Baby's First 3 Weeks

What an experience getting to welcome Kaitlyn to the world! Here's a look at what the last 3 weeks were like for her:

WEEK ONE
Kaitlyn spent her first week in the hospital. Since I had a c-section, we were at the hospital for 4 nights and was suppose to get discharged on Wednesday.

On Tuesday of that week, K's temperature dropped so the doctor's decided to put her in the CCN. So the CCN is not as serious as the NICU but requires that the baby stays there and is not allowed to leave until the doctors clear her. The doctors told us that a temperature drop could indicate an infection - so they did some blood tests (thank god everything came back normal). Since she was on the small side, they wanted to be cautious and decided to keep her for 48 hours - during this time they had her in an incubator and gave her antibiotics.

On Wednesday, I got discharged. So Leo and I, left in the afternoon and dropped things off at home. Then we went back to the hospital to feed her and spend time with her. We left after her 9PM feeding to go home and get some rest. She was doing well, so we thought we'd be taking her home Thursday evening.

On Thursday, I went back to the hospital first thing in the morning and hung out there the whole day. I wanted to be there to feed her and hang out with her. I spoke with the doctor and was told that she had to stay at least another 24 hours. They needed to take her out of the incubator and make sure she can regulate her own temperature for 24 hours. So I spend the day feeding her and hanging out in the patient lounge - Thank goodness for Oli who had lunch with me and hung out with me that afternoon! Leo and his mom joined us around 6PM. We left again that night after her 9PM feeding.

On Friday, I get to the hospital and see the night shift nurse on her way out. She says K did awesome overnight and it looks like she will be going home. I'm getting really excited and happy to be able to take her home. After speaking to the doctor, they're really optimistic that she will get discharged later that evening - she just has to regulate her temperature until about 5PM. So i hang out and pray that she keeps her temperature. At 530PM, Leo and I go to the CCN and are told she's being discharged. What a great feeling! They discharge her and we bundle her up and put her in the car seat and head home. It's so nice being home with her!

WEEK TWO
K's doing great at home. Sleeps well, poops ALOT, and eats well. She's not really latching on - so I pump and feed her breastmilk via bottle every 3 hours. On Tues of week 2, we go to her first pediatrician appt. He checks her out, pokes her, prods her, and pretty much looks at everything. He says - she's healthy and is really strong for her size. She even gained 5 oz!!! YAY!!!

What a week - she got to meet a bunch of aunties and uncles at the baby shower, take her first cab ride, go shop at buybuybaby, and take a walk with me to the post office.

WEEK THREE
K's still doing really great... She's a relatively easy baby. Not too fussy, not a big crier, and easily consoled when she's upset. She's eating more and more - her face is getting so big (cheeks and a double chin!!) She's much more alert now and actually is harder to put to sleep. She's discovering her hands and arms - she keeps sticking her hands in her mouth and touching her face. I love watching her sleep and wake up - she stretches all her limbs out now! We're now trying to change her to 4 hour feedings... she's now up to eating about 80mL per feeding. It's crazy how much she changes day to day, it's amazing watching her discover new things.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, for visiting, for all the food, and love for us! It helps make the transition so much easier for us!

we'll try to keep updating pictures on our smugmug... you can see pics of her first month at: http://peggyandleo.smugmug.com/Family/Kaitlyn/9535911_NUqPx#641001206_eq6bU