As we enter 2026, we are filled with gratitude and hope for our sweet girl, Iris Hope. It has been a journey of growth, perseverance, and love. Iris continues to make incredible progress, and as she reaches new milestones, we are reminded of her strength and resilience. At just a few months old, she has already cut two teeth on the bottom and may be working on one or two more on the top. Her little discovery of her thumb has brought so much joy, as she expertly sucks on it and amusingly can’t decide which thumb tastes better. It’s the little moments like these that remind us of how far she’s come.
While we celebrate her growth, we also face the difficult but necessary decision of taking the next step in Iris’ journey. After much thought and careful consideration, we have decided that Iris will be discharged to The Children’s Home this week for a period of one to two weeks. Although it’s a decision that comes with mixed emotions, we believe it is the best choice to ensure Iris’ safe transition to home life in the coming weeks.
The Children’s Home is a wonderful step-down facility that will provide us with specialized training in caring for Iris. The team at the facility is dedicated to supporting families like ours, and they will help us gain the knowledge and skills we need to take Iris home safely. Additionally, the time spent at the facility will allow us to work with the home health nursing agencies to onboard more nurses, ensuring we have the necessary support at home for Iris’ care. This extra time will also give us the opportunity to adjust and ensure Iris gets the 24/7 care she needs when she returns home.
Making this decision was not easy for us. We have waited so long to bring Iris home, and the anticipation has been building every day. We’ve dreamed of the moment we would have her with us, surrounded by the love of her family. It’s been especially hard for our older kids, who have been waiting just as eagerly to have their baby sister home. However, after much deliberation, we believe this step will be best for Iris’ long-term safety and health, ensuring that when she finally comes home, it will be with the best possible care and stability.
The road to bringing Iris home has been a long one, filled with challenges, but also filled with countless moments of joy and love. We’ve learned so much about resilience and patience throughout this journey. Watching Iris grow, even in the face of adversity, has been a powerful reminder of how strong she is, and how incredibly fortunate we are to be her family. As we prepare for this next step, we are doing so with the belief that Iris will continue to thrive and flourish in the environment we’ve worked so hard to create for her.
We ask for your continued prayers as we navigate this next chapter. We are still waiting for more nurses to join our team, so your prayers for additional support and for Iris’ continued growth and stability would mean the world to us. We know that patience will be key as we wait for these crucial pieces to fall into place, and we ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers for strength and endurance.
Though it’s incredibly hard to temporarily leave Iris in the care of the facility, we know it’s the right decision. This time will allow us to fully prepare for her safe return home. Iris is more than ready for the comfort of her home and family, and we can’t wait for the day when she is finally with us. She is so strong and has already overcome so much. We are beyond proud of her.
Thank you to everyone who has been following Iris’ journey and supporting our family. The outpouring of love, prayers, and encouragement we’ve received has meant so much. Your support has been a constant source of strength for us, and we continue to rely on it as we move forward.
As Iris’ journey continues, we hold on to hope, love, and faith. We know that there will still be challenges ahead, but we face them with the strength of our family and community behind us. Iris’ future is bright, and we are excited for all the moments we have yet to experience with her.
Please continue to keep Iris in your thoughts and prayers, as she embarks on the next phase of her recovery. Thank you for being a part of her journey.
🙏💕
