Show and tell

The hospital's rule on NICU visitors has been a mixed blessing. From when Patrick was first born until about two weeks ago, only Andy and I were allowed in the NICU. It was hard to not be able to share Patrick with our families right away. The grandparents had to initially meet Patrick through the photos and videos that we posted on the blog. The upside to this strict visitation is that it gave Andy and I plenty of time to spend with Patrick without worrying about entertaining anyone else or switching people in and out of the NICU (only a parent + one visitor are allowed in at a time). It also allowed for privacy on those days where the visits were tough and ended with me walking out of the NICU in tears.

I was so excited to call my parents to let them know that they were allowed to visit Patrick and was crushed to hear that Mom, Dad, and Kim all couldn't rush down to Fairfax right away because of a few colds.

Finally, this Saturday Mom and Dad shocked us by arriving at the hospital *on time* at 8AM. Mom went in with me first, while Dad waited anxiously outside with Andy. I bundled Patrick in a blanket and took him out of his crib, and as I held him up Mom held open the blinds so that Dad could see in, too.

It's one of those moments I'll always remember - proudly showing off my tiny Patrick to his grandparents who waited so long to meet him.


Some post-breakfast relaxing and burping with Grammy.


Laughing at Grandad's funny stories.