Dear Emmett,
We didn't get to visit for very long today because Mommy was discharged from the hospital and I had to work at night. We had a good visit though, your mom held you the whole time and I shot some videos of you.
You did pass one milestone today, your umbilical cord fell off. I remember being really nervous about that before you were born, not knowing how to take care of it. With your stay in the NICU, it hasn't been an issue. I can remember when your Uncle Kyle was born and your Grandma - my mom - telling me that I had to be careful around it. Now you just have a cute little belly button.
See you again tomorrow,
Daddy
Showing posts with label milestone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label milestone. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Happy Birthday!
Dear Emmett,
Now, I don't want you to get the right idea, we're not the type of parents that plan to celebrate your 15 week birthday or 17 month birthday or anything crazy like that, but I think a week old is significant. So Happy One Week Birthday my son. And what a day it was. We only made one trip to the hospital today, but we stayed for almost 5 hours. When we arrived, you had more surprises in store for us. It seems like every time we see you, there's another sign of your progress. Today you were completely off any air support, no nasal cannula, breathing only room air. Not only that, but the nurses also removed your IV! That means you're getting all your nutrition from your mother's milk. Now, the nurses told us that it's possible you might have to have the IV put back in, but with the way you've been progressing, I'm confident you can stay off it.
I have to go back to work tomorrow, so I'll only get to see you once a day during the week now, but mommy will be visiting you in the mornings. It's going to be rough not seeing you so much, but that will make the visits we do have that much sweeter.
I love you,
Daddy
Now, I don't want you to get the right idea, we're not the type of parents that plan to celebrate your 15 week birthday or 17 month birthday or anything crazy like that, but I think a week old is significant. So Happy One Week Birthday my son. And what a day it was. We only made one trip to the hospital today, but we stayed for almost 5 hours. When we arrived, you had more surprises in store for us. It seems like every time we see you, there's another sign of your progress. Today you were completely off any air support, no nasal cannula, breathing only room air. Not only that, but the nurses also removed your IV! That means you're getting all your nutrition from your mother's milk. Now, the nurses told us that it's possible you might have to have the IV put back in, but with the way you've been progressing, I'm confident you can stay off it.
I have to go back to work tomorrow, so I'll only get to see you once a day during the week now, but mommy will be visiting you in the mornings. It's going to be rough not seeing you so much, but that will make the visits we do have that much sweeter.
I love you,
Daddy
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Day Seven
Hey buddy!
We just got back from another good visit with you in the NICU. Your bili levels only went up a tad bit this morning, so they were able to take you off the lights. Even better, they took the velcro dots off your face! Every day we get to see more and more of you. The other surprise we found was that the nurses gave you some clothes to wear. So far you've just been chillin' in a diaper, but now you're wearing a tiny onesie. The first day I came down to the NICU, the nurse told me that once they've put you in donated clothing, we can look to put you in clothes we've made or bought for you. I'll have to go through my stash of baby clothes and see if I have anything small enough. Though I'll likely wait a few days, just in case.
Since it's Saturday, we had time to visit with you longer. I held you skin-to-skin for over an hour and your mom held you the same way for almost two! Your tiny little body felt so warm laying on my chest. I can't wait to do it all the time at home. We'll be back later with some more visitor, Grandma and Grandpa Maynard want to come to see you again.
Love you son,
Daddy
We just got back from another good visit with you in the NICU. Your bili levels only went up a tad bit this morning, so they were able to take you off the lights. Even better, they took the velcro dots off your face! Every day we get to see more and more of you. The other surprise we found was that the nurses gave you some clothes to wear. So far you've just been chillin' in a diaper, but now you're wearing a tiny onesie. The first day I came down to the NICU, the nurse told me that once they've put you in donated clothing, we can look to put you in clothes we've made or bought for you. I'll have to go through my stash of baby clothes and see if I have anything small enough. Though I'll likely wait a few days, just in case.
Since it's Saturday, we had time to visit with you longer. I held you skin-to-skin for over an hour and your mom held you the same way for almost two! Your tiny little body felt so warm laying on my chest. I can't wait to do it all the time at home. We'll be back later with some more visitor, Grandma and Grandpa Maynard want to come to see you again.
Love you son,
Daddy
Friday, February 11, 2011
Day Six
Dear Emmett,
Today was our first full day back at home, and we have started to realize how hard this is going to be. All the routine elements of life conspired to keep us from our schedule and we didn't get to see you right when we wanted to. We were able to come see you twice today though, so that is very good.
I held you on our first trip while your nurse fed you again. They increased your feeding to 10 CCs which is great news. Soon you'll be eating like a champ. When we came back in the evening, I held you for a while again, and then mommy held you skin-to-skin for the first time. She laid you on her chest where you could hear her heartbeat and you fell right asleep. I'm going to try it when we come to see you tomorrow.
You were off the bilirubin lights all day today. They will test your blood again in the morning, and if your levels are low, you can stay off them again. If your little liver continues to process the bilirubin in your blood like it should, then you won't have to get treatment any more. You'll get to have the velcro dots taken off your head and be much more comfortable. We'll keep a pair of your little shades for your baby book. See you tomorrow.
