Well, it's been a whirlwind of a day, but we've officially survived! I sure cried a lot leaving the NICU...that place was our family for the past two months...it was a bittersweet leave. Here are some pictures we captured amidst the packing up! As you can see Ellie got a special new dress just for going home!
Here's Ellie saying bye to Ellen, our amazing nurse practitioner. We will miss her a lot!
Ellie fussed when she got into the car seat; but then after she wiggled herself comfortable, she slept the whole way home.
We didn't actually make it home until 5:30 p.m. because we were waiting for silly Medical Arts Pharmacy to get their story straight with the insurance company to cover the caffeine and prilosec that our little princess needed to go home on! When we got into Manhattan, this is what we saw on our door...and I cried again :)
Now we'll see how the night goes. She's already not taken as much from the bottle as we hoped, 60 at 5:30 p.m.; 35 at 8:00; at 11 p.m. she took 43 mL. But then again, the NICU nurses all told me that the next 24 hours would be very different for Ellie and her surroundings/eating patterns. It was really weird not knowing how much weight she gained tonight...guess we just have to gage for ourselves while we're holding her now! :) We get to meet Dr.Duff, our pediatrician in Manhattan on Monday!
Here's our little princess sleeping in her home! We're excited to be home, but please continue to pray for us as we all adjust. Notice her nifty home monitor!
We pray that you all understand that we are requesting
please no visitors for a month for starters. And then we will re-evaluate if we need to extend it. (That might really happen due to it being cold and flu season!) Ellie has a very weak immune system and after all we've been through, we don't want to risk it. We really hope you understand.
BUT..we will continue with the blog and lots of PICTURES so you all can have a virtual relationship with Ellie!...no worries...this journey isn't over...we still have a long road ahead.
Thanks for rejoicing with Team Gramkow. We're finally home. We are so thankful for this day; we thought it would never come.
Well, it's been a whirlwind of a day, but we've officially survived! I sure cried a lot leaving the NICU...that place was our family for the past two months...it was a bittersweet leave. Here are some pictures we captured amidst the packing up! As you can see Ellie got a special new dress just for going home!
Here's Ellie saying bye to Ellen, our amazing nurse practitioner. We will miss her a lot!
Ellie fussed when she got into the car seat; but then after she wiggled herself comfortable, she slept the whole way home.
We didn't actually make it home until 5:30 p.m. because we were waiting for silly Medical Arts Pharmacy to get their story straight with the insurance company to cover the caffeine and prilosec that our little princess needed to go home on! When we got into Manhattan, this is what we saw on our door...and I cried again :)
Now we'll see how the night goes. She's already not taken as much from the bottle as we hoped, 60 at 5:30 p.m.; 35 at 8:00; at 11 p.m. she took 43 mL. But then again, the NICU nurses all told me that the next 24 hours would be very different for Ellie and her surroundings/eating patterns. It was really weird not knowing how much weight she gained tonight...guess we just have to gage for ourselves while we're holding her now! :) We get to meet Dr.Duff, our pediatrician in Manhattan on Monday!
Here's our little princess sleeping in her home! We're excited to be home, but please continue to pray for us as we all adjust. Notice her nifty home monitor!
We pray that you all understand that we are requesting please no visitors for a month for starters. And then we will re-evaluate if we need to extend it. (That might really happen due to it being cold and flu season!) Ellie has a very weak immune system and after all we've been through, we don't want to risk it. We really hope you understand.
BUT..we will continue with the blog and lots of PICTURES so you all can have a virtual relationship with Ellie!...no worries...this journey isn't over...we still have a long road ahead.
Thanks for rejoicing with Team Gramkow. We're finally home. We are so thankful for this day; we thought it would never come.
thanks so much for sharing the going home pics---they made me just cry with joy!! you all have been through quite an ordeal with ellie arriving so early but praise Jesus that you made it to "going home" day! You and Ben are wonderful parents--don't doubt yourself for even a moment! All parents wish children came with a manual but unfortunately they don't---it's all trial and error. I love you all so much and can't wait to see Ellie again in her own surroundings. I will pray for all 3 of you with adjusting to the new sounds, sights , smells, routine, etc. Have a super day. Love ya tons!
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo! We're so proud of all three of you!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless the wonderful decorators, too!
LYM,
Aunt Anna & Uncle Fred
Just got Wendy's email (was off yesterday) and caught up on your blog- you are HOME!!!! YEAH!!!! What great news! To echo what Wendy said- don't doubt yourselves in your ability as parents- no parent knows what to do at first- you'll figure it out! The first few days alone with a baby can be trying and emotional no matter if she is a few days or a few months. You 2 have been so strong and such great caregivers- obviously the natural instinct is there! Hope you had a good night! Best wishes to you and God Bless you all!
ReplyDeleteglad to hear your family is finally home again! I love reading the updates, and we look forward to being able to visit, whenever she's strong enough to see people in person! :)
ReplyDeleteMandy and Ben,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you guys to have your little princess home! I know it is such a relief.
You guys are still in my prayers!
Wrenn
Dr. Duff is Parker's pediatrician too! He's great! :) I'm sure everyone understands about no visitors! I'll be thrilled to see her after cold and flu season is over and she's ready to meet her future husband Parker! ;)
ReplyDeleteBecky
YEAH!! So exciting. Ellie is so lucky to have such wonderful parents! I'm sure she will love her home.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the cold and nasty flu season to be over and our little one to be here so Ellie can meet one of her BFFs!!
Have a great first weekend at home :)
Love,
The Bailey's
What joy to see the pictures of Ellie going home!! It's been a long journey to date...and God has directed each of your steps along the way. Thanks for so faithfully sharing your joys/fears/prayer requests on a daily basis...I loved being a small part of the beginning of Ellie Jo's life...and I look forward to meeting her one of these days!! Be blessed and enjoy each moment you have with her and with one another!! lovingly, c
ReplyDeleteBen and Mandy,
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy to hear of your little Ellie going home. :) Thanks for the blog. We have been keeping up with it and following your journey. The Lord truly has been faithful through it all and what a great journal you'll have to share with Ellie someday! We will continue to pray as you settle in at home!
Love,
Justin and Jill
yay! i'm so glad that you all got to go home together! hope everyone is doing well so far. keep putting up the pictures, i love looking at them! best of luck and God bless.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I echo all of the happiness, and since I already got to have one good cry with Mandy last night and just now looked at the blog I have to know how you fit in the car with all of Ellie's stuff :) That front seat looks filled to the rim! WOO HOO! So glad you're home!
ReplyDeleteWe're so excited little Ellie is home!!! Maybe we'll bump into you at Dr. Duff's office on Monday. :) We'll keep our eye open for you. :)
ReplyDelete