Sorry for our radio silence lately. We have a good reason: we are home and beginning our life together as a family of four!

But, back to where we left off...

Recovery went much as it had been, with every day bringing another small improvement.

One morning I walked through the pediatric cardiology unit, to Cora's corner of the room. Once there, I was surprised to see the curtain drawn. I peeked around the corner and in her dark room was an adult size hospital bed containing a sleeping teenage boy! I took a quick step back and went to the nurses station. I had become so comfortable there that I slipped by them without being noticed! At the station I was told that she had been moved to the regular floor-- another small victory, though we were sad to say goodbye to the unit that had become our home, and the nurses that became our friends.

The only remaining improvements during our last few days were weaning Cora off of oxygen, and getting her to eat more. The progress here felt slow, and I wondered how long this part of our journey would be.

Then, on the morning of Mother's Day, the Nurse Practitioner who works with our surgeon came for her regular check-in and gave us the best news. The oxygen tube had been removed over night, with success. We could go home.


So, on the evening of Mother's Day, we arrived back in Syracuse to celebrate with Linnea and my mother. We couldn't be more happy.

In the (almost) week following, we've been continuing feeding her fortified milk, through a nasogastric tube if she is not able to finish her milk orally, and cleaning the wound from her surgery daily. Beyond those two practices, we are on our way to 'normal' life with a baby! Linnea sweetly pats Cora on the head whenever she walks by. Chris tiredly does the work of a loving father. I am still surprised to find a sleeping baby in my house!

Cora's first checkup with her general pediatrician went well. We'll have regular checkups with the pediatric cardiology group we saw before Cora was born, but don't expect to have any more surgeries at this point.

At the risk of sounding cliche, the medical staff at Crouse Hospital, and Golissano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester are our Heroes. They gave our daughter a chance at life, and we will never forget their kindness and excellent care.

Thanks also to you for your kind words. Its amazing to be home, with the surgery behind us, but our community of friends and family was invaluable to us as we went through this experience.