First night went great!! 12:46pm

Hi, all!! Gracie is adapting great at home.. Other than the ride home & feeding times being interuppted, she did okay.  And we were able to resume her normal feeding times today.

I know I should have pictures ready to post, but I don't.  Just wanted to give everyone a quick update.. she was only awake from 11-6 twice & that was for poopy diapers.

This morning, around 6:30, she woke up for a little & then fell back to sleep til 7:45a.m.

She's just such a blessing!! It still feels a little surreal.  Last night, when we first got home I was extremely overwhelmed & felt like I really need to get everything done..LAST NIGHT.. things put away & in a 'place'.. but after cuddling with Gracie for a bit.. I've letting go of that.

Today, we are just hanging out the two of us this morning & Daddy went to work.. he'll be back by 1:00ish for the afternoon. 

Vevo & Vevoo visited & I took pictures of both holding her..with her eyes wide opened.

It's been a great day!

I'm cooking PORK CHOPS tonight for dinner..(for you Kelly)

 praying Will goes home today..

I'll post pics later..

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max

We are home!! 9:53pm

We are home!! It feels great to have all 3 of us under the same roof.. I was a little nervous & overwhelmed when we first arrived (about 3:30pm).. just trying to get the pumps and feedings & oxygen organized.  The pumps make a LOT of noise.. so we might be up a little more tonight..but hope to get into our own little 'groove.'

Here's Gracie's going home outfit:

Rock Princess.. (for Will :) who will hopefully go home tomorrow!! We miss you guys!!

And this is our favorite Neo natalogist, "Uncle" Dr. Peter ..

Everyone was so excited to see us go.. and were given kisses to Gracie.  Since we've been home, Gracie has slept in her crib for about an hour & each one of our arms too.

Heather & Mady stopped by with some plastic containers to keep all our stuff.  Thanks to Heather we have groceries for the week.  And to Paula for cleaning up a little around here.. a good dusting & vacuuming too... if you could only see it now Paula.. arghhh..

Well, I am tired.. & I think it's going to be a long night..

Wish us luck!!

Thanks for all the well wishes.. I'll keep you all posted..

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max



Thank You to MMC 4:53a.m.

My alarm is set for 6:00 a.m. anyway, so I might as well stay awake.

I wanted to write a quick note to the doctors, and nurses at Maine Medical Center.. NICU:

Over the last 125 days, you have seen us at our highs & lows.  Many of you have gotten to know us personally.. and we have had many a laughs, and you have seen ME (specifically) cry quite a few times.  Today, I cry with tears of joy, but also some sadness.  Maine will ALWAYS have a special part in my heart & in our family.  I promise to send pictures & keep you all updated.  And we will be back for NICU reunions & even just for long weekend stays & be sure to visit. (although Gary might not think so!)

Please try to have "continuity" to your patients. There's nothing like leaving one day & coming back to something different in the morning.  Nurses, you have an important job.. you are the frontline to the baby's & the parents..if you don't like your job, or you are unhappy.. you are doing an unjustice to us & yourselves.. Get a JOB you enjoy!!

Too many to list personally, but that you to the NNP staff (Cindy, Ann & Dianne..)

the MD Staff:  Dr. Peter, Dr. McBee, Dr. Frehm, Dr. Vittorito, Dr.Vozzelli, Dr. Morrow :)

& Dr. Sobeil. 

All the nurses who have cared for Gracie over the last 125 days, Thank you!

Margo said a long time ago, "it takes a village"..

And all of you are the village truly where she comes from!!

Thank you for your gracious hands on her head, her belly (thanks Dr. Langer!), her legs (marisa & OT).. She is a miracle baby.. and although I wouldn't want anyone to go thru what we have.. We are stronger because of it!

Love,

Gracie! & her mom & dad..

Good-bye Maine! 4:36a.m.

Good morning.. a little early, but still from Portland, ME.

