Long Day

It's been a LOOOOOONG day.

Robbie had a much better day. He had one of my favorite nurses today. I may have been a little overly emotional today and actually hugged her because I was so appreciative of her. I hope I didn't freak her out. But it was a sincere hug so I don't regret it.

I went to the hospital a little earlier than normal today because one of my closest friends was being induced. She's the one that loaned me her camera when I was panicked about missing Robbie's birth since I was supposed to be knocked out. So I needed to get her camera back to her. She told me not to rush it up there, but I had to.

When I got there and saw who Robbie's nurse was today, it was definitely a good start to the day.

He was resting nicely. Heart rate nice and normal. I said my good mornings, then went to spend some time with my laboring friend. Then back to the NICU to Kangaroo which went wonderfully.

Our nurse filled me in. He was weighed at 1 lb 15 oz. They can't say he really lost another ounce because this was his first time being weighed on the scale vs being weighed on his old bed, so it could just be scale difference. His trach aspirate came back really positive. Now we wait to see if it's the same thing growing as what they found before. I'm disappointed that it was there, but they seem to think it's par for course, so I'm trying not to be discouraged. The tentative plan is to let him grown and strengthen for another week, then think about extubating again. Beyond that- no changes.

After I finished Kangarooing, Robbie was upset. He really does not appreciate the transition from bosom to bed. I can't blame the boy, but it's tough to see him upset. The nurse today spent a good 30 minutes talking to him and soothing him. She REALLY deserved that hug, I'm telling you.

While I was Kangarooing, there was new admission. The baby's dad escorted him in with what can only be called "new nicu dad look." It's an interesting combination of pride & terror. I watched for a little while and when he was standing back while they tried to get an IV in, I congratulated him and offered him a little welcome. He seemed relieved.

Remember how many times I said "overwhelmed" in the first week after Robbie was born? Boy could you see it on his face. He asked a few questions, shared their story (incompetent cervix, 4 months of bedrest, 28 weeks, 2lb 10oz) and when I pulled back the blankets and showed him Robbie (and in hindsight- a good dose of cleavage, but I wasn't thinking of that at the time) he was wowed by how little he was. I think it made him feel better about his little guy.

I was honored because for most of the rest of the day when his family would come in to see the baby, I'd hear him say "And that's Trish & Robbie.. he was 1lb 7oz.." Awww.. so sweet! The new dad to his right also welcomed him a bit. We NICU parents have to stick together.

Actually, come to think of it, I also had another lovely conversation with the parents of the twin boys who were next to Robbie for a while a couple of weeks ago. They were 27 weekers, in the low 2lb range. I had stopped near them while waiting for a newly admitted baby to come through and the dad stuck up a conversation asking how we were. We had done the sort of "hey, how ya doin'..." thing a time or two, but this was our first real introduction. Nice people. Really nice.

Shitty circumstances. Great people.

Anyway, from there I mostly ran back and forth between the NICU and my friend in labor. I finally gave up and left about midnight. 13+ hours at the hospital was officially my limit.

Came home, grabbed a bit to eat, tucked the hubby into bed, am making some milk and then heading to bed.

David's grandpa passed away this morning (it wasn't exactly "expected" but he had been very sick a very long time.) and tomorrow night is the viewing.

I called the doc today about my continuing head numbness, so I'm expecting the call tomorrow about a CT scan. And of course, there will be Robbie visiting (and friend visiting! I'm waiting for the call now that she's finally delivered.) so it's going to be a very long day tomorrow as well.

Definitely need to sleep fast.

For those praying- work on that infection in Robbie's trachea. And think fat baby thoughts. And maybe some non-head-weirdness thoughts for me.

--Trish