Friday, September 11, 2009

Home Sweet Home

Our butterfly has landed! The long awaited day had finally arrived: September 8, 2009. We were so very excited to go pick our little pumpkin up. After lots of packing, waiting and saying our heartfelt goodbyes, we were well on our way.

Onlookers probably thought we were stealing this precious little child. I have to admit, we were swerving around the UCD maze as though it were an agility course and we were attempting to break the world record! There was nothing like crossing the threshold of the hospital door and knowing there was no looking back. No more hospital rooms. No more beeps throughout the night. No more visiting our baby. No more leaving her behind!

We finally arrived home at 7:30 pm. We carefully brought her into her room and gently laid her in her very own bed...as though she was a new baby coming home for the very first time! This was one of the happiest moments of my entire life. Her room has painted animals all over the walls. She immediately looked around at all of these creatures, as she melted like butter into her bed. She was so at ease and quickly slipped off to sleep. We could not stop staring at her and saying how she was the most beautiful being we had ever laid eyes on. She is perfect in every way possible!

Finally, we were able to dust off the video monitor, flip the switch and see her....right where she needs to be! I couldn’t resist, I just had to throw in a Gary Allan reference. So many feelings of our trip to Guatemala washed over me, but this time, with much more intensity.

On our very first night in Guatemala, I thought we were going to be up all night with her. I had fallen asleep and awoke in the morning to find her asleep in her crib. I had the very same feeling about this particular night. I once again woke up in the morning, flipped the monitor on and there she was, peacefully laying there.

She sometimes has a hard time keeping her first feed of the day down. I (ever so carefully and slowly) administered this feed. Just as quickly as I finished the thought, “That seemed to go well,” I was covered in projectile vomit. I have never experienced this in my entire life. Funny thing is Dave and I had just recently watched “I Love You, Man” and there is a similar scene in this movie. We had rewound it a few times and laughed our asses off. As I sat there covered in Nutren Junior, I couldn’t help but think, when you are the target of such an act, it’s just not that funny :o)

Other than that, the day went off without a hitch. She was so good and I loved having her close to me at all times. I loved being the one~ feeding her, bathing her, giving medications, changing her, putting cute bows in her newly grown hair, walking her all over the house, playing music for her, even cleaning up her puke, just plain taking care of her!

We have continued with her therapy sessions. If you look at the pictures of Dave, Kama and her lying on the floor, this is the fashion in which we conduct them, surrounded in love! It is obvious that she feels it.

Aviana has done so amazing with these sessions thus far. I have already seen improvements in such a short period of time. We have also already taken her to run errands, including Costco. I searched high and low for Maria, (Aviana’s favorite “snapple” lady), but she was nowhere to be found. I’m sure I will find a reason to go back within a few days...that’s what I do!!

This transition has been by far the best yet. She of course has her moments, but they are much more few and far between than I could ever have imagined. Honestly though, that is Aviana! She's easy like Sunday morning. Some things haven't changed. I can only guess what she remembers and doesn’t, but there are certain deep down traits that always have a way of permeating through to let us know...she is there!! We love her so very much and could not be any more proud of her and all she has accomplished.

This is such an exciting new chapter of our lives. While the old me creeps in and wants to read the very last page....the new me wants so very much to just kick back, relax and enjoy every single page along the way.

 Thank you all for your well wishes and for always cheering us on along the way. We love you!

 

21 comments:

  1. As busy as you are, I want to thank you for the updates as well as the pictures. Such a joy that Aviana is finally home. Just don't forget to take some time out for yourself.

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  2. Oh how wonderful to see her home! She looks so comfortable and secure...I know you guys must be overjoyed..Thank you so much for the updates. We know you will have less time to update as you will be a busy bee with your little boo home, but we so appreciate the pictures and update. We are always thinking about your family! hugs!!!

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  3. We are so happy for you guys and esppecially for Aviana. She is just beautiful. Yes you two are very blessed but so is she. Thank you for all the blogs and pictures, and we hope she continues to get better each day.

    Becci & Angela

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  4. We are so very thrilled for all of you. I am so thankful you take the time to let us know what is happening since I stalk your blog every day. Thanking God your little angel is home with you.
    Continued prayers. V's Grama

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  5. I am so happy Avi is doing well , she looks so good! I can only imagine the joy you have in finally having her home!!!!!! Continued prayers!

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  6. That was an amazing post! One more thing...not only do I feel like I've known you forever, and can't wait to meet that little angel. BUT...we have the same dog...literally. That same yellow lab is in my house, watching over my babies!!

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  7. Welcome Home Aviana!!! She looks so comfortable and where she is suppossed to be. Thank you for posting for us all to see for ourselves. You guys are in our hearts and although we have never met, we feel connected to you, we are the same age and both of our daughters were both born in Guatemala and are the same age. When you have time, please keep us posted. Good luck and love to you in her continued recovery. I love the bow!

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  8. She looks beautiful. Love the pictures with the dog.He seems like he is always by her side. She looks so comfortable to be at home. Thanks for keeping us posted. I can only imagine how busy you are. Mindy

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  9. I am so happy that Aviana is home!! I am continuing the prayers for her and you!!

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  10. I am so glad she is home! I am praying for a quick and amazing recovery! She is young...she's a fighter....and now that she is surrounded by everything and everyone she loves...that just might be the best medicine for her!!!

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  11. So happy for you all. My computer had crashed and just found your blog again today and was so excited to see the Aviana is now home. she surely is a little miracle, God is good.

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  12. God is so good. Glad Aviana is home! Enjoy every minute of being her Mama, inlcuding the projectile vomit!

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  13. Sooo happy that your daughter is once again home with you!!!!!

    Praying that her amazing healing continues!

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  14. I love the pictures of Kama with Aviana. I think that dog really missed her. I'm glad she is home and things are going pretty well for you.

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  15. I am so glad to hear she is home and things are going well. Thanks for the update. Seeing this beautiful girl at home makes my day! It also makes me hug my kids tighter. Continued prayers that improvements are made. I love the pictures of the dog with her. Precious!

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  16. Wow! This is so wonderful. I am so happy to know she is home with you. We all have so much faith that she will get better and better. She looks happy and comfortable. I can't say it enough I am soooo happy for all of you!!

    Love
    Debby

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  17. I can only imagine how refreshing it is to her to be home; it is interesting to wonder what she knows, but it seems the body and the mind remembers? I am sure all of your love, constancy and support is incredibly healing for her. I look forward to reading how each page reads in this new chapter, this new journey.

    hugs, prayers and support, jana

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  18. Can't tell you enough just how wonderful it was to hear you are all home. There's nothing that heals quicker than bein at home. Blessings to Avianna and you and your family.
    Hugs, Rhonda

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  19. Your baby girl is home, just where she should be.. The love and joy are felt though your posting. Your family weighs on my heart, I have prayed and hoped for you all you.
    Aviana is a beacon of light in so many households. What a special little girl!
    -Liz Golla

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  20. I have never posted before but have followed your story. I am so happy for you that Aviana is home!
    My brother was in a serious car accident and suffered severe brain trauma and we were told he would never even recover from his coma. My mom worked so hard with him, and he finally came home after almost 2 years in the hospital. Coming home seemed to make all the difference. Once he was home, he just flourished and made huge advances! I pray the same happens for Avi!

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  21. Hip Hip Hooray! That's all I can muster through my joyful tears. I can only imagine how wonderfully comforting it must feel to Aviana to be back home and for you to have her there! May God continue to bless all three of you. I know he will.

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