A Grand Homecoming

It's Tuesday, July 24th, and today is the day that we brought Luke home from the hospital.  The hospital visit was long, exhausting, and the most emotionally intense experience I have ever had in my life.  By far.

While there were several initial concerns about the little guy from his shoulder dystocia (meaning that his shoulders were too wide to pass through Kara's pelvis), they are all markedly better or completely resolved already which is a huge relief.  Lack of oxygen, abnormal CBC results, signs of infection, fairly bad bruising to his skull, forehead, and face, jaundice, and initial respiratory issues were just a handful of some of the things that the little guy had to battle in the first 96 hours of life, but he is a champ already and is now perfectly healthy.  We will be eternally grateful for the amazing staff at St. Vincent for helping Luke get out of the womb safely, helping Kara be safe and cared for, and then helping Luke recover and get stronger.  The nurses, doctors, and NICU staff were just amazing.  

We are so happy to be bringing Luke home today.  It's a celebration of God's blessing and life's biggest miracle (and mystery, as far as I'm concerned....).  Luke is the most perfect little boy in the world and we we are so happy to have him all to ourselves.  Putting him in that car seat and into the car and driving away from the hospital was an awesome experience.  I even teared up a little bit when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw Luke smiling in his little car seat.

Now that we do have Luke home, it hasn't taken long for the realization to set in that he is now totally under our care, and it's up to us (and only us...) to make sure he's safe.  There comes a lot of pressure with that, and it's a bit scary, especially for someone like me who hasn't been around babies their whole life.  I am so thankful not only that Kara is such a naturally wonderful mother, but that we can learn and grow together as new parents.  We have always had a very strong and awesome marriage, but I've truly never felt closer to anyone than I feel to her now.

I have worried a bit about being a father, about making the right choices and doing the right things, especially when Luke gets old enough that my choices are no longer just keeping him safe, but are molding him as a young man.  While at the hospital this last weekend, I mentioned this concern in passing to my mom, and her response was as follows:  "Dave, all they need is your love, your support, and your time.  If you can give them that, the rest will fall into place."  I have no doubt that Kara and I can do that.

I wanted to close this blog by saying how thankful we are a for all of our friends and family that have helped us over the past week, and will continue to provide support and prayers.  We have literally been surrounded by calls, texts, visits, messages, meals, gifts, and prayers.  You all have no idea how awesome it is to know that Luke has such an amazing support system of people who care about him and his parents.  Thank you all so much, and please....(after the next few weeks).....don't EVER hesitate to call on Kara and I when you need something.  We are eager for the opportunity to pay it forward.

Daddy has to prove to the hospital staff that he knows how to use the car seat.

We're going where?  To the house?  Isn't there a really big dog there?

Ready to go.  Let's do this.