I cried.

Not long after I published my post yesterday, I asked if I could speak with the doctor. I knew Dylan had done well during the last 24 hours and I wanted to hear her thoughts.

So she walks in and says, "So Dylan's going home on Wednesday." Like I already knew this. I said "really?" She said "yep!"

And then she left.

And then I just started crying (damn...I'm doing it again).

I didn't think I cried happy tears but it looks like I do.

I just never thought this day would come.

I feel like we can finally start our lives as a family now.

When we're home, no one will be able to tell all of the things we've been through over the past 2 1/2 years. We will look like all the normal people. But we will be different. I'm not sure how that difference plays out in the real world, but it'll be there.

(Dylan just snorted and woke himself up...: ). He's napping on my chest while I blog on my phone.)

I feel myself physically unwinding. I definitely have some symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Seeing the little babies makes me weepy...even though I could handle seeing Dylan without crying. We watched a CPR video today that has actors play out scenarios with real babies. It was almost too painful to watch.

I rarely get sick, but after finals my 1st and 2nd years of college, I got a nasty flu. I can hold it together until the crisis passes and then my body finally deals with all of the stress. I wonder how it will manifest after this?

We are telling all visitors that they have to wait at least a week to come visit. I want to be in a cocoon and just be a family. And take newborn pics! (They're already scheduled for Friday.)

Sharing this experience with all of you and feeling your support and making connections with other preemie parents has really helped me to survive.

Excuse me while I go cry a bit more...