I wanted to post an update about Gus' first few days at home. The short version: so far so good.
The longer version goes like this... We are thrilled to have Gus home. As dear friend Kris Kill wrote - no more driving to MVH, no more washing up to our elbows just to look at our baby, no more worrying about what the report will be after rounds, no more calling in to get the "update", no more getting calls from the doctors or nurses with potentially disturbing news. No doubt, Gus is still a preemie and has a long way to go to catch up but we are so encouraged by his homecoming.
So far Gus' week has been filled with appointments. He saw his regular pediatrician on Wednesday and then today (Thursday) saw both the pulmonary specialist at Dayton Children's Hospital and a home health checkup scheduled by the hospital. Tomorrow we go in for Gus' two week eye exam to check out how well he has healed from the laser surgery to correct retinopathy due to premature eyes. He seems to be looking around a lot and focusing in on faces and distinct objects. We really pray the healing has been completed and the scarring has stopped.
Life at home is different for Gus than at the NICU. Mom and Dad get to love on him all they want - he really enjoys that! There are new sounds and smells - and the lack of sounds and smells at home. We made fajitas tonight - probably not a smell he ever imagined in the NICU... We are getting lots of smiles and cuddles - Gus seems more calm and ready to explore than he ever was able to at the NICU. He still sleeps a lot and eats a lot and grunts a lot - he only cries when he is really hungry or has a seriously messy diaper. We think he is just perfect and keep telling each other that.
Once again, we want to thank everyone who has been so amazingly supportive of us during the last thirteen weeks (and prior to that when Jill was on bedrest!) If you aren't on our regular "Christmas Card" list - i.e. you didn't get a Christmas Card from the Brekkes in 2005 - please send your mailing address to me at the link in my profile. This includes you "Anonymous Victoria from Wisconsin"!!! We would love to send birth/homecoming announcements out to you as soon as they are printed.
Blessings,
Gregg
P.S. A few more pictures will be coming soon...
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8 comments:
I'm so happy for you!!! Thank you for sharing the journey with us. I've loved being able to follow Gus' progress without calling Mary all the time for updates. I was amazed at how upbeat the blog was even for the really scary stuff. Know that all the great prayers for Gus while he was in NICU will continue as we all grown to love him even if we haven't met him yet personally.
May the road ahead be smooth....
Liz
Oh! I'm so happy to hear that Gus is home and doing well! I would love to be able to see ya'll before I leave the area!
We have been following Gus' journey these last several weeks, it is such a joy to see that he is home and doing so well!! Hugs to all of you. Your journey has brought back so many memories of Noah as a preemie -- complete with the apnea monitor...and yes, we cried when they gave it to us and also when the took it away!! I hope to see all of you upon a visit back to Davids in the future. May the Lord continue to bless all of you!
Blessings,
The Coleman Family (Jeff, Deb, Noah, Ashlyn and Brennan)
We are so happy for your family! You look so happy to finaly be at home! I can only imagine your joy! If you need anyting let us know.
The Schlise Family
Brian, Jynn, Jered, Emily and Amanda
Welcome home, Big Gus!! What a lucky boy you are to pick such a family filled with love for you! You're doing a great job eating and sleeping - just what babies are suppose to do!!
Love from,
Cousin Carolee
Gus looks great--happy,healthy and very well cared for. A job well done by everyone!
Dear Jill and Gregg,
Anna and I have been following Gus' journey since March, and we are so happy to see that his amazing growth and strength has allowed him to come home to his family!
If there is anything we can do to help out in anyway, please let us know.
Take Care, Nils and Anna
Gregg and Jill,
He looks wonderful. The two of you are a testament to the vows that you spoke at your wedding. I am proud to have been the one who offered them to you. Now you have transended that vow and raised it to a much high level, you have survived hardship, and trial intacted. Sure a little tired from your journey, maybe a little shell shocked, but whole and very much in love.
We are all watching you and learning. You are now our mentors.
The Holst's-John, Sara, Ashley, Damon & Torrie
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