The first week home

Well Ethan and I were released from the hospital on Thursday. When the nursery nurse brought him in to me at 5:30 she mentioned his bilirubin #'s were high and that he was jaundice. Of course I freaked out and called Norm and he came to the hospital. We waited around to be discharged and for the Pediatrician to come and tell us what was going on. When she showed up she said the #'s weren't that high and we were good to go. So we went home to face our first night alone. As soon as we got home Norm called and made an appt with Polly, our lactation consultant. She told him to stock up on snacks b/c this night would be the hardest on us. Boy was she right. Ethan wouldn't eat and he cried alot. I was getting frustrated from lack of sleep and thinking my child was starving. Thank goodness we have Polly b//c I called her at 1 am and she told me to try pumping and giving formula. I didn't like it but Ethan got formula his first night home. Norm and I survived the first night!

Friday morning we went to Polly's for a consultation. She confirmed that he did have jaundice. We came up with a plan to keep him well hydrated and hoped that would work. When we got home my mom suggested calling his pediatrician and let them know what was going on. Well that phone call landed us in the ER. It was the hardest thing to watch Ethan having blood drawn. We were there for 4 hours. Ethan's bilirubin #'s did rise. They went from 9.2 to 13.7. The ER doc wasn't concerned. Our instructions were to call the ped in the morning. Erin and Ryan arrived shortly after.

Saturday, Norm called the doc and they wanted another blood draw. So we packed up again and made our way to the hospital. Ethan is so strong. he didn't even cry when he had his heel pricked. We recieved great news that his # was down to 11.4. Keeping him hydrated was working and the bilirubin was leaving his system. :)

On Sunday we had a little photo shoot with my family and Ethan. He is the cutest baby. My family left and we were all alone.

I survived my first day home with him and the rest of the week. He's getting stronger and better at breastfeeding. We are trying to overcome obstacles. He's been gaining weight and we go back to the doctor this Thursday.

Norm and I are completley in love with him. He is the best thing to ever happen to us.