Homecoming

Like I said, I stayed in the Hospital Resort for as long as I could.
The evening of my last day, J came to pick us up.  We finally filled out the name on the birth certificate, put Her in Her photo-op coming-home outfit (actually a doll dress), and buckled Her into the car seat.
It's a crazy thing taking a little person out for their first breath of fresh air.  The first rays of sun on Her skin, the first whispers of breeze in Her ears.  The first smell of parking garage in Her tiny nose.  Welcome to the world, Little Miss.

Just Before Checking Out

Taking a newborn on Her first car trip is scary. "Don't go too fast! Don't turn too fast! Her little head is flopping around! Watch out for that truck! Is it too cold in here?  The news is too violent for her! Change the station!" 
Engulfed in this gigantic car seat, She seems so tiny and so very fragile.  The big world is so dangerous, all these DC drivers are so inconsiderate.  Don't they know there's a new baby in this car?!  They should all be more careful!
But with J The King of Good Driving at helm, we did make it safely home. When we rounded the curve to our street, all the neighborhood kids were gathered in a bunch on the corner.  The were tracing shapes in the mud and picking at their zippers, as if they'd been there a long time.  I started to wonder what they were up to, when they spotted our car.  They'd been waiting for us. They all got up, jumping and waving and cheering.  A welcoming committee! 
Welcome to the neighborhood, Little Miss.  We've been expecting you.
They swarmed the car like little paparazzi, everyone trying to get the first look at the new baby.  We answered some of the zillion questions flying at us from all sides - Is it still a girl? What's her name is it my name? Why is she sleeping? Why are her eyebrows so tiny? Can she crawl yet?- and made our way through the crowd to our front door, decked in pink by my mom and Little One.
Little One came running, giddy, "baby sister baby sis-" and suddenly stopped, overwhelmed by the crowd.  She was the next victim of the well-wishers.  The swallowed Her up, passed Her around, hugging and asking Her about Her baby sister.
Finally we sent them off with promises to meet on the playground soon, and the pet-paparazzi came in for their turn.  After the dogs had sniffed Her and the Nana had hugged Her, Little One held Her and made sure all Her parts were still present.  Eyes, ears, toes, check.  She showed Her some of the good toys, She grabbed Her microphone and gave Her a song and dance.  

Welcome to your home, Little Miss.  You are very popular here.
When the excitement died down a little, we all cozied up on the couch and just hung out.  Together.  Labor, delivery, hospital, homecoming.  What a rush, like reeling a bit too fast around the curve of a highway on-ramp.
But then, there we were.  A brand new road opened up before us, stretching out as far as we can see.  Who knows what we'll find along the way?  But it's wonderful to be all together, going the same way.  A new adventure.
I basked in the newness, the sweetness of it.  I took some pictures of my children, looking all angelic.  I got some butterflies in my stomach over the "ren" at the end of "children".  I got all warm and fuzzy about it, and about being Home, with a capital H.  And then I went downstairs and, with the hospital bracelet still on my wrist, scrubbed dog poo off the basement tile. 
Welcome home, C.  Two kids. Two dogs.  Three baskets for laundry.  One big Life Highway, no speed limit.  And here we go.