Lex in his “going home” outfit

1st family portrait

Lex loaded into the car

Lex in his pack n play at home

Apple checking out her new brother

2 pm

We went to the hospital at 10 am this morning for Lex’s discharge from the NICU. After signing some paperwork we took a family picture, and our favorite nurse called to wish us luck because she couldn’t leave her post in the other ward. Tim pulled up the car to the front door of the hospital while a nurse and I walked down with Lex in his car seat.

Lex contentedly slept through his very first car ride. I sat in the back of the car with Lex while Tim drove. We were apprehensive at how the dogs would greet their new brother, but it was pleasantly uneventful. The girls cared more about the treats Tim was feeding them than Lex. We were wondering if they’ve gotten used to his scent on us over the last three weeks.

Since bringing him home we’ve had two feedings and one diaper change. He was more fussy than we’ve seen him and we think he was just cold because his temperature was a little low when we took it. We swaddled him up tight and he quickly fell asleep. It’s very nice to have him here and we are grateful that we don’t have to run to the hospital anymore.

8 pm

What a day! This morning Lex’s doctor told us that Lex could go home tomorrow! He said that Lex is just way too healthy to be here any longer. Lex has continued to take all of his bottles and hasn’t needed the feeding tube in a few days.  So that’s it… tomorrow he goes home. We weighed him tonight and he is now 5 pounds.

We spent the entire day getting things ready. First we went to Rite Aid and Albertsons to get his vitamins and other little things. Next we went to Segals baby store to get a changing pad, changing pad covers, a foot stool for feedings, a sleep sack and to get our car seat inspected by a technician. After that we sprinted back home across town to get our room rearranged and to do some cleaning, which took the rest of the evening. We’ve basically crammed my office, our bedroom, the dog beds and Lex’s nursery into the same room. We also put our dogs through a crash course in baby tolerance by playing a CD of baby sounds from a boom box that we put into Lex’s Pack-n-Play. I frantically fed them treats while screaming baby sounds came from the bedroom. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

We are excited and freaked out. Too many emotions to keep track of.