Happy 1 week and 1 day Nate!

Happy 1 week and 1 day birthday Nate! Nate's been doing really well over the past couple of days and making some steady progress that the doctor is pretty happy about. The doctor gives us a call in the mornings when he does his rounds around 7 am every day. Over the past couple of days they have been steadily decreasing his IV fluids and increasing his breast milk feedings which is a good thing. He had trouble having a bowel movement on his own but after receiving a "baby enema" he has begun this process on his own. I (Meg) would know because yesterday I changed a stinky #2 diaper! Joe did not offer to help with this one but soon enough he'll get his chance! Today Joe changed a diaper but unfortunately for me it was only a #1. I'm fine with the poopy diapers because it means all is working as it should.

Joe and I have spent most days the same this week. In the mornings we make phone calls to insurance/nurses/doctors/family/friends/etc. From around noon to 6 ish we hang out with Nate down at the hospital in Minneapolis. When we're with him he spends time in his incubator, sometimes with his light and shades on to help with his jaundice. We also get to do something called "Kangaroo Kare"- this is where either mom or dad gets to hold the baby skin to skin to help with bonding/attachment/all sorts of good stuff. This is probably our favorite part of the day by far. During this time we're learning a lot about his readings, oxygen levels, and just general ways to manage holding him and moving all of his wires and IV around.


This face is too funny because it is his post "Please stop holding my arms down to take my temperature face." Joe thinks he's filling out more and more each day. He's 3 lbs 3 ounces today looking towards surpassing his original weight of 3 lbs 4 ounces. We're starting to see his features a little bit more each day. He's got Joe's little line down his nose and Joe's getting nervous that he's going to have big pouty lips like mine.


Here's a good photo of Nate with mom and Aunt Trish. She's been helping us out in countless ways that we can't begin to thank her for. She's been able to come and hang out with us and Nate a couple of days this week after her full work days. Something tells me that he's going to be pretty spoiled by his aunt!

The at-home OB nurse came to see me today at Nate's hospital. She pretty much just checked my blood pressure and asked me a few questions to see how I was feeling. In general, I'm doing pretty well. My scar is healing nicely, minus the horrifying rash/2nd degree burns I have over half of my body due to some chemicals in the iodine process reacting with my skin. Sorry...that's too much information I know, but hey I have to deal with it! It's funny to show people my stomach though because they get so grossed out...not sure why I like that but I do :) For those of you who had the pleasure of seeing the burns after my knee and ankle surgeries....it's pretty much the same, but 100 times more intense, yah, not pretty! My blood pressure is remaining nice and stable since I've been on this medication and I still have follow up meetings with my general doctor starting next week so we'll keep ya posted. For the most part I'm feeling really well and making sure to get enough rest...thank you to everyone for those lovely reminders :)


Uncle Andrew - a good friend of ours stopped by to meet Nathan. He was nice enough to gift Nate with a Dr. Seuss book, the character from the book, and a rubber ducky that tells the temperature of the bath water...what a lucky boy!

The doctor told us that Nathan could ultimately be stepped down to a level 2 hospital in the next couple of days. They are looking to place him at Unity Hospital which is where he was delivered because it's closer to our home. They don't have an open bed for him yet so that is why he is still down at Children's in Minneapolis. Hopefully within the next few days a bed will open up for him at Unity. The doctor said he doesn't really need as intensive care that they provide at Children's and that at Unity they will be doing the same thing for him that they are at Children's. It's all encouraging news but we will definitely miss the staff and comfort of being at Children's. We really can't say enough good things about them and the way they've treated us and Nate. That's all for now!