Day 2- Day 4

Day 2 included a visit from Auntie Scar Scar.  This was a pleasant surprise!  The plan was (originally) for her and her family to stay with us for the weekend...with the baby still in utero.  As you can see, this did not happen.  That is why the visit was only from Auntie Scar Scar, and not the whole gang.  Children were not allowed in the labor and delivery room under the age of 12.  Instead, we FaceTimed the little ones while they were at the park with Uncle Dar.

At this point, the new parents were typical new parents.  Just tired...but in the same breath, on cloud nine.  The nights were a bit of a struggle for all.  Mommie was still recovering from surgery and had a hard time getting up and out of bed alone to nurse when the time occurred.  Daddie did most of the changing and swaddling...not to mention helping with pillows and situating for feeding time.

The day was FULL of lots of visitors....hospital people that is.  Because UVA is a teaching hospital, we were very well monitored.  Both baby and mom.  It was reassuring to have all the extra knowledge on a regular basis, but still a pain to have so many interruptions.  Mommie lost ALL modestly.  Whether it was pumping or nursing with full exposure, people just came on into the room. . . . It was Day 2 that the swelling and uncomfortable-ness really set in the from the surgery too......

Daddie also became very tired out, very quickly.  Look how hard he was working to take care of everyone!!

The Belirubin blanket stayed on for days and days.....They would come and prick Rusty Bone's little heal and take a blood sample for testing...then they would come tell us it was still too high.  Not to mention his weight was now 5 lbs 2 ounces.  He was starting to struggle a little with working to latch and eat, even though at this point it was still just the colostrum.

We still worked hard though, to make it work and get our little man nice and strong and FAT.  The more he ate, the more he pooped..which was getting rid of the jaundice.  He looked like a little glow worm in his blue shining blanket!  He was so good about his mask and bundle though....we for sure knew we had a good baby (or he was just too sick to care...).  Day 3 (Monday) we got the same news.  Jaundice was still to high and the blanket needed to stay on.  We also got a visit from the lactation nurse.  She helped with giving some advice on getting him to latch and eat (the colostrum), timing (every 2 hours), and positioning.

Day 4 (Tuesday) we got a visit from Auntie Triple J.  This was a very pleasant surprise, as we know that she does not like hospitals (at all!!).  It meant a lot for her to visit.  Not to mention, hook us up at home with food and goodies to make it easier for the parents to be!

Wishful thinking....we were still stuck at the hospital.  Well, technically.....Mommie was released on Day 4.  However, with no nursery, they want you to stay.  You can keep the room and they still feed Mom breakfast, lunch and dinner....but no more doctors or check ups..Just for the newborn.

It really didn't matter though.....Mommie was not going any where without her babe.  Even with no sleep, anemia (and a refused blood transfusion), a recovering tummy, and severe swelling and constipation.....There was nothing that was going to get Mom to leave her newborn at the hospital without her....