Prayers...Answered

Earlier last week I was told Liam would not be coming home for a couple weeks, more likely around my initial due date of October 29th. This is typically the standard rule for preemies, that they go home more closely to their due date, but because they grew in utero until 33 weeks, we had expected one or two may come home before this if not all. As the weather starts to change and feeling so far away physically from our boys leans harder on us, every day we just want them home even more, especially as we see Aiden thriving at home.

Liam did a quick turnaround and had no heart rate drops (except for when feeding) for the required 5 days. He was then slotted to come home on Friday. We were ecstatic, especially me thinking with my emotions and how I feel leaving them behind on my visit every day. For the past several months, our family has been living in different places and we are growing tired of not being together. We were also concerned though with bringing him home and him having an episode here. Unlike Griffin and Beckham who usually self relieve their episodes, Liam needs stimulation or being patted on the butt to know he is having a "brady." Even more what we give thought to is he does them in his sleep without any warning to know he is having one...so you'd literally have to be watching him breathe while he sleeps the entire time. While we talked as a family, my dad was over, we talked about our options and started to put plans in place for someone to be watching Liam breathe at all times. We also prayed for a clear way of knowing if Liam was ready or not ready to come home. When we arrived at the hospital, there was an evaluation by Dr. Nelson (to us the baby whisperer) that said Liam would thrive at home moreso than in the hospital...he has preferences already and would do really well in an environment that he felt really connected in...so I thought this was it, we have to get him home . Matt and I decided against our emotions before I made the trip down, and thought we'd keep him at Rush through the weekend...while then as Grandpa Lou is holding Liam, he has a brady. He was watching him breathe, doing all the right things to monitor him and there were no tell tale signs (and this is the main concern, there is no warning such as he is focusing on pooping or having reflux or anything, it just happens) and as the monitor went off he started patting his butt as you should do. Not believed to be self-relieved and clearly something that could have happened in the car ride home or at home. He had one again last night that required stimulation. As hard as it is to leave him at the hospital and know he would thrive at home too, we have to give him this time and again restart the 5 day count....please do say some prayers for Liam, that he comes home in God's perfect timing and that when he does we can feel complete peace. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers and loving our children so much and being the ultimate parent to them.

As for our other munchkins, I have some great pictures of Beckham to get up here soon. He is such a laid back, zen guy usually, and his eyes are so soulful and kind. Dr. Nelson had such wonderful things to say about him. Although I hear he was quite feisty yesterday, he everyone deserves a day to cause some trouble ;) Aidan so fun to have home, and he rolled over on Friday for Matt -- I did tell Dr. Nelson and he said wow, he rolled over and he hasn't even been born yet, true! He does seem to have some reflux issues, so we'll need to work through those soon. Griffin may be home tomorrow if all goes well. He is recovering well from surgery and we are so excited to add our little chunk-a-monk to our family here at home. This crazy kid has surpassed all of his brothers and now weighs nearly 6 lbs!!

As always, thank you for the prayers, and please keep them coming!