to tell us that a lead wire is loose, it is enough to push you over the edge.  I will not miss it when it is gone (probably mid January).

We have had such a fun week as a family.  We could not have asked for anything better.  

Each day brings new blessings.  We can't wait for tomorrow.

December 6, 2008- First Day Home

Adeline's first day home has been one of settling in.  There is a lot to learn and a lot of holding to be done.  

We are figuring out some basic systems very quickly in order to feed and care for Adeline in the middle of the night.  How to make up her bottles, how to wash her bottles, where exactly the burp cloths should be located.  Each is very important to figure out to reduce the midnight fumbling.

There is no way of measuring how much better life in the Sheets' household is today as compared to the 85 days previous.  No more, is the thought of wondering how our baby did the previous night, or rushing to get the hospital so we could be the ones feeding her in the morning.  No more, is the unknown of who would be taking care of Adeline that day.  Today, we relaxed, sipping coffee on our own couch, while Adeline slept against against mommy's shoulder.  The way it is meant to be.

The photo was taken minutes before we left the hospital with Adeline.  It will be months before we look that rested again.

There is nothing better we could think of doing this winter...hibernating like bears (without the sleeping part).  We could get used to this.

Each day brings new blessings.  We can't wait for tomorrow.