Finally!

So as you all must understand, this last week has been crazy! In fact, I can't believe a week has already passed. Yesterday we celebrated Rylynn's one week birthday with Sprinkles cupcakes and lots of pictures, she has come so far it's unbelievable.
Let me start from the beginning... Last Friday was the greatest day I've ever known albeit quite scary. Rylynn was born at 8:37am weighing in at 7lbs-0oz and measuring 16.3". We have had her measured since then because we did not believe she could be so short and it seems that she has grew 6 cm in two days so we are sure that she just was not measured correctly during all the haste of getting her prepared for the cath lab. My delivery was text book while in the adjoining OR 27 doctors and many more nurses, etc. awaited Rylynn's arrival. They worked quickly and transported her to Children's immediately. Proud papa was able to follow them over to wait for the results of the procedure. The hospital was so nice to let our families wait in the corridors so that they could catch a glimpse of her as she wheeled by on her way to the lab. That meant a lot to me and I'm so glad everyone saw her for a moment.
I do have to back up and say that Gilly was able to stand up in the deivery room and catch a very quick glimpse of her as they pulled her out. He had a smile from ear to ear as he announced that he saw A LOT of hair! And let me tell you, she is her father's daughter through and through! She looks just like him! I was hoping when her adema had gone away that maybe her features would change slightly and I would atleast have some of me in her, but I'm afraid not!! :) She is absolutely beautiful.
Back to delivery day. I was in recovery and in walked Gilly only 45 mins later. My heart sank because I had not expected him back so soon, but I could tell that he had a wonderful expression on his face. He came with the good news that the two little holes of her atrial septum seemed to be providing just the right amount of restriction balanced with the right amount of flow. It was a blessing that saved her life! We were ecstatic!
She was stablized at Children's and getting her steriod that would keep her ductis open until surgery day. I was able to go see her late Friday night for the first time and it was indescribable.
Over the next 48 hours she slowly came out of sedation and was extubated by Sunday. She was prepared for surgery and the Norwood was performed on Tuesday morning. Saying good bye to your four day old baby is heartbreaking, but we knew as she wheeled off to the OR, that she was in great hands. The surgery lasted until about 3:00 with reports coming to Gilly and I every hour. Things went as planned and we were able to get back to see her by 4:30. It was an emotionally draining day, but a beautiful one.
Since Tuesday, Rylynn has been progressing in a steady upward pattern which is perfect. Day by day she has been losing one medicine, one wire, and one tube at a time. Yesterday she was extubated and we were able to hear her cry! She had a wonderful day and now we will try to get her to start taking the bottle. So far she has done well, but will need to meet a particular feeding amount before we can take some of the wires out of her heart. That is the moment that Gilly and I are looking forward to. Once those wires are removed we can hold her! I just can't wait!
Yesterday the nurses surprised us and dressed her while Gilly and I went to breakfast! I couldn't believe how cute she looked!
We still haven't been able to change a diaper and as silly as that sounds, I am looking forward to dirty diapers and late night feedings. I also can't wait to hold her and comfort her when she cries.
It is impossible to describe all the emotions of the last week, but knowing that there are so many great friends and family sending their prayers and well wishes, it has made the tough times easier and the happy times more wonderful. Rylynn has overcome so many things this week, some are to be expected, some can not be explained by the physicians; I know that it has been the power of prayer that has gotten us this far.
I will try to post more frequently now and can't wait to put up some pictures. We look forward to you all meeting Miss Rylynn one day and for now just keep praying.
With love. . .