NICU Discharge Day!!!

So it was a big week for Jack.

Tuesday he got his first vaccine. 

Wednesday he got circumcised.

Thursday he recovered. He also got his feeding plan changed from a set amount he was to consume every 3 hours (to gain weight) to feeding him per his cues and just track what he took to make sure he took a certain minimum amount.

Friday he got his feeding tube removed (this time by a nurse, not himself, and it was done on purpose!)

So Friday was a day we were mainly just trying to follow his cues and make sure he was eating and getting enough. A HUGE hurdle to meet before we could go home!

I had to leave the hospital for an appointment before the doctor came by, but later Friday evening we got a phone call with the doctor's update and she indicated he would be ready to discharge maybe Saturday, but probably for sure Sunday. 

WHAT?!?!!?

We were given the impression Monday would be a likely day, but tomorrow???

YAY!

Are we prepared? 

Holy smokes!

First some pics from earlier in the week.

This is how we walked in to find Jack Wednesday.

Sideways in crib, legs free and kickin, and he'd pulled his feeding tube again. 

Daddy is tired. The NICU schedule was wearing us down. 

Sweet boy after meal time.

Auntie finally got to cuddle with me. It was a good visit from sister!

Laying FLAT in the crib instead of at an incline. This is another milestone to reach before going home :)

The morning of DISCHARGE!!!

Grammy and Papa came to visit. Papa's gives loves to Jack :)

Jack testing out his new car seat all hooked up to the monitors.

He had to sit in it for 1.5 hours with no problem before he could be discharged. 

Jack had a sign in his room keeping track of his age (real and adjusted) and how much he weighed. This was his sign the evening we left and all the details of the day. 

The sign they hung on Jack's door. He was in room 3!

Feeding heating station. His feeding plan is the pink sheet on the wall detailing which nipple to use and how to help him be successful in learning to eat. 

The cleaning station. 

This is where I would clean all the bottles and pumping parts using my little pink tubs. 

The kangeroo chair. Many hours clocked in that chair doing skin to skin. 

The view many had of me if they came to visit during a time I needed to pump. 

They sometimes would see me peaking around, but mostly just my feet sticking out from under the privacy curtain. 

Steve's station. When Steve would be able to join us after work, this is the spot he set up in. 

Mama working on Jack's first feed without the monitors attached!

Jack's going home outfit!

 Waiting to be discharged.

Family picture before we walk out the door!

Getting packed up to walk out the door!

First breath of fresh air!

Packed in the car!!!

Bailey sniffing out the new addition. 

After his first meal at home. It's so good to see his little face at home instead of the hospital.

I've been busy pumping. This is what the hospital sent us home with from the freezer. 

Daddy feeding Jack!

We are so thankful for all of your love and support during this journey. We could not have survived with out every little thing you all did to help us out. 

Thanks for loving us.

Thanks for feeding us. 

Thanks for sending letters, texts and phone messages of encouragement.

Jack is one lucky dude to have so many surround him and love him even before meeting him.

WELCOME HOME JACK!