10/18

Oh man, that first night was awful. The pain was unbearable and made me cry. I took the Morphine when I could, but even that seemed not to work. The little pain ball attached to my scar also didn't seem to be doing anything. I just laid there trying to sleep. I may have dozed off a few times, but I didn't get any useful rest.

Finally at like 4 something (I think) I was able to have Percoset. After a little bit, aaah some relief. I was able to sleep a wee bit before they were back in at 6 am to remove my catheter. I was so sad anticipating the pain I would be in when now having to go to the bathroom on my own, lol.

The best stretch of sleep was between 6 - 8 am. I was pretty comfortable and quite cozy in my bed until I had to go to the bathroom. I felt like a little child. The nurse had to help me with everything from walking to the bathroom with my IV in tow, pulling down my hospital grade underpants and changing my "diaper pad". Sigh, it's a little weird when you haven't had someone help you do those things in such a long time.

She helped me wash my hands and stood there cautiously as I attempted to brush my teeth. I was back in bed after a good half an hour. Man, this was going to be a tough day.

For breakfast it was still the crappy clear liquid diet. I tried pumping again at 8:30 and finally made it to the NICU between 11:30 - 12:45. Em was doing well. She had her IV site changed from left hand to left food.

Pumped @ 3:00pm

Nicu @ 3:30pm
With the help of the nurse, Emily actually latched on and off for about 15 minutes to left. She bit me a bit, but overall did really well. It's a very strange feeling. :)

Pumped @ 7:30pm

Diet changed back to normal. Had some turkey and mashed potatoes and a croissant.

Brad and Tyler came to visit and we went to the NICU from 7:45 pm - 8:10 pm for Tyler's very first visit with his baby sister. He was actually very very excited. After wheeling me over in a wheel chair, we signed in, Tyler took his temperature and were on our way to room #7.

At the sight of the first baby in the NICU he was asking, "Is that Emily?" :) When he saw her in the incubator, he wasn't scared. He stood there at first and just looked at her from a far. We encouraged him to sit in the chair and actually LOOK at her. With some coaching, he said Hi and I love you to her. It made both of us smile.

She had to change her IV site again and now it's in her head. Looked pretty sore. I am glad Tyler didn't ask about it. The one thing he did ask was "Where is her feet?" I had to laugh. She was swaddled in a blanket, so he mainly saw her head. I am actually surprised he didn't ask about her hands.

He could only stay for 15 minutes. And then he asked to go back to my room. He wanted to push the wheel chair some more. Quite a sigh of relief. I didn't know how he would react ... but I am happy to say he did really well. Hopefully once she gets out of the incubator he can come back to visit again and see her in the big girl crib.

Nicu @ 9:30pm
I tried my luck with breast feeding on the right side but Em was pretty sleepy and did not latch at all.

Nicu @ 12:30am
She nursed on the left on and off from about 15 minutes and after wards she took 15 cc of similac infant formula. I got her to burp in the sitting up position. It also seems like she took formula for the first time after I left her 9:30pm feeding. The NICU doctor's orders were to try the bottle after to times of nursing attempts.

Pump @ 1:55am
Teeny tiny amount

Emily's antibiotics at 1:15am. Her blood tests look good so far but the final will be back in the morning.

Pump @ 3:30am
Teeny tiny amount

Pump @ 7:30am
Teeny tiny amount