August 5th Update
In support of
Mercedes, Manny, and River
View Support Registry
Mercedes, Manny, and River
Typing with tears in my eyes and a smile across my face—River. is. home!
We didn't expect this until tomorrow. But River, ever the overachiever, decided showing off her "hearty eater" status—the one that, for better or worse, runs in the family—was the move.
After two failed inductions, one unplanned C-section, HIE, three days of cooling, a day of warming, a nail-biting wait for an MRI, the glorious news of a normal MRI, and finally, feeding like a champ, River's discharge was approved. Bags were packed. And tonight, officially: Mercedes, Manny, and River are safely home, just over two weeks after this all began on July 20th.
A few fun firsts for the new parents: River didn't know what to make of her car seat at first and had some objections, which, fair—California traffic is its own demented delight. But just before they left the hotel for home, River latched for the first time completely on her own, no help at all, after about three days of needing some assistance.
When Mercedes told our mom, she replied, "She's just a procrastinator like her grandmother. And she just took her time like Matthew latching on." Some family history for you. Apparently, we do things on our own schedule around here, and always have—much to our father's dismay.
Before I wrap this up, I want to give a huge shout-out to the woman in the photo: Wendy, River's NICU nurse. I was there that first night in the NICU, uncertain about what was to come, and talking with Wendy made me feel like everything was going to be okay. She answered every question I had without ever making me feel like I was asking too many. I knew right then River was in good hands. And—wouldn't you know it?!—she's wearing butterfly clips in her hair, which reminds me, as I'm sure it reminds you, of the greatest album ever made: Mariah Carey's Butterfly. Truly couldn't ask for a better omen.
Wendy came up to check on River both yesterday and today, and asked the charge nurse to bring Mercedes, Manny, and River in so she could say a proper goodbye before they left the hospital. Now that's what I call continuity of care! Thank you, Wendy, for watching over River as if she were your own.
This may be the last update for a while—not because the story's over, it's just beginning!—but because hopefully what's ahead is nothing more than the regular chaos and joy of a newborn at home. Fewer "this-just-in-from-the-hospital" updates, more "Mercedes'-boobs-are-out-again" updates.
To every single one of you who supported, shared, checked in, and rooted for River and our family... Thank you doesn't feel like enough, but it's what I've got, and I mean it.
Welcome home, River!
"A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence."
—Jim Watkins
We didn't expect this until tomorrow. But River, ever the overachiever, decided showing off her "hearty eater" status—the one that, for better or worse, runs in the family—was the move.
After two failed inductions, one unplanned C-section, HIE, three days of cooling, a day of warming, a nail-biting wait for an MRI, the glorious news of a normal MRI, and finally, feeding like a champ, River's discharge was approved. Bags were packed. And tonight, officially: Mercedes, Manny, and River are safely home, just over two weeks after this all began on July 20th.
A few fun firsts for the new parents: River didn't know what to make of her car seat at first and had some objections, which, fair—California traffic is its own demented delight. But just before they left the hotel for home, River latched for the first time completely on her own, no help at all, after about three days of needing some assistance.
When Mercedes told our mom, she replied, "She's just a procrastinator like her grandmother. And she just took her time like Matthew latching on." Some family history for you. Apparently, we do things on our own schedule around here, and always have—much to our father's dismay.
Before I wrap this up, I want to give a huge shout-out to the woman in the photo: Wendy, River's NICU nurse. I was there that first night in the NICU, uncertain about what was to come, and talking with Wendy made me feel like everything was going to be okay. She answered every question I had without ever making me feel like I was asking too many. I knew right then River was in good hands. And—wouldn't you know it?!—she's wearing butterfly clips in her hair, which reminds me, as I'm sure it reminds you, of the greatest album ever made: Mariah Carey's Butterfly. Truly couldn't ask for a better omen.
Wendy came up to check on River both yesterday and today, and asked the charge nurse to bring Mercedes, Manny, and River in so she could say a proper goodbye before they left the hospital. Now that's what I call continuity of care! Thank you, Wendy, for watching over River as if she were your own.
This may be the last update for a while—not because the story's over, it's just beginning!—but because hopefully what's ahead is nothing more than the regular chaos and joy of a newborn at home. Fewer "this-just-in-from-the-hospital" updates, more "Mercedes'-boobs-are-out-again" updates.
To every single one of you who supported, shared, checked in, and rooted for River and our family... Thank you doesn't feel like enough, but it's what I've got, and I mean it.
Welcome home, River!
"A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence."
—Jim Watkins
Comments
Michellemsteward 10 days ago
Deborah 10 days ago