Gavin Comes Home!

Gavin was discharged from the NICU today and we were finally able to bring our little boy home! I couldn't ask for a better birthday present than having all my boys home with me tomorrow!

Daddy, Mommy, and Ryan spent a special morning together making cinammon buns, snuggling on the couch watching morning cartoons, assembling brownie trays for the NICU staff, and enjoying lunch at Chick-fil-A. We then piled into the car around 1 p.m. for the hour-long trek down to Shady Grove Hospital.

Once we arrived at the NICU, we presented the nurses with homemade brownies (as well as hugs) to express our gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the care and support our family received during Gavin's stay. We then changed Gavin's diaper (naturally, he peed everywhere once the diaper was off!), dressed him in his blue and white gingham sail boat "going home" outfit, signed all the necessary paperwork, strapped him into his infant carrier, loaded him into the car, and headed for home!

Ryan, who had never been in the NICU and had only seen Gavin once or twice through a small window next to Gavin's bed, was excited to finally meet his new little brother. As you can see in the photos below, Ryan was all grins and dimples during the entire visit! The first thing he did when he saw Gavin was to reach out to gently "pet" him and smell his feet for "stinky feet." He then proudly helped Daddy carry the carseat through the hospital lobby, waited with Gavin while Daddy pulled the car around to the front entrance, and helped load the infant carrier into the car. Ryan then entertained Gavin during the ride home by reading books and singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and the "ABC's" (despite the entertaintment, Gavin was only awake for the first half of the trip). Daddy was so proud of the way Ryan behaved at the hospital that he treated Ryan to ice cream with rainbow sprinkles at Jimmy Cone in Damascus. Once we arrived home and were greeted by Guinness, Ryan insisted on playing with Gavin. Although he quickly realized that Gavin isn't able to play quite yet, Ryan kept running over to Gavin throughout the afternoon to hug and kiss him. And at bedtime, Ryan, without prompting, hugged Gavin and said, "I love you." We couldn't ask for a sweeter, more loving big brother for baby Gavin!

Mommy preparing for the first of many diaper changes. This was also the first time we saw Gavin without any monitors, wires, or leads attached to him.


All dressed up in his going home outfit and looking much healthier than he did 9 days ago!

Ryan's assessment: "Pee-eww! Stinky Feet!"

The first family photo; we look tired from the stress of the past 9 days but relieved and thrilled to be bringing Gavin home.

Ryan proudly poses with his new baby brother as he waits for Daddy to return with the car.

Daddy's little helper helps lift the car seat into the car and inspects the installation to make sure it's safe and secure enough for Gavin to travel. Gavin is already exhausted from all the excitement and ready to nap on the ride home.

Gavin, Mommy, and Ryan anxiously await chauffeur Daddy to drive us home.

Mommy squeezes between the two boys, ready to run interference if necessary.

Gavin was alert for the first 15 minutes of the ride, but soon fell asleep despite Ryan's boisterous singing.

Ryan was disappointed to discover that, given the position of the two carseats, he couldn't see or reach Gavin during the ride home. Once we arrived home, he was excited to see how Gavin fared during the hour-long drive.

Ryan offers Gavin the first of many kisses before helping Daddy unload the carseat and carry it inside.

Daddy finally gets to hold Gavin in the comfort of our own home and without all the wires and beeping monitors!

Ryan compares foot sizes with Gavin. Although Gavin has long, skinny toes and big feet, Ryan's feet are still bigger (and probably stinkier!).

Mommy holding her sleepy little boy. Let's hope he sleeps this well at night!