I didn't know that today is National Prematurity Day (thank you, Facebook) and it is quite appropriate for us as five years ago today Ethan came home from the hospital after spending his first seven months living in various ICU rooms. Not long ago, I was viewing one of the videos we took of him during the car ride home. Looking back I was shocked they sent him home! You can watch him work so hard with every single breath. That day will always be vivid memory for us--cemented forever--every detail remembered. His long labored breathing. His wide, curious eyes attempting to take in so much. I can only imagine the sensory overload he experienced with new sights, sounds, smells and sensations at every turn of his head. The first visit from the home nurse, the late delivery of oxygen and equipment, the frustration that he had been without humidity for longer than recommended that day, and on and on. So much took place that day, along with the days that led up to us bringing our baby home. I remember thinking that I could feel the prayers embracing us as we went through our day.
This is from the first week home--it never ceases to amaze me that he was at the hospital for seven months.
From a couple week ago--amazing what he has accomplished.
He has come so far and we try to remember that daily. It can be easy to get caught up in areas that still need work and that isn't always bad. It is good to keep a realistic picture of progress as long as we remember the progress thus far. Medications alone are a great reminder of progress. He only has three (excluding his EpiPen) and one is a protein powder for weight gain. The other two are for his nebulizer.
Looking back it is clear that Ethan is certainly a miracle.
