On the road again...

We are headed home after 2 busy days up at Duke. Yesterday's appointment with GI doctor went well and was very informative. We will see him again in a few weeks.

We went out to eat with Scott,Michelle and Jason last night and had a good time.

Today, was follow-up with the surgeon. He said as long as Riley is doing well, the longer we postpone surgery the better. He said basically, see you in a YEAR!! Riley is doing so well, he prefers NOT to bring him down in a few months, but rather let him grow bigger and more importantly, stronger and then reconnect him. This was very surprising news,and any change in Rileys health could change that plan but it pleased us tremendously. We were not looking forward to another hospitilization so soon. And once again, we got a haunting reminder of just how lucky we are when he said there were several times when he didn't think Riley would make it home, much less be thriving.

After all that, we walked over to the ICN for a visit. We saw our friends,the Myers an found out Carter is going home today!! Another baby we know is also going home today,so it has been a day of joy. It was so nice to see a familiar name on the door of the care-by-parent room for goo reasons. This is where parents stay either to room in with their baby or because they are losing a baby. Our name was on that door nearly 4 months ago because they didn't want us too far away, due to how sick Riley was. So it was a nice full-circle moment for us.
Then, we stepped to the window to let the unit clerk know Riley was there for a visit. When that happens, they announce over the loud speaker that the baby is there for a visit anf the people working who know the baby come out and visit. We've heard them do this many many times since Riley was born, and I often wondered if he'd make it to having his name called out. So when Patrick picked up the phone and I heard all the speakers sound out "Riley Souza is here for a visit", it was a sweet moment. He laughed and coo'd at all who came out. His awesome peimary nurse Brigit,who has been with him from day 1 up at Duke was there and she cried and cried over him. Tears of happiness over how far he's come since that first day.
Once all this was over,we went to the bookstore to get a gift for Travis,and then back to the parking deck to leave and head home. This time,with Riley riding,not in a big blue truck in front of us but snug as a bug in his carseat in our van.