{45 Hours and Counting}

In order for Finn to come home from the NICU, he has to breathe on his own (without the help of oxygen) for 48-72 hours.  He is going on 45 hours!  He is doing his car seat challenge later today which is also a requirement to come home.  What's the carseat challenge?  The carseat challenge:  He has to sit in his carseat for 2 hours oxygen free without any problems. 

If his oxygen level drops any time during the 48-72 hours or during the carseat challenge, and after every attempt of getting him to go back up on his own; if his oxygen level doesn't go up, then he has to start the the time (breathing for 48-72 hours) all over again from zero hours.

He is close!  If all continues to go well, he should be home by tomorrow evening at 7 or maybe earlier in the day.  Yay!

{The ma's & pa's come for a visit}

When Pat heard that Finn was born she said, "Come on Artell, you're driving me to Utah."  Although he had several obligations, Artell did drive Pat down, dropped her off, spent a few hours visiting with us at the hospital, and hit the road early the next morning to return to Rexburg to fulfill his obligations.  Now there's a man who loves his wife, family, and the open road.

Kurt and I were especially grateful that his dad made the trek.  Their presence was much needed during those few short hours after Finn was born. 

Pat has been here for nine days now.  She has made it her duty to do as much cleaning, cooking, and kid wrangling as possible.  I have to admit I do feel a little guilty, but I am taking advantage of it while I can. 

She's so brave- she made cupcakes and let the kids frost and decorate them.

Three days after Finn was born, my parents, who are on their mission, found someone to take their shift for them.  They then made the 6 hour drive from Wyoming to spend 37 hours with us and to meet Finn, then drove 6 hours back to return to their shift a day later. 

We are so grateful to our parents for seeing the need that we had and being here to support us.  Sometimes you just need your Mom and Dad to make everything seem/feel better.