Cause you won’t have time after the baby comes

Saturday, June 5th, 2010 | Oh, Baby!

How many times have I heard that? And of course, it’s true. The past days have been a complete whirlwind. Because my girl already understood how to work the system, and arrived just after midnight on June 2 that gave me really an extra day at St Lukes. Don’t get me wrong, I was ready to be discharged yesterday after 11 days in captivity. But it was nice to be able to walk over to see Kate whenever I wanted.

She is doing amazingly well in my book; she’s such a strong girl. She dropped 2 oz each of her first two weigh-ins, but when we called last night to check on her, she had gained back 2 oz. Not good if she were on Biggest Loser, but I’m ecstatic that my girl is back up to 4 lb 7 oz. Of course, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s gaining; she’s a little piglet (and I love her for it). The first night she was in the NICU I was able to pump a tiny bit for her in the middle of the night so I walked it over for her. Her nurse told me they had given her 1 ml in a nipple and she took it. I was sleepy so I thought maybe I misunderstood her. Until the morning when we went in, they got her out and handed me the tiniest bottle with just a little in the bottom. She scarfed it and hasn’t looked back. Kelvin and I have each fed her twice now I think. She’s doing so good with it that they were able to cut back on her IV to the point they removed it last night. Between what she gets on her own power out of the bottle and the remainder we put down her tube, she’s being nourished.

Her only setback at this point is a little jaundice. Labs came back when I was there yesterday morning and she was right on the cusp of needing the blue light special. So I told Dr. R that I agreed that we should go ahead and start her on it so we can get her off it sooner. When we went back yesterday afternoon they had her on the billy pad, but it was inside her clothes, making her look like a little glow worm. It made her squint her eyes when we were holding her so Kelvin would put his hand to shield them so she would look at him. Spoiled already.

Being home is nice. Kelvin and mom fixed steaks and sliced potatoes for dinner last night and for dessert we had cake from my work shower that I Google video chatted into yesterday from room 311 at St Lukes. It was fun to peek in and watch the Lager’s open gifts. We actually stopped by my office on the way home to pick up the leftover cake and also brought home gifts. I think we’ll have a mini-shower this afternoon to open them so I can start on thank you notes when I have time between tasks.

4 Comments to Cause you won’t have time after the baby comes

Julie Potrament
June 5, 2010

Sounds like your little bee is doing fabulous! How early was she again?!? My Abigail was 6 weeks early and wouldn’t take a bottle until probably day 4 or 5. She started at 4 lbs 15 oz, and dropped to 4-7 before gaining back. Abby had the blue light special too, with a face little pair of purple foam googles, LOL. She only spent 9 days in NICU before coming home. Sounds like little Kate is doing even better!! The only bad part we really had was an apnea monitor for 3 months that made my heart jump out of my body when it went off in the middle of the night, not for apnea but low heart rate during her deep sleep… Just like her Momma! I will be keeping up with your little bee… It brings back so many memories… Hard to believe Abby is almost 7 years old now! And when they tell you she may develop a little slower because of being X weeks early – not always the case! By 6 months old Abby had caught up and started walking at 10 1/2 months. Good luck little Miss Bentley… Show the world what you got!!!

Shelby
June 5, 2010

Slow down! You are making my recovery look bad!!! Oh, my gosh. You rock! I can’t believe you helped cook dinner. Amazing! I am so glad to hear that Kate is doing well. I love to see prayers answered!

Nancy Agnew
June 5, 2010

Thats great to hear!!

carrie
June 5, 2010

Someday that 10ml bottle will look even smaller; you’ll wonder how that ever was enough for her at the time. It will be really exciting when the gavage comes out altogether!

I’m sure you know and have been told that jaundice is normal for preemies. The boys had it too, but not the blue light special. They had the special black felt eye patches, which looked spooky.

I haven’t talked to you in a couple days, but it’s possible that her weight will go up and down a little bit within the first week or so, or even stay the same. It’s all normal, so don’t worry if that happens. I’m betting the nurses will tell you that too, if you ask.

courtneyb