We finally got Aidan home at 6.10pm on Monday 14 July. It was fantastic to be home - we really really really didn't enjoy being in hospital. Now we're together as a family at last.

Click on any image to see a larger version; use your browser's ‘Back’ button to return.

Image 0010-1469 Canon PowerShot S45 1/60 sec., f/2.8 2003:07:14 13:43:34 UTC

Waiting to be allowed home. The paediatrician didn't turn up until 4pm to do his 10am round, so we did a lot of waiting that day. Eventually we managed to escape at 5.20pm Monday.

On the trip home, we stopped off at Waitrose to pick up some good steak, baking potatoes, and spinach for dinner (to boost Carolyn's iron levels). It was Aidan's first trip in his car seat, and Carolyn's first time out of the hospital for nearly a week - it was a bit of an emotional time.

We made it safely home through the Cambridge traffic. Aidan always seems to fall asleep when travelling, either in the pram or in the car seat, and this was no exception. Here he is, safely and happily home at last, on our living room floor (less than a metre from where he was born a week earlier!).

Image 0010-1470 Canon PowerShot S45 1/24 sec., f/2.8 2003:07:14 17:16:50 UTC

Image 0010-1472 Canon PowerShot S45 1/79 sec., f/2.8 2003:07:14 17:32:28 UTC

With him safely home, we collapsed exhausted and a bit disgruntled on the sofa, and drank gin and tonic - wow! Time to relax at last. Carolyn's parents were with us to help celebrate, but Keith insisted on doing all the cooking. Rather nice champagne was also consumed!

Aidan all tucked up safely in bed, sleeping his first night at home. He was very good the first night - a pattern that sadly didn't repeat on subsequent nights. We're getting used to it all though!

Image 0010-1474 Canon PowerShot S45 1/4 sec., f/2.8 2003:07:14 22:15:31 UTC