The Chris Daughtry song seemed appropriate enough- Sunday was our homecoming!! It was a long day getting out of there, but worth every minute of it!
Steve went up first while I let Riley pig out on Pop Tarts at the House (a treat for him since we don't keep them at home). I was dying to get the report on how Liam did over night, to find out if we were really going home today. I waited and waited and texted Steve and waited. He finally came back to the house- he had no signal up there (pooh!). He said Liam came through the night like a champ and everyone says discharge should be possible today but no doctors had rounded yet to verify.
During the morning break we took a quick trip over to the Toys R Us/ Babies R Us to get some last minute items. Now that we knew how big Liam was going to be coming home we could get the right sized diapers, nipples for bottles, and an outfit to go home in. We decided against doing a fancy outfit because who's going to see him besides just all of us right now anyway? By the sound of things we probably wouldn't get discharged till later in the day anyway- too late for any visitors (never mind needing to keep germs to a minimum). Steve picked out a Daddy's All Star baseball outfit (he IS an All-Star/ Rock Star isn't he? Liam- not Steve. :) ). We also got Riley a new Monopoly game since he loved playing the one at the House so much. Ri was such a trooper through the whole ordeal.
Steve and I went up in the afternoon and the doctor had Liam's chart and was writing his discharge summary!!! We were told this can take a few hours so we busied ourselves with last minute paperwork with the nurse and then headed back to the House to pack up and clean out our room there. We still couldn't believe it was all about the happen!! Mal and Shez entertained Riley at the House while we went back up to get our baby boy.
It felt surreal getting into the car with him. Like at any moment they would say- oh wait, there's been a mistake- bring him back. Or something would happen with him to where we'd have to turn around and take him back. But no- all was fine, we pulled up to the Ronald McDonald House for hopefully the last time (except for visits!) and Riley finally got to meet his little brother face-to-face. He was so very proud and so excited. This is the big brother I knew! We all three piled in the back of the car and Daddy drove us home. Riley commented on us now being a family of four. I couldn't stop grinning. I caught Steve looking at us in the review mirror, so happy his family was all together again and he was taking us home.
Riley gave Liam a complete run down of the neighborhood as we pulled in. He's quite the seasoned big brother already! I was half-teasing when changing Liam when I asked Ri to throw away the dirty diaper. He said- no problem mom! I know how to work the diaper pail! We then all got settled in on the couch so Riley could hold Liam for the first time. I was worried Ri would be disappointed because Liam was fussing when I handed him over, but Riley must be a baby whisperer because Liam calmed right down in his big brother's arms. He even gave Liam his bottle and looked like a pro! I think these two are going to be quite a pair!
Thanks to all of you who took this journey with us. I'll post as events happen, but probably not every day. I do owe y'all lots of pictures, so check back frequently this week as we get them all posted. We couldn't have made it through in such high spirits without every one of you supporting us along the way. We are truly thankful for everything.
Much love,
The Ripp Family of Four. :)
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