Ok, so it’s taken me a while to write this post. I’ve started and stopped so many times. But I wanted to be sure to really convey everything that’s taken place since bringing Carrington home.

There have been so many emotions and feelings of “what are we doing” as Leonard and I have been navigating this parenting thing.

There are so many cliches and quotes out there related to parenthood. “Team no sleep”,”There’s no manual to parenthood” “You’ll just know what to do”, “Mother’s instinct” and so many more! I have to say we have felt them all and are continuing to experience those and a lot more.

Bringing Carrington home has really been a highlight in the midst of such a challenging time. These last few months of our lives have been turned upside down and inside out. Pregnancy and parenting already comes with a new set of challenges and the need to figure out something new and rather foreign. So adding the challenges of having a premature baby to this equation causes an additional layer to be added to what can be labeled as tough.

Since being home Leonard and I are continuing to learn to adjust. We have been married for 6 years and together for over 10. So I think it’s safe to say we are realizing,Carrington runs the show! We have learned how to sleep when she’s sleeping and be proactive in other areas to make sure we are still good. We have to get creative for having us time and checking in to make sure we are communicating our needs to one another. First came marriage then a baby. So that has to still be a priority for us. And yes, it’s hard. But we are committed.

For the most part Carrington is a relatively easy baby. But then again she’s the only baby we’ve had so we really don’t have any other comparisons. She loves to be held and has begun to show more social ques such as smiling and cooing. We are working on increasing tummy time and pulling up to help strengthen her neck muscles.

When she was discharged she was sent home on oxygen machine and an apnea monitor. So for the past month life has been spent in our master bedroom. Her oxygen machine is large and loud. So with her being hooked up 24/7 there’s no room to move around the house freely. Every night she’s hooked to her apnea monitor to make sure she’s not having and apnea moments while sleeping.

She’s done really well with both and has continued to grow stronger and healthier in both areas.

I’ve been so overcome with seeing how much Carrington has grown and also knowing that she’s a miracle baby. Without our faith in Jesus we would not have the strength to make it through each day. I owe every thing to him. So despite the late nights and very early mornings, it’s so much fun having her home. I know that Carrington has a great purpose and we are blessed to be her parents. I just want to do the best I can as her mom to continue love her and to help her to grow!

Continue to pray for us as we are navigating life at home. Pray Leonard and I keep the peace. Pray Carrington continues to grow and meet her developmental milestones. She is 5 months old. But adjusted age is 2.5 months. So she isn’t doing what a 5 month old would be doing quite yet. She is still on thickened feeds and has begun to reflux. So pray she grows with her feedings so she will no longer need thickened milk. I’m still pumping and nursing her when I can. So pray as I stay committed to providing her nourishment.

Overall life at home has been fun, hard, sweet, tiring, and a blessing all wrapped into one precious baby girl.