Home again, home again!

We made it home!! Thanks to your prayers, and God answering them, Keller was able to convince the doctors he could go home yesterday.

I (Alli) spent 3 nights on the unit.  The arrangement was that his nurse call me when it was time to eat and I come out to the unit and feed him at the bedside. Our last night there he was actually able to stay in my room, he was wireless for the first time since he was born so it was a little intimidating to have him there and know that it was just me and him.  We made a good team though and he ate and slept pretty well.

I was a little shocked when they said they were releasing us because I had been scared of setting my hopes on Thursday.  Hormones and emotions and little sleep make for a crazy time after a pregnancy anyway but the added stress of the NICU and surgery and splitting time between Norah and Keller had made me very tearful at times.  I was very afraid of another breakdown, I seemed to be on a 48 hour cycle and we were on day 2 again.  Going home was just the news my heart needed.

Only one more to go!

We were able to make it home around 4 pm yesterday.  Norah had not been around him since the day they met in Keller's room.  It just so happened that he was crying when she walked in and she was not so impressed.  She asked what was wrong with him and I told her Keller was hungry.  She promptly said "Don't want it hungry!" She's done pretty well adjusting so far.  She even got out her baby to practice being a mommy too.

In the car for the first time.

We made it!

Keller has been started on an antibiotic and will be on it at least until 3 years old but we have also heard 5.  He is going to be followed by the cardiologists in Greenville until they deem it time for heart surgery.  As far as his physical condition, he is recovering from his malrotation surgery very well.  His incision on his tummy is about 4 centimeters wide but it doesn't seem to bother him very much.  His heart is now the focus.  Because of the anatomy of his heart it makes a very inefficient pump.  His heart rate and breathing rates are always elevated.  Eating is exercise for him and is takes a very short time before he tires and needs a mid feeding nap-sometimes several mid feeding naps.

We did ask about the official word on visitors before leaving.  The doctor told us that out of Keller's best interest we need to keep away from germs and therefore people until he has had his shots which is at 2 months. By that point we might be very close to time for his heart surgery and would still have to be hyper vigilant because sickness at that time could mean a huge set back.  So, for a while, we will be sequestered.   We thank you for your understanding on this, it is not ideal but it is what is best for our boy and our family.

In the midst of all this, we're also moving; our closing date has been pushed to the 23rd by the buyers, and I actually think that's a much better situation for us than the original closing date (next Friday). It's hard to imagine finding a place to rent, find a storage unit or two somewhere, and moving from our home just as we get back in town, but the extra 10 days may just be the providentially provided time we need to get it done.

Thanks again for loving on our family through prayer, gifts, dinners, even offers to help move our stuff when it comes time... it's overwhelming. Keller is one loved little kid and we're so grateful!

This makes my day.

- The Davis family (Phillip, Alli, Norah, Keller)

P.S. from Phillip: If you have any suggestions for somewhere to rent or storage units... shoot me an email at pbdavis@gmail.com... I'm just now able to begin the hunt in earnest, so any suggestions are welcome!