I love you son,
Daddy
Today was our first full day back at home, and we have started to realize how hard this is going to be. All the routine elements of life conspired to keep us from our schedule and we didn't get to see you right when we wanted to. We were able to come see you twice today though, so that is very good.
I held you on our first trip while your nurse fed you again. They increased your feeding to 10 CCs which is great news. Soon you'll be eating like a champ. When we came back in the evening, I held you for a while again, and then mommy held you skin-to-skin for the first time. She laid you on her chest where you could hear her heartbeat and you fell right asleep. I'm going to try it when we come to see you tomorrow.
You were off the bilirubin lights all day today. They will test your blood again in the morning, and if your levels are low, you can stay off them again. If your little liver continues to process the bilirubin in your blood like it should, then you won't have to get treatment any more. You'll get to have the velcro dots taken off your head and be much more comfortable. We'll keep a pair of your little shades for your baby book. See you tomorrow.
I love you son,
Daddy
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Day Five
Dear Emmett,
Your mom was discharged from the hospital today, which means she got to come home. You are still there and will be for a while still. We came to see you before we packed up and went home, and we had a really good visit. Your nurse fed you and you had digested all that she gave you at your previous feeding. We're so happy to see you digesting your food now. You were off your CPAP machine and we got to hold you again for almost an hour. It was wonderful to finally see your tiny face without all the breathing apparatus around you. The nurse gave you a tiny knit hat to keep your head warm. Perhaps I will bring you one that I made to wear while we hold you. You were very active and awake too while we held you. You squirmed around and made lots of squeaks. It's so great to hear your little voice even if it is just a peep.
We came back to the hospital to visit you tonight and luckily got to hold and feed you again. Your mom let me hold you the whole time since she will get to spend a lot of time with you over the coming weeks when I go back to work. I gave you the hat I knit for you while mommy was in the hospital last week. I fit perfectly and you looked so adorable wearing it.
I'm so glad you're off the CPAP machine now so we can see your sweet face. We didn't realize it at first, but they even moved the equipment out of your room, which means you're likely off the machine for good. That is wonderful news. See you tomorrow.
I love you my son,
Daddy
Your mom was discharged from the hospital today, which means she got to come home. You are still there and will be for a while still. We came to see you before we packed up and went home, and we had a really good visit. Your nurse fed you and you had digested all that she gave you at your previous feeding. We're so happy to see you digesting your food now. You were off your CPAP machine and we got to hold you again for almost an hour. It was wonderful to finally see your tiny face without all the breathing apparatus around you. The nurse gave you a tiny knit hat to keep your head warm. Perhaps I will bring you one that I made to wear while we hold you. You were very active and awake too while we held you. You squirmed around and made lots of squeaks. It's so great to hear your little voice even if it is just a peep.
We came back to the hospital to visit you tonight and luckily got to hold and feed you again. Your mom let me hold you the whole time since she will get to spend a lot of time with you over the coming weeks when I go back to work. I gave you the hat I knit for you while mommy was in the hospital last week. I fit perfectly and you looked so adorable wearing it.
I'm so glad you're off the CPAP machine now so we can see your sweet face. We didn't realize it at first, but they even moved the equipment out of your room, which means you're likely off the machine for good. That is wonderful news. See you tomorrow.
I love you my son,
Daddy
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Day Four
Dear Emmett,
We got to hold you for the first time today. You've begun to slow your breathing down, though not yet to the point where you can come off the CPAP machine. It was a wonderful experience to hold you in my arms. I could feel your little body working to breathe as I cradled you in my hand. You gave me a bit of a scare when one of your leads popped off and the monitors lost your heartbeat. But the nurse came in and fixed everything back up for you. I only got to hold you for about 20 minutes, but I could've stared at your face for hours.
You also started to digest the food the nurses have been giving you, and that is a great sign. You still have a feeding tube, and likely will for a while yet. When the nurse checked your tummy, there was very little left, so she was able to give you a full syringe of new milk.
Mommy is still at the hospital tonight, but I had to come home to stay with the dogs. I miss you so much. I know it is going to be hard when your Mom comes home tomorrow and you won't just be an elevator ride away. I am glad, though, that we live very close to where you are staying and can come visit whenever we like. I will see you tomorrow and I can't wait.
Love,
Daddy
We got to hold you for the first time today. You've begun to slow your breathing down, though not yet to the point where you can come off the CPAP machine. It was a wonderful experience to hold you in my arms. I could feel your little body working to breathe as I cradled you in my hand. You gave me a bit of a scare when one of your leads popped off and the monitors lost your heartbeat. But the nurse came in and fixed everything back up for you. I only got to hold you for about 20 minutes, but I could've stared at your face for hours.
You also started to digest the food the nurses have been giving you, and that is a great sign. You still have a feeding tube, and likely will for a while yet. When the nurse checked your tummy, there was very little left, so she was able to give you a full syringe of new milk.
Mommy is still at the hospital tonight, but I had to come home to stay with the dogs. I miss you so much. I know it is going to be hard when your Mom comes home tomorrow and you won't just be an elevator ride away. I am glad, though, that we live very close to where you are staying and can come visit whenever we like. I will see you tomorrow and I can't wait.
Love,
Daddy
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