The day we came home.

The NICU at Parker Adventist Hospital was our home for two weeks. It had its ups and downs. We disliked being away from Hunter and having to be away from our beds but I have to admit that it was wonderful getting to be near so many nurses and doctors and to learn how to have an infant once again. Babies are wonderful and mysterious little packages that delight and scare us all at once. Dave and I knew that the first two weeks of Malakai's life were very important for us to get to know him. We made sure to be at the NICU for at least 5 out of his 8 feedings in a 24 hour period. We changed his diapers, gave him baths, dressed him, talked to him, did some skin to skin time and basically, just stared at him as often as possible. We had several nurses that we absolutely LOVED and they will be a part of Kai's life story forever. Our first nurse was with us 11 out of the 15 days that we were there and we fell in love with her. Danielle taught us patience with Kai and general care more than any other nurse did. She is one of the sweetest people that I have ever met. Pam was only our nurse two times but she was the one that got us comfortable with feeding Kai the most. Her techniques were priceless. Vanessa was our night nurse 4-5 times and there isn't anybody else that I would have felt more comfortable leaving our son with during those long night hours. I have to say that I came home with wisdom, knowledge, patience and peace because of the staff at Parker!

Danielle with Kai right after he was born!

Dave and I want to thank everyone who prayed for us and for Malakai while we were at the hospital. We know that it's because of all of you that we actually got to come home so early! Last Sunday the 20th they were telling me that Kai was doing so well that it might be a week before we were home. I was hopeful but I knew things could change and we could still be there until the middle of February. Dave and I worked patiently and hard as we learned to read Kai's cues for feeding and we got better and better. Wednesday the 30th we came in for his regular feeding and the Doctor announced that we would get to go home the next day. I couldn't believe my ears!!! We all rejoiced once again!

 On Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:00pm we brought Kai home.

We were waiting out in the hallway for our special moment!!!

Walking out of the Birth Place at Parker Adventist.