Tuesday, April 27, 2010

We moved!

Man, life has been hectic! We moved this past week, from VA to MD. Its put us about 10 min from Justin's work, and about 30 from JHH. Both are blessings :)

Drew has really been doing well! We have finally gotten everything situated with the medical supply company, and Drew is thriving! At his last appointment, he was up 2 pounds from his discharge weight. 2 pounds in 2 weeks - not bad! I just hope that he's evening out now, cuz if he keeps up at that rate, I'll have biceps that put The Hulk to shame!

Going to my appointment next week to discuss IUDs. I see it as the only option, I never remember to take pills, and shots don't appeal to me. Neither does fishing a plastic ring out of my vag every 3 weeks. So here we are. AND, as a kicker, I got my first post-partum period last night. Now, there is something I haven't missed.

I also joined a weight-loss program. 17 pounds to go til pre-baby weight, and 26 til pre-Justin weight (hey, we enjoy eating out. A LOT.)!!!!! I am hoping to get into a bikini at least ONCE this summer. We'll see. :)

Sunday, April 18, 2010

One week down!

Wow! The first week at home has FLOWN by. I cannot even believe it!

Justin and I are adjusting. Its weird, we went through a period after Drew was born where we were parents... but now that he's home, I'm a MOM. I don't know how to say the two are different, but they are. :)

Drew had a really good week. He's adjusting well, and gained a whole pound his first week home! YAY! We have also finally gotten everything we need from the medical supply company.

He had his first post-JHH pediatrician visit. He's doing well, and right on track. Yay!

Now, we've had such an incredibly difficult time with his machines at home. His apnea alarm goes off even when he is clearly breathing, his pulse ox isn't sensitive enough to pick up his respiratory rate, and forget me going out in public on my own. Four machines and a stroller? Yeah right. Justin and I went to the bank on Thursday, and even with the two of us, it was a joke.

Drew was also really constipated this week. Oh, that was a trial. He just yelled and yelled. Pedi said 1/2oz prune juie with 1/2oz water. You wouldn't (or maybe would) believe the opinions I have heard from other mothers about how babies aren't supposed to drink either. Its not like I'm giving him a bottle full! And besides, its what his DOCTOR said. So, shove it. He's finally pooing normally again, but is still really gassy. Hello, Mylicon!

In other news, its moving week! We will be out of our apartment on Thursday. I'm happy and sad at the same time. Big adjustments ahead!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Whirlwind Part 2

Well, things have been NUTS!

Justin and I were woken up to a phone call Thursday morning from the discharge nurse, asking what time we'd be in. We told her by 11am. Then we got a call from the medical supply company, asking what time we'd be back in VA, so they could drop off our equipment. We said by 4pm. We got up, showered, and went to go pick up our boy!

We got to the hospital, and Justin signed all the discharge paperwork, while I dressed Drew in his dinosaur coming-home outfit. Then we went over infant CPR, and the nurse said "ok, you can leave whenever you are ready! I am going to lunch, so I won't see you again!" YAY! We fed Drew, and were walking out of the room when...

Another nurse came running in, and told us the pediatric team was on their way down to see us, because his orders were changed last minute. WTF?! I pretty much just started crying, because I had a bad feeling. Sure enough, he failed his sleep study AGAIN, so they decided he aso needed to be sent home with an apnea monitor. And they could not get one delivered until Friday. Needless to say, we were both pretty upset.

We had already checked out of RMH, so we drove the long drive back to VA. Without our son. I can't describe the incredible heartbreak I feel every time I have left him. We went to bed, and woke up bright and early Friday to try again.

We got to the hospital, and they confirmed the apnea monitor and oxygen tank were on their way. They would be there by 1pm. 2:30 rolls around, and they are finally brought in. We hooked Drew up, put him in his Spiderman coming-home outfit (hey, the dinosaurs were dirty!) and at 4pm, finally pulled out of the JHH parking lot. With our son!

We got home, and let me tell you - it is a STRUGGLE to carry an infant, an oxygen tank, and an apnea monitor. And now, we get to add feeding pump to that list, because our rep showed up at our house! He brought Drew's feeding pump, enough medical equipment to last forever (ok, a month) and formula!

