Update for Wednesday, April 27

HOMECOMING QUEEN ANNOUNCED! After 72 days in the hospital, we're proud to tell you that Miss Katherine Grace McDermott has finally come home! As we last mentioned, we expected her to be discharged sometime yesterday or today, but mid-afternoon on Monday we got an unexpected phone call: "come get Katie, she's ready to go home!" We were a little bit surprised, but we raced off to the hospital, and after a 30-minute discharge summary and some bittersweet goodbyes to the friends we've made, we were on our way home. Here's a photo of Katie waving goodbye to her friends at Swedish Hospital from her car bed.



It's been 48 hours now at home, and so far we're all doing very well. Katie had her first visit with her new pediatrician who reported that she gained 3 ounces during the first 24-hours after leaving the hospital. This puts her weight at 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Since she's been home, she's maintained the same schedule that she had while at the hospital - after a 3-hour nap, Miss Katie wakes up and talks a little bit, then when she starts to talk a little louder, we give her a clean diaper and some food. She's not the most vigerous eater, but she gets it done in her own time.

We're still getting used to the idea of being parents. Even though she's almost 3 months old, finally having her home is a change that we're adjusting to. The long hours commuting back and forth to Seattle are much better spent now cuddling and getting to know our baby girl. Luna and Mocha, our dogs, are at ease with the new addition to our family. Both dogs seem very careful around the baby, and they both know her smell already from the clothes that we brought home from the hospital. They aren't startled by her sounds, rather, they actually seem a bit curious if not even a little bored with it already. Katie, surprisingly isn't at all bothered by them sniffing her, and even when they bark, she doesn't seem to notice.

We're going to sign off now, and get back to bonding with our baby. We'd like to send out a special note of gratitude to all of our friends and family, words are not enough to say how much your kindness and prayers have meant to us during these past months. It's been amazing to have so many people in our lives truly care about and support us. Thank you - our hearts truly overflow.

As we go, here is a special photo of Katherine and her favorite nurse, Jay, who loved and cared for Katie when we could not be there. He is a friend to all of us now.