HOME!

We are home!!!

Today, around noon, exactly a week after her surgery, Evin was discharged from Cook Children's.  What an incredible feeling to bring our sweetheart home again!

Evin had a chest x-ray at 6:30 this morning, and her lungs have continued to clear.  Her intake and output numbers yesterday were both where they wanted them to be.  All of this meant that she was ready to go home!

Excitedly waiting to head out the door.

Evin was released to do all normal baby activities.  She can continue with tummy time, rolling over and using all her normal baby gear and toys.  The only thing we can't do is pick her up underneath her arms for 6 weeks.  This is so tough because that is how we normally pick her up.  Now, we will have to scoop her up more like you would a newborn, with one hand behind her head and one on her bottom.  We are already counting down the days to October 15th, her 6 week post-surgery date.

Little cutie!

We go for a follow-up visit next Friday, the 20th.  We will meet with Evin's normal cardiologist and the surgery nurses, who will check her incision.

With my little rockstar.

Mitch and his mini-me!

Headed home!

Posing in the same spot we did 5 months ago, when we brought her home for the first time.

Sister was happy to get her oatmeal again.

Yummm!

It was pretty easy to tell that Evin was excited to get back home.  When we first walked into the living room she looked around and grinned, like she was thinking, "Hey!  I know this place- all my stuff is here!"

Evin ended the night watching soccer with Daddy.  Well, Daddy watched and she played with toys. :)

 I am in disbelief that we are home.  I never imagined that Evin could have such a quick and relatively easy recovery.  We are SO proud of our tough little girl.  We are also so very thankful to the skilled surgery team at Cook's and God for giving them the ability to fix Evin's broken heart.

My heart is so full that we were able to bring home a baby that shouldn't have to have another surgery until she is in her teens.  As we were leaving the hospital today, I felt so much joy, but also felt so sad for the families who still have babies in the hospital.  There are some babies there that are Evin's age and older that were also born with heart defects, but they have never been home.  There are some babies that will have to have 3 surgeries by the time that they are 3 years old, and Evin was able to get her full repair in just 2 surgeries.  There are some babies that are waiting on a heart transplant.  I pray for these babies and their families daily and hope you will join me.  

I have said it before, and I know I can't say it enough- thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, love and support.  The texts, phone calls, cards, and messages were enough to lift us up on rough days and make us feel even more full of joy on great days.  Please continue to pray for a smooth recovery at home.  Lots of hugs to you all for your support!