On the 2nd Day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Two portable oxygen tanks for our Par Rich in a pear tree!



That's right! We had 2 tanks delivered to us in the NICU and the instruction on how to use them today...why, you might ask? Because we're going home tomorrow!!!

We are ready. We feel very confident about taking Par home and caring for him on oxygen. We already have doctor appointments in Birmingham set up for Friday and we are planning to return to see Dr. Kays in 6 to 8 weeks (per his request). We praise God for such a quick journey--we know it is only through Him that we are leaving tomorrow with our precious baby--glory to God for our miracle!






Today was pretty exciting considering this big news. We think Par knows something is up... Dr. Kays came by to see Par--he said he was doing great and agreed that it is time for us to hit the road. He said Par would stay on oxygen definitely until our next visit--and 6-8 weeks should give Par plenty of time to gain strength and the ability to breath without help. We can't thank Dr. Kays enough for all he has done for us.



Our nurse had Par do a "carseat study" today--that involves Par sitting in his carseat for an hour while still hooked up to see if his numbers stay up--he passed! Obviously that would have posed quite a problem if he hadn't passed!







We had a celebration/farewell dinner with Josh and Tina tonight. This was planned previous to us knowing we'd be leaving--but the timing is perfect--they have been such wonderful friends on this journey here in Gainesville and we look forward to seeing them when we return in 6-8 weeks.

We asked the nurses to be a little more lenient with Par and Ella tonight--considering they won't see each other for a while--I know Par has been reprimanded many times this week for crawling over to Ella's side of the NICU(gasp!)--but I think it is only fair to let them have fun on Par's last night.



We don't know exactly when we are headed out of Gainesville--but we will definitely let you know when we have arrived home to Birmingham, Alabama!

Please continue to pray for Par's friends and specifically for there progress and God's perfect timing. We thank you for your unbelievable support to us during this incredible journey. Your thoughts, prayers, notes, emails, phone calls, etc. have meant so much to us--you've been a huge source of our strength.

As I finish this--I realize this is my last blog update from here in Gainesville--it feels like yesterday that I just arrived here--ironically I have the same feelings about leaving as I did about arriving--this is definitely bitter-sweet. As much as I hate to admit it--Gainesville has become our home and there are comforts to it at this point (uh--Shands Hospital and Dr. Kays to name a few)--so Birmingham will be another adjustment for us--but I'm sure it won't be too difficult.

Goodnight...

Love,
Your Homeward Bound Family--Liz, Rusty & Par (and Tiffany)