[To You II-④] On the day you were discharged, you were wrapped in just a single blanket
Hello.
Now that you are three years old, I am writing this while
remembering the time you were born.
Last time, I wrote about your weight and mine, so ↓
Today, I am leaving a letter for your future self about your "first step day" when you were discharged from the hospital.
Discharge Day
That day, you were still light in weight and your voice was faint, but you were firmly existing in this world.
Memories of that discharge day for you and me.
Looking back, it was a day that makes me laugh, makes me want to cry a little, and ultimately makes me laugh again.
Baby clothes for discharge? We didn't have the luxury for that (laughs).
I often hear people say, "Dress them in cute clothes for discharge," but
in our case, we hadn't even prepared discharge clothes!
All I had prepared was an undershirt and a single blanket.
A portable baby carrier basket?
Of course, I didn't have one!
You were softly wrapped in that blanket,
and held right in your mother's arms,
as we headed to my parents' house to recover.
The day of your discharge, when we couldn't see anyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back then, we were in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic,
and hospital visits were restricted to "one person per day for one hour."
That's why your dad was only able to come to the hospital once while you were admitted.
And of course, he couldn't be there for your discharge either.
Grandma was the one who came to pick us up
Instead of Dad, it was Grandma who came to pick us up.
Back then, she hadn't been diagnosed with dementia yet,
so she was still driving and came all the way to the hospital to get us.
The look on Grandma's face when she held you for the first time,
I still can't forget how gentle and happy she looked.
At home, your big sister was waiting for you
And when we got back to the house—
your aunt, your "big sister," was standing by at full power!
Since Mom couldn't move due to threatened premature labor,
your big sister did almost everything to get things ready for you.
The world's happiest laundry, done by your big sister's hands
・Underwear
・Gauze
・Swaddle
・Baby wipes and hand/mouth wipes
・Diapers
・Baby bottles & sterilization set
・Newborn bedding, mattress, and so on...
Your big sister chose everything while asking Mom, "Which one is best?"
There were so many options, and even just for a baby bottle,
・Capacity
・Nipple shape
・Differences between manufacturers
We agonized over this and that before choosing.
Preparing newborn underwear is said to be the "world's happiest laundry."
Although Mom couldn't do that "happy laundry" herself,
I watched right beside your big sister as she hung it all up with all her might.
"We were looking forward to your arrival with all our hearts."
And then, the incident happened while I was in the restroom
The memorable day of your discharge, when Mom and you finally returned to our parents' home.
The house was wrapped in a soft, warm atmosphere,
And the moment Mom said, "Okay, things have settled down a bit..." and went to the bathroom!
You threw up right away, didn't you? (lol)
Your big sister was surprised by her first experience with a baby spitting up.
We were in a panic, rushing to wipe it up!
Mom came flying out of the bathroom in a hurry, that's for sure. Yes.
You were, in any case, being given a huge welcome.
It was such a chaotic first day home from the hospital, but,
There is just one thing I really want to say.
You were really, truly welcomed by everyone..
Dad, Grandma, and your big sister, too.
And of course, Mom as well.
Since you arrived,
I felt like the atmosphere in our home became soft and gentle.
Don't forget,
when you've grown up,
and there are days when you feel anxious about yourself,
or feel a little lonely—
please remember this letter.
You were the most warmly welcomed baby in the whole world!
Next Episode Preview
Next up is a real-life account of the struggle of parenting right after discharge!
✔Won't sleep
✔Spits up
✔Won't drink
✔Crying (Mom too)
It's that "newborn common struggle hell" edition (lol)
#MemoriesOfDischargeDay #LifeWithANewborn
#ASDparenting #DevelopmentalTraits #GivingBirthDuringThePandemic
#Around40MomLife #ThreatenedPrematureLabor #ThanksBigSister
#CommonBabyThings #3YearOldParenting #ParentingBlog
#ToMyFutureSon #LetterToMyChild #HeartwarmingParenting
#LetterFromMom
Conclusion
That one and only day of your discharge.
I was so anxious, but happy, and still a little scared.
But because you were there,
Mom was able to find all of it precious.
I'll write more soon.