Happy Homecoming Day, Elzi!

On this day, one year ago, we completed our family by bringing home our first-born, Elzi. When the nurses let us know that Lillian was ready to go home the previous day, we were given the choice of leaving her in the hospital with Elzi, who would likely be ready to go home the following day. We decided that it was probably better to take home one baby at a time to ease into things, even if just for one night. I remember feeling guilty taking away Elzi's bedmate. She had woken up as though she knew what was happening.

Around mid-day on January 22, 2009, a nurse called me and said that Elzi was ready to go home. I told her that we would come get her when Ben got off work. He told me that I could go without him, but I wanted us both to pick her up. Not to mention, we had to take Lillian with us, and I was really not ready to deal with traveling with both by myself yet. Ben ended up getting home really late that night. So late that the nurse called to ask if we were still planning to pick her up that night.

When we got to the hospital our favorite nurse, who was taking care of Elzi earlier that day, was gone. We brought in Lillian in her car seat and began to get Elzi dressed. Another nurse came over and said that siblings who had been released were not allowed to come back and visit. When we explained that we were just there to pick Elzi up, she said if was fine, but Lillian needed to be moved into the hall. We had planned to take pictures of Elzi like we did of Lillian, but since Ben and Lillian were waiting in the hall, I just got Elzi dressed and ready to go, and we left. We took pictures of both of our girls at home.

Again, I put my daughters in the bassinet by our bed while we slept. When I woke up, this is what I saw.

Our whole family was finally together and all was right with the world. Happy Homecoming Day, Elzi! Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can express.