So we begin our NICU journey....

Hope you're home enjoying plenty of cuddles with your baby girl and far too busy to even look at BB. ;)

Happy birthday for yesterday, I just know you would have been on cloud nine with your family complete, at home!

My goodness, I am just overwhelmed by all these responses. A few tears falling here for all the love & support DD has had along the way and your messages about her homecoming just make it all the more amazing. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart - for sharing this all with us and keeping me moving at the lowest of lows.

What can I say? Where do I start?

Firstly, DD is doing so very well at home. In 6 days she gained 155 grams! She was discharged at 2865g and now weighs in at 3020g! WOO HOO for the 3kg milestone. Her corrected age is just over one month old, but actual age is 4 months and a bit.

The first couple of days we were a bit anxious....she didnt poo for 36 hours after coming home, and with her history we were getting concerned but she came good not long after. And typically, two days after coming home DS gets an ear infection & the associated snot, so DD now has the sniffles too. But she is faring really well.

And I'm so pleased to say that she is breastfeeding like a champ! We left hospital on 3 breastfeeds a day with top-ups, the remainder of feeds were bottles of the elemental formula she's needed. And as her growth has been so good we're now on all breastfeeds apart from one full bottle feed, and only topping up on 2 other feeds. If her weight gain on Monday is good then we'll go to exclusive breastfeeds and maybe lose the top-ups too. I am pleasantly surprised that the breastfeeding is going so well. I had a couple of days were her attachment was really bad and she was very unsettled so I had concerns that my supply was dwindling due to the stress of everything. But with lots of practice & more consistency with offering the boob she is really doing so well. We're still using nipple shields but they make a huge difference. Once she's bigger I will start to wean them off. Its a great relief and I'm really enjoying feeding her.

We've spent this first week at home just soaking up life as a normal little family of four, with no need to tag-team visits to the hospital or sort out babysitting for DS etc. I know it sounds cheesy but it been a week of simple things....domestic bliss I guess they call it. Taking care of both the kidlets and their needs, catching up on boring old housework, seeing visitors, going on little outings and just soaking up the time together as a family. DS just runs around the house yelling 'baby, baby!!!' and he's certainly turned up the volume somewhat, now that he's realised this new little person is a permanent fixture! But he'll take as much settling in as all of us will so I'm sure in time things will normalise for him.

As I said in my previous post, it feels like she's always been here. And of course in our hearts & minds she was, but to physically have her home is still very surreal. I woke up on my birthday to DD starting to stir in her bassinet at the foot of our bed and DP bringing DS into our room to have his morning bottle. Just amazing. Nothing can really compare.

I've had some very emotional moments, and in due time I will let those feelings have their time in the sunshine and allow myself to de-brief but right now we're just so busy its easier to just get on with things. Life couldn't get much better right now. On so many levels we have let out a major sigh of relief.

DD is looking for boob so I will pop back in over the next few days.

Thank you all so much again xo

That's such wonderful news Infinity, glad everything is going so well, especially BFing :leap:
Glad to hear your birthday was so wonderful and you are soaking up the bliss of finally being together.
It's been wonderful following Heidi's and your progress and this is just the happiest ending - thank you so much for sharing it with us.
:loveshower:

It’s been such an amazing journey for your beautiful DD, you and your whole family (and I know there’s still a way to go yet). It has been such a privilege to be able to follow along, thank you so much for sharing. :hug:

Congratulations on such a wonderful and successful homecoming. :cheer:

Lovely to hear all is going so well. :hug:

YAY!!!
We are all so privileged to have shared this journey with you, thanks for letting us kmow how she is travelling at home, now just enjoy her! ( I'm sure no one needs to tell you that ! : )

Would love to see a photo of Miss Heidi ??? I am sure you have lots :lol:

It is wonderful to read about how she is doing at home. It was a privilege to read and follow your journey and hope we get to hear more about you precious Heidi as she grows.

beautiful beautiful beautiful!!!

That is so wonderful hun. Well done on everything!

Oh Infinity how wonderful. So happy to hear you have Heidi home and things are going well.
She certainly is a strong little lady and has a wonderfully strong family.

That was such a great post to read! :D absolutely fantastic to hear everything is going so well.

Thank you all again so much. I don't have the words to describe how important the support from the BB community has been over these last few months for us. I only hope somehow I can return it back to all of you.

Now that DD is home, I thought it was fitting that we close this thread. Rather symbolic isn't it? And I know the mods have given me some extra grace in relation to the length of this thread, and for that I am also sincerely grateful. This has helped me journal and de-brief the rollercoaster ride in so many ways.

So THANK YOU. A million times over. For all your love, generosity, support and care. For cheering our baby girl on and for keeping me floating above water at the deepest darkest times. Each and every one of you have made a difference to her progress, and we are eternally grateful.

Obviously I'll still be posting around the forums, but by closing this thread in a way we farewell the NICU/SCN journey and welcome our future at home.

Goodnight all :grouphug:
Laura

I am so so so happy for you hun, your journey has brought me to tears and I have jumped for joy at the highs.
Thankyou so much for sharing, and I am so so happy that the BF'ing is going so well, you are doing an amazing job :hug:
Take care xxoo

I got goosebumps reading your last post. I hope Heidi continues to be an inspiration and strength for you and your family
thank you for sharing your journey laura xx

Here's to bigger and better things for the gorgeous Miss Heidi :hug:

It's been a pleasure to be part of her story so far, and we look forward to keeping up with her progress.