Hi,

Sorry I didn't update on Friday! Things have been so hectic but in a great way. I left CHOP and went to a town a half hour away where family lives. I didn't want to go completely cold turkey from CHOP. I thought if anything happened I wanted to be close by. Then on Wednesday I travelled to Pittsburgh. Andrew did so well in the car. He just slept.  I'm going to Colorado on November 1st. It has been nice being home but I'm so ready to stop living out of a suitcase and just get to my house and settled.

Well having Andrew with me and out of the hospital has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. I was worried I would be overwhelmed by everything but I haven't been at all. I have gotten the hang of giving him all his medications and his feedings. Just being a regular mom has been so fun. We go on walks and cuddle on the couch. He is my little miracle and I thank God everyday. I'm so thankful to everyone that prayed and sent love our way. As I said before I really believe Andrew could feel all of it and it helped him get stronger. We went to the doctor on Friday for a check up and Andrew now weighs over 8lbs!

I will post pictures as soon as we get out to Colorado!!

After 133 days in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit in Philadelphia Pennsylvania

we went home today!

I'm sorry for the short posts over the weekend. Things are so hectic but in a good way. My husband came to visit. It was so great because the last time he was here Andrew was really sick. So he looked like a whole different baby this time around.

Andrew has been doing really well with the feedings. He does breast and bottle. He is a little piggy. He also breathes completely on his own. We just have to do a few tests and we will be cleared for discharge (which will hopefully be Friday). I really can't believe I'm writing those words. A month ago we thought we were getting a Trach and going to be in the hospital another 4 or 5 more months. The whole thing is very surreal. I believed in miracles after he was born at 27 weeks but this just really reconfirmed my belief. He truly is a gift from God.

The testing we have left is a hearing test, car seat test and altitude test. The altitude test is to make sure he can breath in Colorado okay. They will put an oxygen tent over his crib and adjust the air to be the same as it is in Colorado Springs. Room air has 21% oxygen in it normally. In Colorado Springs it only has 18%. I'm hoping he will do fine with the small adjustment.

I'm getting a little nervous about leaving which seems absolutely insane. I have been praying, hoping and daydreaming about this for months. I think because I have been in in Philly for almost 7 months and in the NICU for 5 months I'm so used to my daily routine here. I'm at the best hospital in the nation and Andrew is receiving the best care. I guess going from that to being on our own is a little scary. Also the hospital staff has become like family. I will miss the nurses so much. They have been with me through some of the worst and happiest moments of my life. Even on the days they weren't taking care of Andrew they come in and check on him (and me). They truly care about him and get almost as excited as I do about his triumphs. Don't get me wrong though I'm so excited to go. Just a little nervous.

We didn't get a chance to post pictures but I swear there will be some coming! I will post as soon as we find out whether we are getting discharged this week. Fingers crossed!

I'm sorry I know I said I would write today. My husband and I have been in class today learning things for when we go home (feeding tube, CPR ect...) so I will write more on Tuesday. Everything is good though and we may (but I don't want to jinx it) be discharged this week! YEAHHHHHHH!!!!

Hi!

Everything here is good just very busy. I'm going to write an update on Sunday. My husband is coming this weekend and bringing his laptop so I will post some pictures too. I hope everyone has a good weekend!