I have a roommate tonight! He weighs 5lb 10oz and has dark brown hair. Today has been a WONDERFUL day. I got to talk with the doctors as they did their rounds at 10:15am. The head doctor apologized for the fiasco yesterday. He said it was 100% his fault. He said that some of the doctors here believe the first attempt should be a dry one, but he believes it should be a "wet" one, and he didn't chart it so it didn't end up happening. Ian's bilirubin count fell from 13 something to 10 something so they switched him from the bili lights to a Wallaby blanket. This meant he could be held a lot more, and it meant that today was his first day to wear clothes. I got out an outfit I had received as a gift, but I found out he needed to wear a gown (like some of you suggested), and I don't have any gowns. He has worn a gown with trains on it today (one of the hospital's gowns). It's very appropriate given the theme of his nursey and also the fact that our home isn't very far from railroad tracks (trust me I wish we lived farther away from those tracks). Ian will definitely learn what sound a train makes. :-) It's been great to see him without a CPAP or arterial line today, and the IV will be coming out tomorrow! He still will have the feeding tube going down his nose because I don't want him to be bottle fed at this point. I know by February he needs to learn how to drink from a bottle, but I'd like to hold off for a bit on that.
The first attempt at nursing took place at 11am. I awaited that hour with great anticipation. He was able to latch on and did get some milk, but unfortunately he was just wanting to take a nap. It was still a wonderful experience in my opinion. The second attempt was at 2pm, and I was shocked at how much better he did the second time around! Way to go, Ian!!! If he starts getting more milk directly from me, then they'll reduce how much they feed him through the tube. The tube is usually filled with 20ml of my milk plus 20ml of formula. I am pumping after ever nursing attempt since he's not taking too much from me yet. I remember thinking "ouch" a few times when Nadia first tried to nurse. Trust me I will NOT be saying "ouch" with Ian since I've forced myself to adjust to the highest setting on the hospital's electric pump.
When I showed up at 9am, I burst into tears because his name was still on the wall, but his bed was missing. I had a panic attack. Thankfully, they immediately calmed me by telling me that they had moved him because of how well he was doing. Whew. I realized yesterday that wearing contacts is not a good idea given how prone to crying I am these days. I am glad I wore my glasses today. When I showed up at 5pm and he wasn't in his new location, I didn't panic as I knew we were spending the night together in the demo room. I am not complaining about the RMH as it's really very nice, but it's difficult to stay there when you're nursing a baby in the NICU. I am extremely grateful to be sharing a room this evening with him especially considering my calves, feet, and ankles have ballooned to the point they are almost as bad as they were in 2008. My sandals don't even fit any more. I was very grateful when Paul showed up this afternoon (also my mom and Nadia) because this meant I could go back to being pushed in a wheelchair. Walking is very, very painful right now due to the swelling in my feet. I look forward to the day when my ankles will return.
The fence installation was completed yesterday, and Paul took his final exam this morning. Tomorrow he's going to work on the to do list - installing car seats, assembling Ian's crib, picking up the final exams from my office, painting Ian's room, etc. The next item on my to do list is to take a nap before it's time for Ian's next feeding. I am feeding him every 3 hours for the time being. Once he starts getting more milk from me then we'll switch to every 2 hours or even go on an "on demand" schedule, but for now they want me to nurse him at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, 11pm, 2am, and 5am. I look forward to the day when I won't be pumping 8 times a day, but for now I will gladly do so!
I have a roommate tonight! He weighs 5lb 10oz and has dark brown hair. Today has been a WONDERFUL day. I got to talk with the doctors as they did their rounds at 10:15am. The head doctor apologized for the fiasco yesterday. He said it was 100% his fault. He said that some of the doctors here believe the first attempt should be a dry one, but he believes it should be a "wet" one, and he didn't chart it so it didn't end up happening. Ian's bilirubin count fell from 13 something to 10 something so they switched him from the bili lights to a Wallaby blanket. This meant he could be held a lot more, and it meant that today was his first day to wear clothes. I got out an outfit I had received as a gift, but I found out he needed to wear a gown (like some of you suggested), and I don't have any gowns. He has worn a gown with trains on it today (one of the hospital's gowns). It's very appropriate given the theme of his nursey and also the fact that our home isn't very far from railroad tracks (trust me I wish we lived farther away from those tracks). Ian will definitely learn what sound a train makes. :-) It's been great to see him without a CPAP or arterial line today, and the IV will be coming out tomorrow! He still will have the feeding tube going down his nose because I don't want him to be bottle fed at this point. I know by February he needs to learn how to drink from a bottle, but I'd like to hold off for a bit on that.
The first attempt at nursing took place at 11am. I awaited that hour with great anticipation. He was able to latch on and did get some milk, but unfortunately he was just wanting to take a nap. It was still a wonderful experience in my opinion. The second attempt was at 2pm, and I was shocked at how much better he did the second time around! Way to go, Ian!!! If he starts getting more milk directly from me, then they'll reduce how much they feed him through the tube. The tube is usually filled with 20ml of my milk plus 20ml of formula. I am pumping after ever nursing attempt since he's not taking too much from me yet. I remember thinking "ouch" a few times when Nadia first tried to nurse. Trust me I will NOT be saying "ouch" with Ian since I've forced myself to adjust to the highest setting on the hospital's electric pump.
When I showed up at 9am, I burst into tears because his name was still on the wall, but his bed was missing. I had a panic attack. Thankfully, they immediately calmed me by telling me that they had moved him because of how well he was doing. Whew. I realized yesterday that wearing contacts is not a good idea given how prone to crying I am these days. I am glad I wore my glasses today. When I showed up at 5pm and he wasn't in his new location, I didn't panic as I knew we were spending the night together in the demo room. I am not complaining about the RMH as it's really very nice, but it's difficult to stay there when you're nursing a baby in the NICU. I am extremely grateful to be sharing a room this evening with him especially considering my calves, feet, and ankles have ballooned to the point they are almost as bad as they were in 2008. My sandals don't even fit any more. I was very grateful when Paul showed up this afternoon (also my mom and Nadia) because this meant I could go back to being pushed in a wheelchair. Walking is very, very painful right now due to the swelling in my feet. I look forward to the day when my ankles will return.
The fence installation was completed yesterday, and Paul took his final exam this morning. Tomorrow he's going to work on the to do list - installing car seats, assembling Ian's crib, picking up the final exams from my office, painting Ian's room, etc. The next item on my to do list is to take a nap before it's time for Ian's next feeding. I am feeding him every 3 hours for the time being. Once he starts getting more milk from me then we'll switch to every 2 hours or even go on an "on demand" schedule, but for now they want me to nurse him at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, 11pm, 2am, and 5am. I look forward to the day when I won't be pumping 8 times a day, but for now I will gladly do so!
1 comment:
Awwww!!! Cute! And he's right where he should be - in his mama's arms.
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