Oh wait... wrong formula. Way wrong formula. And we are missing a nasal cannula. And our full sized oxygen tank. And our NG tubes. So, he went back to the warehouse, and arrived at 1am (!) with our full sized oxygen tank. And... the wrong formula. And no nasal cannula. And no NG tubes. He said he's be back in the morning.

Well, Drew finally goes down at midnight. And his apnea monitor alarmed every 5-10 minutes throughout the night. I was in a dead panic (and am now dead tired), until 7am, when I realized we put his leads on backwards. Uhm, duh. Its only gone off twice since. ::Whew!::

We still don't have the correct formula. Apparently because its Enfamil 24/cal, its a "special order" so we will have to call the company (and not our rep) directly on Monday. Only, we only have enough formula to last til about 5am Sunday. I guess we will have to give him regular Enfamil from Walmart until Monday.

Well, he just woke up, so I have to run. But my boy is FINALLY home! :) :) :)

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Whirlwind week!

Wow! So much has happened this week already, and its only Wednesday.

Drew's 2nd sleep study was Saturday night. When I got to the hospital Sunday, he was on oxygen. Apparently he had stopped breathing several times throughout the night. He is now to be on oxygen at all times :( This makes me sad, as we had been proud of the fact that he'd ony even been on "open air" but at least he's getting what he needs. Anywho, he obviously failed the study.

Easter was wonderful. Drew got 5 baskets! One from Mommy and Daddy, one from the Ronald McDonald House, one from Johns Hopkins, one from his roommates grandmother, and one from my godparents. Little dude is so spoiled! :)

Monday my godmother came to visit. We had a great time, and he loved the attention, as always :)

Tuesday we were taught on a babydoll how to insert his NG tube (feeding tube thru his nose). There was a cancellation, and he was able to get his 3rd sleep study done, to see how he did on oxygen.

Wednesday (today) we found out the preliminary results - he did much better! The oxygen really helps. It appears that on top of everything else, he has apnea. I got to insert the NG tube (really intense!) and get him all set up. We are being all set up to take him home with the feeding tube, and his own oxygen tank, and a pulse ox monitor. They should arrive tomorrow.

Best news?! He should be home tomorrow! YAYYYYYY!

Oh, and he's at 7lb15oz! Thats up 10oz from birth weight, and 15oz from his weight when he was admitted 3 weeks ago! LOVE IT!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Here's comes Peter Cottontail...

Drew's follow-up sleep study is tonight! Yay! It should have been on Thursday, but oh well. Hopefuly we still have the results Monday, but I doubt it. His pulse-ox is steady at 99-100 still, so I am thinking all will be well. I am hoping/praying/NEEDING all to be well. And then after tonight he is cleared for oral feedings. How tat will work is he will be given 80ccs (mLs) of formula (more on that in a minute) and 15 minutes to drink it all. If there is an left over after 15 minutes, it will be gavaged (fed through his feeding tube) so he doesn't burn more calories trying to eat than he is actually taking in. Once he can consume his bottles in 15 minutes, he will be cleared to go home (again, assuing he passes the sleep study). And I bet he picks up the bottle like nobody's business! He has been DYING for a paci to suck on :)

Onto my milk - there is none left. I am still on Reglan (prescription to boost prolactin - milk producing hormone), Fenugreek (herbal supplement to increase breast milk), and I am pumping with a $600 hospital grade Ameda pump. Nothing is working. I am drier than you can imagine. And yet, in God's twisted way of working the female body - it HURTS. My boobs are KILLING me. Which according to my LC (lactation consultant) is a good thing, because it means my breats are functioning (capable of producing milk) but that my stress level is counteracting all the other measures. Terrific.

I was cleared to do skin-to-skin finally though. Tomorrow I am going to take one of Justin's button-down work shirts and just cuddle with my boy. He sure does love to be held so I hope this is as successful as I hear.

Also, I have Drew's Easter outfit and basket all ready to go, so I can take to the hospital with me tomorrow. We will wait til Justin is off work to do the basket, but I will put him in his adorable outfit right away. Its white though - I hope he doesn't have any blow-outs!

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