Leaving the Hospital

Here are a bunch of pictures that chronicle our getting ready to leave the hospital for home, sweet home!

These are Jessica's "I Love Mommy" socks that I bought way back on Oct. 13th (the day after I found out what we were having...) It was soooo nice to be able to finally put those on her!

I'm so excited to be getting her ready to come home!

She's so long! Actually, most of that is just the super huge sleeper outfit I bought at the same time as her socks...I had to be the one to buy the first outfit for her after we knew what we were having! Weird, but I felt very strongly about buying that first outfit...

Raise your hands if you think I'm cute!

Jer loves the beenies for little babies...

again, bought on Oct. 13th...

Jer was really excited to put this on her. 

They are both so cute!

She wasn't exactly thrilled with the hat choice

Although this is her same face when she stretches her lil' body out...

I just love my little girl!

Even though it's kind of blurry, can you guess how she feels about her car seat?

*Whew!* Now, she's settled...

Pretty much the cutest baby ever!

We can't believe that she is finally coming home with us!

We are SO excited!

Our Grandma Jennessee (Jer's grandma on his mother's side) made these beautiful receiving blankets for Jessica and gave them to us for Christmas. We were so happy to have them to take her home in! Jessica really does love those blankets.  

Grandma Heath (a.k.a. Grandma Skinny & Beautiful, a.k.a. Grandma S&B) and Aunt Tammy (a.k.a. Aunt Tam-Tam!)

Can you see the oxygen tank on Jer's back? He is "unplugging" Jessica from the wall where the hospital's oxygen supply comes from so that he can hook her up to the portable oxygen tank for the ride home...so grateful for technology that helps our baby get well. Again, we are truly blessed!

All of the nurses were so absolutely wonderful. It is a true saying that nurses can make or break your hospital experience. They absolutely made ours! Beate (pronounced Ba-ought-ah) is on front adjusting Jessica's blanket and Tenille (like the music group Captain and Tenille) were two of our favorites. They really made the stay much better. All the nurses were fantastic. When they had days off they always called in to check on Jessica. It was pretty awesome. She is definitely loved.

Did I need the wheelchair? Nope. Did I want the wheelchair? Of course! It's for the picture! Duh! :) The caption for my facial expression would either be, "Aaaaggghhh! Can I really do this?!?" or "YEA! It's for real! You're finally coming home!!!!" You pick which one.

This is the hospital version of a lobby...Jer had to carry the portable tank and monitor. I'm not sure which one of us is being strapped to the other one...Actually, now that I look at this picture, it's pretty symbolic of the role that parents have in the family. The Proclamation of the Family says, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." This picture completely represents that statement. Very cool.

Taking Jessica "into the world" for the first time!

Getting her to the car...

Jer putting her in the car for the first time...

Yahoo! We're finally ready to go!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

We have been so completely blessed throughout this entire experience of pregnancy and giving birth. Regardless of the details, actually it has been IN the details that, the Lord has been with us. It has been an amazing experience. The best part? The experience isn't over. We get the opportunity to continue on.