Home for the Holidays

Well, we made it.



Early yesterday afternoon, Truman Borden was finally discharged from the Baylor University Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit into the care of his parents. Amazingly, he came home on the due date originally predicted by Kara's ObGyn: December 5th. At the time of Truman's discharge, Truman was 3 months, 27 days (120 days) old. His adjusted age (the age his is developmentally, measured from his date of conception) was one day. His weight was 4 lbs, 13.8 oz.

The day of discharge was one of great excitement and anticipation, and one of a little nostalgia. Don't get me wrong, we certainly didn't want to be at the hospital any longer than absolutely necessary, but we had taken a great deal of solace and comfort in knowing that Truman was under the care of an amazing and caring medical staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We were also essentially bringing an end to a number of relationships that we had built at the hospital over the last four months, including his primary nurses, who for all practical purposes had acted as foster parents on Truman's behalf. To them we owe our unending gratitude and thanks, because without their help, we would not be taking our baby home.

We officially received Truman's approval for discharge around 11:45am, but we had to wait another hour or so before heading out because we were waiting on Truman to get his RSV shot. We finally started rolling Truman down to Discharge and Pick-up at about 12:45. By 1:00pm we were in the car and ready to head home as a family for the first time.



It was very exciting to walk Truman in through the front door and give him a quick tour of his home, but we couldn't dally around too long because he was due for a meal by 2:00pm.



As the day went along, we were introduced to that state of exhaustion that all new parents come to learn, but it was very nice to be a part of something that is normal for a change.



Truman's walk through life will now, at last, begin in earnest. With work, luck, love, and patience, hopefully it will be a long and successful one.



Thank you everyone for your interest and support through this chapter in our lives. This blog has been somewhat theraputic as well as a great way to keep everyone informed without having the telephone ringing off the wall. It has also been nice to come home nightly and be able to read all of the comments posted by family, friends, college buddies, colleagues, and even those of you whom we have never even known in person. Your kind words and prayers have meant a great deal to us over the last several months.

This blog will not be ended just yet. There are too many friends and family who are interested in how Truman progresses. But from here forward, the updates will be coming along a little less often. One reason for this is that Truman's quest to grow and graduate from the NICU has now ended. The other reason is that now, as parents of a newborn and as working professionals, time is a little scarce. I'm sure that many of you can relate.

Thank you, everyone. And Happy Holidays!

--Ben & Kara