After 125 days, the next chapter will begin.. HOME!!  I haven't slept much (getting ready for that) tonight..I've been up almost every hour..maybe feelings of anxiousness to get her, readiness to bring her home & nervousness to have her home.  I'm feeling slightly emotional too!

I woke up at 4:14 (paladrome!) with this thought:

 Tears of joy & sadness may be shed

Today our daughter is going home at 6lbs. 12oz.

Enough said!

Chubby Cheeks!!

I was thinking that there were many nights here at the RmcD house that I cried & stayed awake thru the night praying.. "Please God let her be ok".

Tonight, I prayed:

 "Thank you God.. Thank you God.. for letting her be who she is to be so strong to come home with us finally.  Thank you for getting her strong so we can take her home, give us strength to get thru the days knowing we had our beloved son for at least four days."

We will always have Maxwell's memory in Maine, and in our hearts.  Maine will always hold special meaning.. and after all is said & done.. it's truly a story for Grace to know growing up.  She has been an amazing little girl already.. can you imagine what she is destined for?? She has been a fighter since the beginning.  As a mom, now, I'm sorry for 1/2 the stuff she has had to go thru..but look at her.. she has been gaining weight, eating by a bottle, and is doing incredibly well.  A true miracle.  A true blessing.

Special thanks to all of you who read my blog everyday!! I will continue to update it & post pictures.. as everyday there will be a new change, I am sure!!

Thanks to my email friends, whom I've never met.. Julie R. & Nichole T. .. they've been chatting with me since I was on bedrest, July 21st!!

Thanks to my friends in Fairhaven.. Heather & the family..who went grocery shopping for me yesterday, among many many other things..   Paula & Peter.. for cleaning for us, laundry & even cooking!!  Linda & Don, who unfort, have had the duty of mail intake weekly & garbage day!

For all the prayers we've received for both Grace & Max.

For Dalila that has always given me a shoulder to cry on.

For Theresa that has only always spoken the truth.

For my Mom & Dad.. who sometimes don't get enough credit.. Gary & I love you!

And for Grandpa & Grandma Noni in NY.. with cookies, k-cups & lots of pink onesies.. Thank you!!

I know there are so many others.. because we are truly blessed with friends & family.

My grade school buddy, Wendy.. Thank you!

My long lost walking buddy.. thanks for reading daily :).

We did it, because we HAD to.. but we love you because you didn't have to, but you did!

I'll post later with pictures of Gracie going home!!

Good-bye Maine!

love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max

Final Days. 5:51pm

Hi! The last few days at home have been very hectic, fun, and tiresome!! We got alot done around the house, to get it organized..then had my shower last night & got overwhelmed all over again.  Thanks to everyone who came out & who was generous in their gift giving.  We got a video monitor, lots of clothes, lots of diapers, lot of gift certificates (which we've already used some).  We had good food, watched a slide of the babies.. from August 3rd til now.. Gracie has gotten dramatically bigger :) .. she looks soo different!  She is really starting to fill out!! So cute!!  We had good cake & my MIL sent some cookies & bars for dessert that were delicious.  I do have pictures..but I'll have to post them seperately.  But here is the centerpieces, done by my friend, Heather (& her daughters Abby & Mady).. they are such a wonderfully, creative family.

The centerpieces were pictures of Gracie in the middle of this flower, and in pots!!

 Sooo cute!

This is Gracie today.. on the right.. doesn't she look SOO big!! She is 124 days old,
& 6lbs. 11 oz.  She is doing soo GREAT!!

We got back to Maine this morning around 10:30.. and it was a little chaotic at first.. trying to get the formula instructions down for home feeds & just trying to work the feeding pump (seems that's taken most of the energy this afternoon).. but we're getting it. 

We also have her on the O2 monitor we'll take home.. doesn't beep as much as we thought it would.. that's a good thing!!  Tomorrow, someone will come & show us the g-tube care, and just in case it falls out..what to do.  And someone will come & instruct on the car seat & getting the base in the car.  So.. then, we'll be on our way HOME!

