Wow, today is surprisingly filled with so many emotions. We are so grateful our Madi Grace has made it to her big day. When strangers walk up and ask me how old she is, I no longer have to say her adjusted age in gestational weeks, or joke that she's negative zero as they give me a look of shock when I say she's (insert number of actual) weeks old. I can finally read informational stuff on the google or from the doctor and say...oh this should happen in x amount of real weeks now...and not have to add nine. We MIGHT ACTUALLY BE six weeks or so away from an actual stretch of more than two and a half hours of sleep. We might actually be close to feeding her in a normal position, and closer to going out in public more comfortably. She no longer looks like a preemie. She looks like a beautiful newborn. WE HAVE MADE IT FRIENDS.
So, naturally, I did what any mom would do on this day...
I dressed her up in her original going home outfit and did a mini photoshoot, duh. Wouldn't every mom do that? Kidding aside, I wanted to see how she would look as if we were taking her home today. I had purchased her going home outfit months ago, one that is simple with a single "M" initial, a sweet hat with her full name on it, very similar to big brother's going home outfit except hers has sweet ruffles. It is still a little big, but that's ok...her brother's was too.
Isn't she beautiful in all her HEALTHY, cheeky, precious newborn-ish-ness? I thought so. She's growing well, up to about seven pounds now...per my rough calc on my own scale today. We will find out more next week at her next doctor's appointment.
In the past nine weeks we have gotten to know and love this precious girl. We have snuggled with, sang to, head-rubbed, and kissed this face countless times. We have prayed more than we ever have. We have learned more than I ever thought I would need to learn about a baby. We now know what each sound and squirm means. We have seen her master so many things that she previously struggled with. We are grateful for a happy, healthy, finally "newborn" baby.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes that have gotten us to this point. Without you all, we wouldn't have made it this far. I appreciate and value so much every phone call, text, Facebook message and follow up. I have grown closer to so many people and have been in shock at the amount of love in the hearts of you all and baffled by the kindness of complete strangers. They say it takes a village, and that is completely accurate. A huge thank you to our parents for showing up without us needing to ask, literally all camping out at our house, assigning out responsibilities and days for care of Brady, driving me around when I couldn't, filling our refrigerator and freezer with food, handling everything so our transition would be seamless...we are so grateful for you. To our friends who have called, messaged, stopped by and checked on us and prayed for us...thank you. To the complete strangers who have changed my life with your kindness...thank you. I never imagined I could feel so loved and cared for. As I type this with tears in my eyes, I have to sit back and take a moment to pause. Your kindness, your love...the love from my tribe, my village...it has changed me. It has carried us. Because of you, we have made it to this big day. Thank you.
