Home Sweet Home

After a long Thursday in the hospital of on and off the oxygen, Brooks made it 5 hours overnight (Thursday to Friday) off oxygen. I counted this as a huge success but the physicians want 6 hours of documentation. 

This was heartbreaking... we were pretty sure this meant another night in the hospital.

Andy & the kids came up to see us on Friday morning. 

Andy stayed at the hospital for the day on Friday while I spent the day with the kids.

We were also joined by Eddie, Jess, Hudson, and Beckett.

We enjoyed a day of lunch and discovery at the Washington Pavillion. 

The kids had a great time playing with the boys and I enjoyed some time out of the hospital.

Back at the hospital, they trialed Brooks off the oxygen again.

Much to my surprise he made it 6 hours and we were discharged at 5:00 pm!

I have never seen Andy pack so quickly...in no time at all we were out of the hospital and on our way back home.

 Words cannot express how thankful we are for the outpouring of support, prayers, gifts, and kind gestures this past week. 

Our life was turned upside down for 8 days and we experienced such a roller coaster of emotions.  

From fear to joy sometimes just seconds apart.

Andy & I relied on one another like we never have before and through it all we had our family, friends, and faith to guide us.

 We found strength we didn't know we had.

Now we are home enjoying the ordinary things that now seem extraordinary.

Best of all we are together as a family in our home.

Our favorite place to be.

Brooks at 6 Weeks

 Brooks is 6 weeks old!

He weighs 11 lb. 5 oz. 

 Brooks has won over so many hearts so far in his short little life. 

He is described as handsome, sweet, perfect, and feisty.

During our stay at the hospital so far, he has pulled out his central line from his neck (2 stitches in it), nearly pulled out his intubation tube, required 3 nurses to hold him down when upset, and fought back to nearly perfect health from being very, very sick.

We think that no matter what happens in this little guy's life, he will make it through even stronger.

God has some amazing plans for you Brooks.  

Dad & I are lucky enough to watch those plans unfold.
We love you and and are beyond grateful for you.

Getting So Close!

Brooks and I made a move today down to the Pediatric floor and said goodbye to our friends on the ICU floor. 

Grandma Nel was here with us for the day and helped us get settled in to our new room.

Although we are happy to be one step closer to home, we were sad to say goodbye to the comfort of the ICU. We loved those nurses and felt very comfortable there. 

Now we feel a bit like we are starting over and a little homesick too.

But, we are keeping each other company with lots of cuddling and nursing.

He is only on 1/4 oxygen right now and we can wean down to 1/8 and then 0.

We did try him off the oxygen tonight but his body told us he needed a little more help.

We are so thankful for where we are at with recovery right now but we continue to covet prayers until we are home sweet home with our Marie, Bennett, Daddy, Gus, and Maya. 

Our little family is so happy when we are all together, under one roof, in the same room, and usually on the same couch!

Marie and Bennett are confused and simply want their Mommy at home. 

Andy & I are tired and want to be with all of our children at once instead of being split up.

So, tonight we are praying for patience.