After five and a half days at the hospital, we were finally able to bring Schuyler home on Wednesday evening. We could not have been more pleased with the care that we received at the hospital. All of the nurses and doctors were great and took good care of our little "peanut" or "petite little mademoiselle." (Those are the nicknames that the nurses gave S. So far, I have been leaning towards "munchkin" or "chipette." I will admit to accidentally calling her "Doober" which is Dixie's nickname on at least one occasion.)
When walked out of the elevator into the hospital lobby, Pachalbel's Canon in D was playing. I barely managed to keep it together! A nurse waited with S and I while Dad went to get the truck. That's right, the Subaru was in the shop so Schuyler's first car ride came in a pick-up truck listening to country music. We may be living in the northeast, but our baby girl will know her roots!
When we got home, we saw the decorations that Dad put out on Monday in anticipation of a timely arrival home. They held up really well despite some gloomy weather. Todd had pink balloons around the light fixtures and "It's a Girl" banners across the garage door and the front door. He also decorated the inside. He's very sweet.
S was definitely aware of a different environment, but we did make it through our first night alone! After giving her a quick bath, we took her to the pediatrician the next morning for her first check up and yet another blood test for her billirubin level. She got a great report and weighed in at 5 pounds, 2 ounces. (She was up an ounce from the day before so were pumped! I never would have imagined being so excited about ounces and billirubin levels.)
Meanwhile, the "Grandparent Brigade" arrived from Missouri. Their flight landed while we were at the doctor's office and they were anxiously awaiting our arrival back at the house. Needless to say, all four of them swarmed us at the back door and were in love at first sight. It has been wonderful having them here and they have been a huge help. We picked up the last member of our little family that night. Dixie had spent the past two nights at the kennel. She was excited to be home and I was just as excited to see her!
We brought Schuyler down from the nursery and put her in the car seat carrier on the coffee table. Dixie came over and gave her a sniff, wagged that long lab tail, and then attempted to lick any exposed body part. Dixie has been very good, but she is still a little confused about this new small person who is getting so much attention.
A quick word of "thanks" to our friends who helped us out while we were at the hospital. Laura and Eugene came down from Boston Friday night. They helped us pass some time at the hospital and were a nice distraction from increasing labor pains. They also stayed with Dixie Friday night before coming back to the hospital Saturday morning. I am so glad they were there. It was nice to have someone in the waiting room. After S was born, Todd went out to deliver the news to them. His words: "She came out!"
Our friends Kevin, Lauren, and Greg were also a huge help. Kevin and Lauren even brought us dinner from The Cheesecake Factory one night. The four of us ate together in the hospital cafeteria. It was delicious and it was nice to get out of our room for a while. We are thankful to have made such good friends here.
