Bittersweet Farewell's

This weekend we had lots of family visitors.  Since Stella was premature she is at risk of catching RSV, a very serious respiratory virus that can be extremely dangerous for children (it is basically the common cold in adults).  While we have to be very cautious with visitors and shouldn't be taking many until the flu season passes, we made an exception for family - which included lots of hand sanitizer!  The Goolden's, Perrin's, Hooley's, and Todd's spent a night in Winooski, just down the hill from Burlington.  We had take-out lunch at the hotel, napped, and then went to Pizza Putt - a fun center for kids.  We were fortunate to get a corner table in a private room of the dining section so Stella was kept away from people while the kids got to enjoy the games.  We were sure to bring our stop sign carseat attachment that says 'Prevent RSV - Please wash your hands before touching mine'  which we have changed to say 'Please don't touch me, I'm premature'.  The doctors say you can take Stella anywhere, but she can't be touched!  Her public appearance will likely be the last one for a long while but the exception was worth it!  Everyone had a nice time and we finished out the evening relaxing at the hotel.  8 am came quickly and we shared heartfelt goodbyes.  Patti, Hank, Haley, and the baby to be will be venturing off to Hawaii for a new life in just a few short days.  We are so excited for them, but sending them off was difficult.  Stella and I had another sendoff when daddy headed home this afternoon to be with his team before the Tuesday playoff game.  We anxiously await his return but are cheering on the panthers from here in the meantime!  After a tremendous week of progress Trey started to slip a little bit this weekend.  We have tired him a great deal from his high-flow trials, and today was the last day of his second steroid treatment.  He is now exclusively back on the highest cpap level recovering from the attempt to move him toward breathing independantly.  Trey will get better but as he's tried to tell us before taking things slow - very slow - works best for him.