November 21, 2011 Part 3

Sorry it has taken me so long to complete this story.  With the holidays and all the craziness of a newborn, life has been pretty hectic...but I'm NOT complaining!!!!!

So, we went home on Thanksgiving to have dinner with Jesse's family and for us to get some things done at home.  We knew that rounds were done at 9am each morning, but because they were so busy in the NICU, Jesse decided he'd go in to work and I would take the dogs for a walk and go to the gym while we waited.  I planned on calling the hospital around 11, just to give them time and to not be those parents!  But, as I was walking out the front door with the dogs, my cell phone rang.  It was a number with the Grand Rapids area code, so I answered.  It was the wonderful nurse, Ellen.  She had called to tell us that our dear, precious Emily was ready to go home.  I was beyond excited!  I told her we probably wouldn't be able to head up there until noon, so we wouldn't get there til probably 3 or so.

I walked out the door and nearly skipped the whole time walking the dogs.  (I did call Jesse before I left.)  Jesse came home around noon and we were off shortly after.  The drive there was agonizing.  I just couldn't wait to bring our baby girl home.

In a ride that seemed like forever, we FINALLY got there.  The adoption worker was there and we were allowed to change Emily into her outfit and feed her.  It took us some time, but after we did, we were allowed to leave.  My cousin and her family came to see Emily.  My little godson, Pete, was adorable.  He saw her and said, "hi, baby!"  When she didn't respond, he looked up at me with a look of disgust and said, "she doesn't talk?!"  We all laughed and explained to him that she would talk in time.

Ellen, by law, had to walk Emily out to the car and hand her to the adoption worker.  The adoption worker, then had to hand her to us!  We were beside ourselves with joy.  We took some pictures and took off on the longest journey yet...coming home!  I sat in the back seat to make sure our little peanut was okay.  Since it was nearly 6 pm by the time we left, it was dark, so every half hour or so, I'd ask Jesse to turn on the light so I could make sure that Emily was okay.

We had to stop at Target to pick up some more formula.  (We didn't realize the hospital gave us any, or we wouldn't have stopped on BLACK FRIDAY!)  It was pretty painless and we were back on the road.

We got home to Jesse's family waiting for us.  That night was amazing.  We didn't get much sleep and we set the alarm every 3 hours...DUMB!  But, we are first time parents, so we had to go through all the trials and errors on our own.

We were so happy to finally have our baby girl at home.  Where she belonged.  The dogs were instantly protective of her and wanted to be around her all the time.  It was a dream come true.

 This is Pete wearing his best!

 My cousin, Christina's family

 Getting ready for the ride home

 All safe and secure

 Emily and Grandma P

 Auntie Betty

 Auntie Mare Mare