That's right.. Gracie is going HOME tomorrow!!!

Trust me we are excited & nervous..but I'm sad about saying good-bye to my friends up here.  My NICU family.. Here's me & Dianne (a NNP)

Dianne has been with Gracie since day 1.. she was the NNP that actually admitted Gracie.

So, she is very happy with Gracie's progress.. like we all are!!

We were able to say good bye to Cindy today too.. (another NNP), who has done ALOT of the paperwork (among others..) for our discharge.  Thank you, Cindy!!  Everyone has been really helpful, really!! Cathy B. was here today as well, she is the discharge planner.. just checking in.  Faythe, a Respiratory Therapist, also came in for a hug & a 'good-bye' to Gracie.  Gracie is so loved here...

Tonight, we will be back in here for the 11 o'clock feeding... just to make sure we understand the feeding machine for a continous feed.  Then it's off to try to sleep for 6 hours, til we have to be back in the morning.

She was in her Mamaroo again today.. we'll be buying one for her by the end of the week.. with some additional Gift Certificates we got for her.  She loves her mamaroo.

Well, the end is near.. we are getting excited!!

Hope to do dinner tonight with Josh & Kelley.. Will is getting ready to go home very soon too!!

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max

Late night Post.. 10:56pm

I'm tired!  I can't even remembered what happen today.. I forget things when I'm home

oh, yea.. I had a breakfast, financial church meeting that went well..

then home to start working on the house.. oh boy! what a mess when you haven't been home in four months.  Our friends, Paula & Peter came by this afternoon to help move some furniture.. that is done.  Then we had a surprise party for Paula's 40th.  She was very suprised, it was very nice!

Grace is 6lbs. 7 oz today!! 122 days old. (4 mos tomorrow!!)

She is growing like a weed.  We got reports from the hospital today that a few nurses came by to 'snuggle' & give Gracie a 'hug'.. for it was the last day they were going to see her, as she gets ready to go home.

We miss her! She has soo many onesies.. crazy!  Paula helped me put her clothes and blankies in drawers.. we are slowly getting her room/nursery put together.

Tomorrow is a hair appointment, then going to look for a dresser & rocker recliner..

and a few more errands before my Baby Shower!!  Which, I'm really looking forward to. 

Heather has done soo much work for the shower & her creative mind is really a talent.  I can't wait to share pictures with all of you tomorrow.

I have got to go to BED!!

Happy 40th Paula!!

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max

Happy December 1st! 7:34pm

Hi, all.. I'm soooo tired.  My mom came over this afternoon & we made a small dent in the house.. we have a lot of stuff to still put away & give away.. clutter, clutter.. just trying to make sense of it all. And I'm not a clutterer.. I would throw it all away if I could.  LOL

I had a rough start to the day.. just thinking about 'balance' & getting things done in the next 48 hours..to get back to our girlie girl & bring her home.  Thinking about leaving MMC.. and sad.  I know I'll be fine once Grace & I have a routine at home.. I'll miss all my friends & the family I have come to know in the last 120 days at Maine Medical..but I will have more to do once she's home.. I'm just sad, this transition is going to be tough!

Mom & Dad took out to dinner tonight..a celebration that Gracie is coming home.. It was very nice.. Thanks!!

When I got home last night, my friend, Lisa..letft this stuff for me in that purple "Princess" stocking.. at my door! Soo awesome.. a swaddle me, some hangers & burp cloths.. & a "little princess on board" sign.. soo nice!! I loved it.. Thanks, Lisa!! (& Tony, Ant & Belle).




Finding my Thumb..

Grace is 121 days old today! She is 6lbs. 4oz.

We checked in with her nurse this am, and she did her car seat angle test & did well.

We miss her!!! :)

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & Max