Drake's BIG Day

The day we have waited for finally arrived...Drake's day to leave the NICU behind and go home with mommy & daddy! To say we were excited would be an understatement. After 140 days of emotional ups and downs, we finally got to take our precious baby boy out of the hospital and into a warm and caring home. It was an erie feeling pulling into the parking garage and knowing it was for the last time. This hospital has become our home away from home, and the staff our extended family. Since their birth, this has been our "normal" and now it is time to adjust to life outside of a hospital setting.

We were afraid Drake would be scared and cry as we were leaving in his carseat, but he was eating up the attention from the NICU staff who came to see us off. It was bittersweet saying our goodbyes to so many of our NICU friends who have been more to us than just their roles as doctors, nurses and respiratory therapist...they have been a huge support system for us all along the way. Two of our goodbyes today were to a transport nurse and RT who flew to Tyler to pick up Drake and Kennedy back on June 23rd. They have been witnesses to our little miracles journey through the NICU.

His first car ride was a success! Drake was wide awake the entire ride from the hospital to Gran & Poppy's. He looked out of the window and all around the car. When we arrived, he was all eyes again trying to take in and interpret his new surroundings. Once he was settled and surrounded by loving caregivers (Gran, Poppy & Uncle Mikey), Brian and I headed out to another hospital. It was time to meet our new nephew, Jacob. We knew he was a big baby, but seeing him in person we were still surprised by the size of this newborn. It is exciting to know that Drake and Kennedy will grow up with a cousin so very close in age. We can't wait to take pictures with all 3 babies together soon!

Now it is time for mommy & daddy to settle into our first night with our two little babies. I'm not sure how much sleep we will actually get, but we are all together and that is all that really matters.

Pictures:
1) Brian & baby Jacob
2) Drake
3) Daddy, Mommy & Drake
4) Aunt Meredith, Uncle Aaron & baby Jacob
5) Daddy, Mommy & Drake
6) Annie & baby Jacob
7) Kennedy