Eli&#39;s 1st week in review

Whew, it was a busy and tough week. Wanted to take some time, now that he's napping, to update what has been going on.

Monday - of course, Eli came to us at 12:47am. We had internet access at the hospital so we were connected to the world Monday thru Wednesday.

Wednesday - we came home. It was an emotional time for both Tim & I. Leaving the hospital, I just cried. Not sad mind you, just happy as I talked to Eli. We told him that it was time to introduce him to the world and that we would protect him and take care of him the best we could. For his coming home outfit, Eli wore the same thing that Tim went home in 42 years ago. Belle met her new pal, sniffed him over and licked his feet. That was about it. She accepted him pretty quickly. One non-baby fun thing from Wednesday is that Tim got his new truck. He got a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. I'm not a huge Ford fan but it's a very nice truck and he's happy with it. Had to trade in his 2 door bachelor ride for the cool Daddy-mobile! Wednesday night was a rough night. Eli did not want to sleep and was very fussy. I tried feeding him for hours and he would be on again, off again and just generally not happy. About 4:30am, he finally settled down for a few hours. It was exhausting.

Thursday - My mom went with me to the pediatrician's office. They had been monitoring Eli's bilirubin levels since his birth. He was at 9 on Tuesday, 16 on Wednesday and 19 on Thursday. Apparently once it gets to 20, they get concerned because it shows that the liver isn't functioning on its' own yet. Levels of 25 and higher can cause brain damage. They did a blood test when we were in the office and called about 4pm to tell me that Eli was going to be readmitted to the hospital for treatment and give us a room number. So, when Tim got home from work on Thursday, we went back to the hospital - this time to the pediatric wing. They only admitted Eli but took great care of me as well. I was allowed to room in with him and things were much better. We also found out that I wasn't producing enough milk so we had to supplement him with formula. He ate like a champ! Turns out that Wednesday's fussing was because I was starving my boy! The first 12-16 hours, he ate 12 ounces for formula. We had some good sleep through the night - about 4 hours at a time. The treatment for the jaundice included him laying in his own personal tanning bed. It was phototherapy and the light helps flush out the bilirubin. He looked like a cute little glow worm in there!

Friday - they did another bilirubin test in the morning and he was down to 16 again. Eli spent the day eating, sleeping and hanging out in his tanning bed. By evening he was down in the 15 range. Tim spent Friday night with us and we just hung out for Friday night date night in the hospital room. The other good thing that happened on Friday was that I was able to meet with a lactation consultant again. That was very helpful.

Saturday - they took his blood at 5:30am for yet another bilirubin test. My boy's poor little heels have been pricked so much. That one came back in the 13s and the doctor was very happy. Apparently these levels peak arounds days 3-5 so his was trending down and they were happy with that. We were discharged around 9:30am and were happy to be on our way home. This trip home was a much more exciting one. We knew he was doing better and he was much more alert and happy. Saturday was a fun day of being home and we played with him some on his Baby Einstein mat.

Last night he slept like a champ! I fed him at 11:30pm and he was up at 4:30am and back up at 8:30am. How perfect can it be?! I know it may or may not always be like that but we're starting to learn his rhythms and watch what he needs. Feedings are going much better. At the advice of the hospital, doctors and lactation consultants, I breast feed first, then supplement with either pumped breast milk or formula - whichever I have available. My milk doesn't seem to have come in completely so we're doing the best we can.

My mom is still here - she has been all week - and will be leaving today. Dad and my brother Billy are on their way to pick her up right now. She has been very helpful and, although I know she may have been bored at times while we were stuck in the hospital, it's been great having her here. She loves her first grandchild so much already. Yesterday and today, I gave her permission to hold him as much as she wanted since she would be leaving. But she's already planned for her next visit!

Here are some pictures from the week:

Belle meets her new friend. His feet must taste good!