Maria Mikaela ...Home at Last - August 25, 2012

I joked with one of the nurses when I visited our daughter Mika one afternoon with the statement "we will take our daughter home since the 'taxi meter' has become so high already"  followed by the resounding giggles and laughter in the nursery.  The following day, we visited Mika's pediatrician Dr. Dennis Absin (one of the 3 specialists in  Cagayan de Oro City that handles underweight and premature babies) to inquire about our daughter's condition after almost a month under his care. We asked him if we could take our baby home by Saturday (August 25, 2012). Dr. Absin's response was like music.  I posted at Facebook that I wanted to do somersault, tumbling, etc. Instead, I went to the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral followed by a noontime mass to have my simple and private thanksgiving to God ...with tears ....and tears heheheh...talagang tears ...of joy. 

That night of the same day, I was so busy with my simple preparation while my husband went to and from the hospital for the breastmilk that I and our milk donor named Marsha produced everyday.  I cleaned the house (we sent our trial nanny home for a very "good" reason that I and my husband determined while we were daily observing and evaluating how she would be with Mika), unfolding a crib (with my skinny strong arms:-) ),  sorted and arranged Mika's clothes and prepared a small bag where I placed some stuffs that she could wear as she  goes home.  I slept so late but with deep joy and shouts of gladness in my heart:-) ...plus with some silent thoughts of thanksgiving to God... halleluah...

At the hospital the following day, bills were so high but we were so thankful to God for the discount given to us by Mika's pediatrician.  I and Mike  decided to focus more on the blessing of having our little girl ...a wonderful gift and addition to are small family (I could not help but shed tears everytime I remember how one year ago, we were so busy preparing for our wedding and almost one year after that, a new member of the family joined us on July 28, 2012).  

What followed after that was the march to the nursery. I and Mike ...the new parents held hands as we excitedly received our baby from the nurses that took care of her.  Mike's excitement was so evident as I had mixture of feelings such as my anxieties and fear if I would be able or capable to take care of our fragile daughter.  But seeing and hearing Mike utter some of his private marching yells "let's bring Mika home..." over and over again made me regain my courage to stand up for our little girl and my very inspired husband.

At the nursery,  we received list of instructions from the nurse in-charge followed by some photo shoots with all the nurses that took care of our little girl.  We bade goodbye with all their eyes on us we walked passed all the nurses at the station.  I did not mind anymore what they may have thought of us.  I just wanted us to be out of the hospital and start a life as a family after almost one month "life challenge"  (that's how i call what we as a family have undergone) that God threw at us (with all His mighty protection:-) ...THANK YOU GOD.

We left the hospital few minutes past 3 in the afternoon (almost the same time that Mika was born) on the 25th of August).  I carried Mika in my arms (while I saw the curious look of a woman ... that scanned by body...haha ...i really don't look like i just delivered my baby  a month ago due to the fit blouse and jeans that  I wore).  

Huh...it was a big relief when we got home.  I had some words of welcome posted on the wall for Mika.  Guests flocked in days after that while I and my husband explored and experimented random ways of taking care of Mika and making her comfortable with us.  

At this time...it just feels to so good sleeping at night (hahaha though i really don't get much of it) and waking up with someone new in the house... Looking back ...it was such a very warm welcome to the new and permanent member of our family :-)