Our first week with George

I can't believe it's almost been a week already! Our time at the hospital went fast. Jeff and I were anxious to get home with our newest addition. Judi came to the hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday to spend some more time with George and help keep me company while Jeff popped in and out.

George had a stressful week of course. Between being born, being circumcised, having several blood tests, a brain ultrasound (precautionary - everything was fine), and meeting us for the first time, you KNOW he was traumatized. Despite all that, we loved watching him sleep. He would go into deep REM often and smile and smile while he was sleeping. We kept wondering what he was dreaming about that would make him so happy. You have to love the sweetness of that!

Thursday around 2 pm we were discharged. It was 70 degrees in Denver on Thursday - gorgeous. I was anxious to step outside for a few minutes. We came home and introduced George to Otto. Otto is a little confused and a lot jealous, but he gave George some kisses and welcomed him into our pack. A large stork announcing George's arrival was in our front yard. The Nunnally grandparents sent the stork our way. Soooooo cute! We spent most of Thursday on the phone. Thursday night Judi brought over sushi & champagne for our first dinner at home. WONDERFUL!

Thursday night . . . our first night at home attempting to sleep. I was just too nervous. George is already picking up his head, doing baby push-ups and rolling from side to side. This is worrisome to his new mommy, particularly when we're talking about sleeping in his crib. I couldn't stand it. I was awake all night watching him. PARANOID!!

Friday Jeff and I took George to his first pediatrician appointment. That went pretty well. We were a little disappointed that our first appointment wasn't with our selected doctor, but that's just because of the timing of things. George has gained an ounce since we left the hospital. That he's already on the upward climb is a GREAT sign. It means the nursing is going well - yeah!! They were still a little concerned about his jaundice numbers, so they took more blood from his sweet little heel so they could test again. Jeff and I also asked our whole list of questions related to feeding, sleeping, etc. Later Friday afternoon the pediatrician called to let us know the jaundice numbers were still trending upward. The numbers weren't bad, but weren't headed in the right direction. We're to go to Rose Hospital tomorrow to have the levels tested again.

Friday afternoon Judi came back over to help some more with George. I got scolded for not sleeping enough. Mom is ALWAYS right. I guess I can say that now. ;) I didn't sleep at ALL our first night home. I would soon pay for it. After dinner Friday night and a frustrating day of trying to get George to eat, I LOST it. I was crying uncontrollably for no real reason at all. It was sad, pathetic even. Logically I knew we were doing everything right. Oh well - it is bound to happen given the emotions, stress, hormones, lack of sleep, etc.

Friday night the sleeping went a little better - at least for me. Per the doctors instructions I tried to feed George every three to four hours. I was able to get back in bed in between feedings. If he was fussy in between that, Jeff went to check on him. At one point we moved him to a swing to sleep. That worked REALLY well.

Saturday morning we headed to Rose for more blood work on George. It was quick and the lab tech was very nice and good at her job. That always helps. After we got home, we had a friend stop by to met George. She brought a box of diapers - always a GREAT gift. I fed George and then very soon afterwards the Kegg grandparents arrived. Yeah - reinforcements!! They were excited to meet George - their namesake - and we were THRILLED to have the help for a week.

Saturday afternoon we had another visitor. Judi came back over as well. We all enjoyed dinner together and then I took a really nice nap while George was entertained. Saturday night the feedings went little better still. We kept the little guy mostly in the swing since that worked so well. The difference on Saturday night was that I woke up on my own and went to feed George before he had a chance to get upset. It's easier to function in the middle of the night when you CHOOSE to wake up, rather than your sleep being interrupted. That's very true.

That brings us to today. I am hoping it's a lazy day at home sprinkled with a nap or two. We'll figure it out soon enough.

XOX
Mom