Home, together as a family -
The kids were so thrilled when I walked in the door with their baby brother. Seriously, all of them, even Kevin, were swarming all over me and the baby. It was a very happy homecoming :)
My friend Lisa watched the kids while Michael and I were at the hospital, and when we got home, she and a couple other friends, Laurel and Julia, had dinner ready for us as well as a cake and champagne! My friends have been so incredible during this time . . . I don't even have the words to express how much it all means to me.
While we were eating dinner, we saw through the front window our lawn stork being put up. I ordered it this morning as soon as we got word that Finn would be discharged today, but it wasn't supposed to come until tomorrow, so this was a nice surprise.
When it was time to feed him for the first time at home, I was nervous. I have not been able to get him to nurse since the day before yesterday at the hospital. Yesterday was such an awful day and I tried to nurse him at the hospital twice and it just did not go well at all (maybe because I couldn't stop crying?). I tried again today at the hospital and no luck. So I've been feeling very discouraged again about breastfeeding. So at home I used a nursing pillow and sat down in the rocking chair with him and he latched right on with no fuss, no struggle, and no coaxing from me. All by himself. It felt like a small victory.
We do still have lots of work to do, however. He is latching on well, but he tends to go to sleep at the breast very quickly, so I don't think he's taking much, and Michael is having to follow up with bottles of breastmilk. I'm trying to think positive. I will be meeting with the LC from the NICU this coming week, and Sue, my midwife, is coming over tomorrow to work her magic.
It's funny . . . right now, at this moment, the Down syndrome doesn't even matter. All that matters is that my baby is home.
16 comments:
Typing from prodromal labor land to say HELL YEAH! Seriously, I am SO excited for you all and the family, together, at home is the best picture I've seen all day. That is how it should be, not shuttling back and forth to the hospital with tubes, tears, and loads of nonsensical rules.
And the nursing victory just warms my heart - it's amazing what your OWN HOME can do. You can breastfeed, you're GOOD at it. And Finn will continue to benefit from your perseverance. I had a baby who was a sleeper too and while it was challenging (especially when she wasn't gaining well) it's something much easier to overcome than, say, a bowel obstruction! With all you two have overcome this far, this is PEANUTS!
This just made my day Lisa. I am so thrilled for you and the fam to have your youngest member safe and home.
Look at your beautiful family all at home and so happy. I don't even know you and I can see that you are just glowing!
I have read every word that you have written from beginning to end. Finn has already touched so many lives. Your story is going to be an inspiration to so many!
Congrats on bringing him home and especially getting him to latch on.
Oh Lisa, I am bawling right now!! I am so happy for you and your family and especially little Finn! I remember how stressed my kids were when Josh was in NICU and how much we wanted him home (they held him in as well and we lost it during rounds one morning).
You are all where you need to be now, and it is wonderful to see.
Welcome home Finn, and hugs to you!
Jan (lge Fam. Board)
What a huge sigh of relief it must be to have Finnian home. To finally have the comfort that you're all home together. I am so happy for you. All of you.
Seeing you all together on the couch is a gorgeous site. Seeing you all SMILING on the couch together (especially you Lisa) has made my day.
Enjoy!
Oh, I'm so happy for all of you. Finn's back where he belongs - surrounded by his whole family. You can just feel the love in that picture. Congratulations!
Great to see everyone smiling! Even Michael has a sh*t eating grin on his face when he is putting Finn in the carseat to GO HOME! Yeah for you guys!
Welcome home to little Finn. What a gorgeous family you have! That family picture is wonderful.
Congrats Lisa and family on finally getting to have Finn home with you!
Lisa it was such a pleasure to be with your kids yesterday - I want you and Michael to know how really wonderful your kids are - polite, sweet, smart, great friends to their siblings - you have done an amazing job rearing them and should be very proud! And what an amazing sight it was to see you walk through the door with your littlest one - that big grin on your face and how your kids swarmed you and the baby! I was so thrilled to get to hold Finn - he is so gorgeous and you can tell he was very content to be home at last where he belongs with all of you! Lots of love to you all. Lisa B
YAY!!!! Wonderful news Momma! Enjoy your precious miracle!
Your family is gorgeous! I am so excited that little Finn is home! You know the breastfeeding well come in time. What a great way to start the week with that precious baby home, surrounded by so much love! Melinda in VA
Welcome home, Finn! May you grow in the love and warmth of your family!
Yay!!! Oh lisa, what a fantastic day it must've been for you ~ so many things fell into place. That family picture is WONDERFUL! You look so SO happy! Congrats mama & welcome home baby Finn.
Lisa,
I am almost in tears right now! I am so happy for you and your family (but, especially you!!!!). I know that you are so happy to have Finn home! I check Finnian's Journey daily and you and your family are in my thoughts many times during the day. I don't know you IRL, but I feel close to you because your writing is gifted and just draws me in. You are an inspiration and a wonderful person/Mom! I just wanted you to know......and if you're ever in SC....you better look me up!!! :) Kim (twinsand1+preg! on Preg.org)
Congrats on coming home baby Finn! How wonderful Lisa. I love the family photos. How wonderful to have him home were he belongs
Just want to say that your family picture is the most beautiful thing ever! So happy to hear you are all there home together!
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