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Welcome home, Kailyn

It is expected in Austria that mother and baby stay in the hospital for 4-5 days before going home...definitely different from the 1 night/24 hour turnaround and checkout when Justin was born.

Today was our 4th day of Kaitlyn's life and we were able to return to our apartment after a 3 night, 4 day stay in the hospital. After the first night, when Rebecca got zero sleep due to her roommate's baby, we decided that a private room was necessary for her sanity...the second and third nights were much better in the sleep dept and I was able to stay with Rebecca and Kailyn. Justin stayed at the Klein's house on Thur night and then after school on Fri went home with the Schra family.

Our experience with the hospital in Klosterneuburg was amazing...the midwives, nurses, and doctors were very attentive without being overbearing. Kailyn was only out of our presence once (while Rebecca was seeing the doctor for a checkup and I was getting Kailyn's Austrian birth certificate). The lunches were delicious, we had a shelf full of diapers and onesies, and there was a "cafe" buffet that we could visit throughout the day. Truly a wonderful experience. Staying the 4 days was actually quite relaxing in a way. 

Below are some pics from our last couple of days in the hospital and our trip home!


taking a nap
happy to be in her bassinet
Just around the corner from the hospital...really good pizza place on the right and delicious ice cream at the top of the lane...one day we'll come back here so Kailyn, Justin and Rebecca can also enjoy it!

first bath!

Getting ready to go home.
so pretty in her outfit 
Our chauffeur for the ride back to the apartment (thank you Jeffrey!) 
Big brother Justin in the back with his friend Willem
first car ride!
on the doorstep of our apartment building
Our friends the Gardners decorated our door...thanks guys!
ready to go in!
safely tucked in her own bed...
Kailyn is loving her big brother, that's for sure!

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