Monday, February 23, 2009

100 Days and Finally Home!

That's right...Reed is finally home!! He actually got released on his 100th day at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. I was not going to post about the possibility of him getting to come home because every other time that I have done that, he has done something to mess it up:-)
We left the hospital around 3:30 on Friday afternoon and this is what the boys came home in. I did have their pretty day gowns ironed for them but we decided this coming home was going to be a little bit more layed back! Reed was the bigger baby at birth but Braden has definitely passed him. After lying in a bed for 100 days, it is hard to stay caught up to his brother. Reed is only about 9 pounds right now and his muscle tone is pretty weak. He will catch up but it is going to take some time. I am sure that Braden will not let him get too far behind.This was one of Reed's doctors at VU. Dr. Langley has to do rotations and she was with us when Reed was in the NICU and ended with him in on the 6th floor. Our complete family ready to go home!
Reed's first carseat experience. He went right to sleep when we got in the car. I hope that Reed is rubbing off on Braden for how to behave in his carseat. Braden likes to cry for a few minutes then tires himself out but he went right to sleep with no fight that afternoon. Our sweet boys home at last together. They better get used to hanging out with one another since they will be confined to home for February and March:-) Reed has to stay away from big crowds at first but can have visitors as long as they remember to wash their hands. However, we need to keep him away from little kids since they are little carriers of all kinds of sicknesses. How in the world am I going to balance both of these boys as the same time???? I am super excited to have Reed home, but I am a little stressed about giving the care and attention they both need. I am going to have to suck it up and just be able to ask for help. Those cute green and white striped polos on the back of the chair were the boys' coming home gifts from the Crawfords!
I will need to take some pictures of the boys in their Sunday clothes since they will not be able to wear those for a while. I will save that for a day that I have too much time on my hands....so don't be expecting those pictures any time soon. Reed taking his little bottle. He is practicing this along with getting milk through the tube. Please pray that he will continue to improve in taking a bottle and not need his tube much longer. We need this little guys to put on some pounds! Reed chillin' in the boppy. Doesn't he look happy to be home?! Braden chilin' on the couch catching up on some Baby Einstein that he has missed going back and forth to Vandy every day! Braden was carrying on a little conversation with Reed trying to tell him what all that he has missed out on at home. I am so excited to watch them grow and watch their bond as brothers grow strong! This was us hanging out on Saturday. The boys once again in Polo!
So I had this bright idea to take the boys out for a stroller ride since I bought a double jogging stroller. It was a little cool outside, but Ryan and I bundled them up to go out. As you can tell below, the trip did not go so well! Ryan and I got them in the stroller, Reed starting crying, Braden then started to cry, but I thought they might quit when we started strolling. Wrong!! We made it maybe to our next door neighbors driveway and turned around! So here were our Two Angry Bears that both went to sleep five minutes after we got in the door. That's not a bad trade-off if they would both go to sleep each time:-)
Reed's first bath went well. He cried at first but then really seemed to like it. His scars are all healed up so they can be in water. I love this picture of my dad with Reed. Don't you just love his mohawk hair cut thanks to his IV line that was in his head. Most parents worry about their sons going to camp coming home with some crazy hair cut but I have already experienced that with a 3 month old! Braden is not for sure what to think about his brother coming home. Thankfully he loves to play by himself for a good part of the day but don't get me wrong, he loves to be walked around too!
Today, Reed had his first check-up with Dr. Dodd. He will go every Monday and Thursday for 3 weeks, then just every Monday for 6 weeks, then every other week and so on and so on! He did very well while getting his echo done and his EKG. He threw a fit when he was getting his temperature taken..go figure! Hisheart still looks great. We still need prayers for this little guy because he is never in the clear with his new heart! We are so very very thankful to have him home with us!

28 comments:

carol said...

