Today was a day of ups and downs. It was awesome having Lucas home. Our house is much more fun with a baby sleeping in the crib and the pack n' play, using the changing table and taking a bath (although Lucas might debate just how much fun it was to take a bath). But each of these activities is a little tinged by the fact that right now only one of our beautiful children is enjoying all these comforts we've set up at home. We still hope the day of both babies being home is close at hand, but right now Olivia's departure date is a little fuzzy.
Olivia had a tough day, which meant Mom and Dad - and Grandma and Grandpa - also had a tough day. After a good night, something was upsetting her eating today, and we collectively (in shifts) experienced four straight difficult feeds. The speech therapist came by mid-afternoon to evaluate Olivia and we began the process of trying to figure out what's set her back. The therapist thinks that the problem is not lack of coordination, but instead that something is causing Olivia not to want to eat. The challenge now is to figure out what's causing that problem and resolve it. Dad was able to have a good long conversation with the attending, who happens to be the director of the NICU with many years and babies of experience. We are confident that he is mulling over the possible problems and solutions tonight and will come to rounds tomorrow with a proposed course of action. There's no telling whether he'll get it right the first time, but we hope so, and if he does Olivia could rocket right out of there. If it takes a little longer to figure out what's going on, her stay may be a bit longer than we had hoped, but she will continue to receive excellent care. For me, the hardest part is thinking that our beautiful daughter is even the slightest bit uncomfortable. I am very glad to know that the doctors are paying close attention and giving her whatever assistance they can figure out that she needs. After feeling a bit frustrating yesterday, I am once again extremely appreciative of the expertise and kindness that my children have been provided in their care at Georgetown. I also feel better that once we can figure out what is setting Olivia back, she will come home a much better eater than I might have thought judging from where she was on Wednesday morning after our rooming in.
On the happier side, Lucas had his first check-up with the pediatrician today, the official transfer of care from the hospital. His official arrival home measurements are 5 lbs, 6 ounces and 19 inches long. Pretty impressive I think, especially when we recall that at birth he weighted 2 lbs, 4 ounces and measured about 16 inches long. It's that sort of progress that makes me truly appreciate everything that the NICU has done fror us and our babies, and we can't wait until Olivia has her own set of coming-home measurements to brag about.
The next few days will continue to be a challenge. Splitting our time means that Mom and Dad don't get to enjoy new baby life at home together very much. And the hospital is even harder to take now that we're getting to experience the freedom of life at home with baby. But today's events are a reminder that Olivia is exactly where she needs to be right now, and that the doctors are working hard to send her home. Hopefully it won't be long until all four of us are strolling around the neighborhood enjoying spring and being together :)
No comments:
Post a Comment