Conor Comes Home...

Day 20:

Well, I can't believe it but they actually let us out of the hospital, Son. No ID scan, no IQ test; I just walked out the front door with you. Amazing, right?

Actually, it's not so amazing... Not at all in fact. Sadly anyone can have a baby, though assuredly not everybody should. Never the less, you're leaving the Virginia Hospital Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit triumphant. And your adoring public will miss you so... Yes Conor, you have some real fans in the NICU. And as your Mom and me were leaving the ward we were surrounded by the entire on-duty staff; all the NICU nurses and Terry the Nurse Practitioner... It was a tearful moment, Son. Everyone in the NICU who worked with you loved you. They were enamored with you, awed by you, impressed with you, and so hopeful for you. They all noted your meteoric rise to strength... How quickly you knocked down the challenges in front of you and how young you are to be leaving the hospital. Not a lot of "35 weekers" see their way home, but you're not a lot of 35 weekers, are you? No, you're not. You're my Son. Conor the Lion Heart. Conor An Chroí Lion.

There's no exaggeration in this, Conor. The people of Virginia Hospital Center's NICU lined up to bid you a fond farewell and to hug Mommy and me as we made our way toward the doors... They asked that we please bring you back through to say hello and to keep them abridged as to your progress. They urged us to call with absolutely any question and at any time. They genuinely loved you, Conor, and they made your Mom and me feel so very good about being your parents. We're already blessed and quite confident about what it'll take to be good parents to you, but validation through your peers, who three short weeks ago were all perfect strangers, is somewhat comforting. Because though we are confident, we journey forward with you into the great unknown, and every little bit of support helps.

Driving down the road with you was a surreal feeling, Son. The base of your car seat is borderline cutting into the leather on the rear bench seat of my Tahoe SUV... Like any good parent I wanted to be sure to offer you the best, safest means of transportation available. The mighty Tahoe rolled confidently down I-66 West on the 15 minute journey home. Like a trusted steed, of her 120,000 miles only one other time has she carried cargo so valuable... A giant, black tank of a truck... never have been so pleased to be driving such a behemoth. And of course, she didn't disappoint...

Upon arriving home, you finally got to meet your dogs, Bruiser and Mickie, who were all to happy to welcome in their new Master. Conor An Chroí Lion. Conor, the Lover of Hounds. In fact. since you've come through the door Mickie's not been more than 6 feet away from you. Her ever watchful eye following your every move. I suspect you and she are going to be great, great friends, Conor. Bruiser too, but Mickie will be yours for the taking.

All in all, your arrival home was better than advertised. Shortly after your arrival we watched our first football game together; a dream I've had since seeing you for the first time. The South Carolina Gamecocks vs. the Nebraska Corn Huskers- the victory going to the Gamecocks. Let's just call it the Cherry on Top...

Welcome home, Son. I love you.
-Dad