I was so glad to see pics. Everyone has been asking me if you were going to continue once you got home. And I said yes, when they get a chance. Cause their are so many people out of town who are family ,friends, and prayer warriors that have become attached to the boys. I'm so glad that he is adjusting as that was a long time with no tv sounds lots of noise staying in a pretty confined area. Home is always so different. but it is good to be at home with mom, dad, and brother. plus granmas and grandpas aunts uncles everyone.. I keep marking the days off only 11 or 12 more. Tell the grannies and your mom and dad cause we would sure like to see them. Well bye for now. In Gods word always. Love Gram P.S. we are still praying as always..

The Hadfields said...

YAY!! I'm so glad that you have both boys at home now. They both look great. Good luck getting settled!!

Beth and Harrison said...

I'm so glad he is home!! He looks so good. I know that things must be really crazy and overwhelming right now and I pray that you and Ryan can get the boys into a routine and that you can get some rest! Please call me if you ever need anything. If you ever just start feeling overwhelmed and need some extra hands, I'm only a mile away!! I will continue to pray for all of you each and every day. Love, Beth

Melissa said...

Praise the Lord!! I was wondering what was going on since there had not been a post in a few days. It was good news, and I am so thankful for that. The pictures at home are adorable. We also had the same experience with Katelyn and her first stroller ride. We only made it to the neighbors house.. then she fell asleep as soon as we got back home. We would love to come visit sometime. I will come on a Tuesday or Thursday when Rylee is at school. We will probably wait until March or so. I will give you a call or talk to your Mom about coming by.

Love to all!
Melissa Mallicoat

mandiandjosh said...

KeKe!!! Thanks for the update!!! What great pictures of Reed going home. It is so funny they both fell asleep in the carseat. I would love to help you anytime. I could just drop p off at his Gran's and be right over:)

Anonymous said...

Ryan and Keeley,
I am so happy to see them both together at home! I know you are both super excited too! We will keep you in our prayers!

Jay and Deanna

Anonymous said...

Yay! I'm so happy you have both your boys home! :)

Anonymous said...

Keeley!!!
When i got the text on Friday, we were at Winterfest and EVERYONE was so excited and cheering about the GREAT news! They are so precious and I love all the coming home pics!!
Now... you know that I am their #1 babysitter and i will be over there at the drop of a hat when you need me!!! I can't wait to help!!!

Anonymous said...

We are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thrilled for you all. Thanks for sharing this journey with all of us through your blog. We love you!

Brent, Em, Houston & Hunter

Sheena White said...

I love all the pics of the first few at home. It is wonderful to see your family together and the boys together. I am sure that they missed each other. You all are in my thoughts daily. I know that this time is wonderful and challenging. You and Ryan are in my prayers as you learn to balance two boys at home. We love you all!

Aunt Sheena

Elizabeth S said...

Seeing the pics of the boys together makes me soooo thankful to God!! I know you are thrilled to have them home.

Anonymous said...

Keeley and Ryan, So glad those sweet babies are finally home and together again. Love that precious picture of your Dad holding Reed. They are lucky little boys to have such an amazing extended family to love them. God bless you all. Gayle Taylor

Stacey said...

We are so glad you are home and cozy! I can't imagine what you have been through but glad everyone is doing well. We will continue to keep Reed and your family in our prayers.

Lanie said...

Praise God! You do such a great job updating the blog and telling stories with pictures. I am so encouraged to read the huge response from the last post. What a blessing it will be to reflect on those prayers/comments in years to come. We have prayed for you all consistently throughout this process and recruited our friends here in Birmingham to be praying as well.

Reed's story has had a special place in my heart, as so many aspects of the situation reminded me of my family's story with my brother. Wade was born with 4 congenital heart defects which were undetected at birth. After being sent home healthy, he shut down and turned blue at 10 days old. He was intubated in a local ped's office and rushed to Vandy for emergency open heart the next day. He was known throughout the hospital as the Franklin baby that the doctors were able to save.

The pics of Reed with all the tubes, the dramatic coloring difference post-op, complicated med regimens and even the haircut story were exactly like Wade's situation. He had a 2nd surgery 6 months later, but had to be kept at home during the in between time since he was so susceptible. Our family just became accustomed to what had to be done. The 2nd open heart went great as well. His scars or "zippers" looked just like Reed's, but have completely healed to be hardly noticeable now.

