A REAL 25 weeker!

Above: Faith had her car seat trial today. Before leaving the NICU babies have to sit in their car seats for 90 minutes without having major issues. Despite her content look in the picture Faith isn't very fond of car seats (we'll see if she changes her mind tomorrow when she learns that they can take you places!) Below; Faith sleeps away from the NICU!

Below: This is our home set up. All of the equipment you see is the equipment Faith will use at home. We are learning to adjust to this equipment. The humidity/oxygen compressor is the loudest thing we have ever heard- it sounds like an idling motorcycle...oh and don't get us started on the suction machine- that's even louder!(Trust us, once you come to visit Faith you will know what we mean!)

Today marks Faith's 25th week of life. She has been in the NICU for as long as she was in the womb. And we are thrilled to announce that she will spend the rest of her weeks at home! Tomorrow morning we will find out if Faith can come home that day or if we need to wait a few more days. In a way, the suspense is exciting- not knowing is a little fun! If Faith does not end up coming home tomorrow it is no biggie- we still have a lot to do to get ready for her. We had a very busy weekend. Last night we "roomed in" meaning we stayed in a separate room away from the unit with just us and Faith! The night took on special significance; The NICU is in the middle of the mother baby floor. For six months we have watched happy moms and dads wheel their babies down the halls to their rooms (which are really nice we might add!) We often look into these rooms and see the new families sleeping next to their babies. We never had this experience. When we had Faith we had to stay on a different floor (that was no set up for moms who just had babies) and of course did not get to sleep next to our little girl. Last night we got a private room in the mom baby section, and yes we got the wheel Faith down the hall into our room!!!!!! It was really special. When we put her in her crib we both said, "she looks like a baby!" Like any new parents with a baby our night was sleepless. Faith's monitors go off a lot and she needs to be suctioned at least once every half hour. Nevertheless we wouldn' t trade our night (and nights to come) with Faith for the world. Tomorrow just might be another significant day. February 8th was one of the worst days of our life. It was the day we left the hospital without our baby. We came home to an empty house. We felt empty. Everyday we walk into the hospital we seem to walk in just as a new mom and her baby are escorted out to their car to go home. T0morrow, maybe tomorrow it will be our turn.

Now THIS is a big week (the BIGGEST and THE BEST!)

Brian and Jen :)