There were so many ups and downs during the process. Although he will likely have to have more surgeries in the future, he is completely healthy, intelligent, athletic, and is an amazing (14 year old) man of God.

This experience glued my family together in a way that I can't describe. So many perspectives on life were shifted. My family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from God's people throughout the process. People all over the country prayed fervently for Wade, just as thousands have for Reed.

I encourage you to continue to take things one day at a time. Fortunately, God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." (Eph 3:20) What a blessing to be able to serve such an amazing God.

Enjoy the time you share together at home. Let people help whenever they can, too. Thanks for allowing us to share in your story. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers.

With love,
Lanie Walters

Missy said...

I am so happy for you all!! May God continue to bless you! You have lots people praying for you!

lyla said...

congratulations! i am so happy for you guys! i'm sure it will be an adjustment for the next few days and reed probably won't know what to do without all the attention from doctors and nurses! as for the walk--there were many times i had to turn around and go home when i was just in front of the neighbors' house with both of mine! that picture of them crying is too funny!

juliette said...

Congratulations.It is a wonderful feeling to be at home as a family and have your boys together again.
Reed and Braden are special gifts from God.
Juliette Allen

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so so so excited that you have your ENTIRE family at home! They are just ADORABLE! We are so happy for you all...
Josh and Jamie

Anonymous said...

I am so excited that you have both of your boys home now. A lot of prayers have been said over the last several months in their behalf. Your blog has been wonderful and kept us up to date and I love the pictures! I will continue to pray for all of you and can't wait for the day when the boys will be in the pool splashing around!

mkburcham said...

Keeley!! I am so happy to see pics of Reed at home! That one of Braden talking to Reed is so precious-it will be so amazing for you to watch their bond grow! I remember taking some walks with Jonas in the stroller then turning right around to head back..those babies sure do know how to get what they want!!! ha! I will keep praying for little Reed to keep getting stronger...and for all of you for the adjustment...and rest when you can, that is one of the best things you can do as a mommy!! Love you and looking forward to more pics!

The Byrd Family said...

What a wonderful blessing and answered prayers! I absolutley love the picture of Braden looking at Reed. The bond of brothers is so priceless! Many fun days ahead!!

Anonymous said...

Ryan, Keeley, Braden and Reed, We are so thankful to God for answering our many prayers and that you are now home as a family of four. It sounds as if all is going as to be expected. You all will continue to be in our prayers and especially Reed for continued good progress and his overall health. Thank you so very much for the posts on your blog to keep us all informed and for all the adorable pictures which give us a lttle insight into the family happenings. God bless each of you. Love, Randy and Carolyn Wright

The Speck family said...

These pics bring such tears to my eyes~ what sweet, sweet boys they are (and beautiful!). We could not be more happy for you and will keep praying for Reed's heart. Love, Kelly, Travis & Bennett

Jennifer C said...

Congratulations on having both boys home with you!
What wonderful news!!!!!

Dawn said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

How wonderful to have them both home...wonderful.

Sara said...

Oh, I am SO HAPPY AND EXCITED for y'all. I've been praying so long for this day:)

carol said...

Ok I've tried to be patient. One baby is hard so I know twins must be something else. But I want to see some more pics. And I know I'm not the only one. So if your waiting to update for after his doctor visit tommorow thats fine but we all out here in e-mail space want more . You and Ryan spoiled us. And we know home pics are going to only get better and better. they change so much from day to day. You see them all the time. You don't notice the little changes that we do. Hoping you all are getting some rest, that the boys are doing great, that Reed has not spit up a whole lot and is learning to down his bottles. Just all kinds of round about prayers for all of you. Love and in God's word always, Gram and Papa T

The Gomez Family said...

I am so happy for you and your family! I have been following your blog and have been extremely touched. My dad had a heart transplant almost 6 years ago now and I remember it like it was yesterday. Praise God for the amazing things that he makes happen. You have a beautiful family!!! Good Luck with those boys...I am sure they will keep you busy :)