The Homecoming

Originally posted on 12/22/08
On December 13th 08 at 9:00am Emery was discharged, unfortunatly this was a saturday and i have english class on saturdays at guess what time... 9 AM lol. My teacher understood, i ran in turned in my revisions and then hopped on the road. My emotions were running higher then they were the first time i entered the nicu, there were so many things running through my head, How will the 40 mile car ride be for her, What if she stops breathing at home, how will i know if she gets RSV, Will i be a good mom? The nurses reassured me that these were all reasonable feelings. I sat in the back seat with her on the way home, i really recommend this, her poor little head was shaking from all the bumps i felt horrible but she just kept sleeping. The first day home was interesting it was like okay how should we do this.. i must say shes a very good baby she rarely cries. I must tell anyone who is pregnant or has an infant. PACK N PLAYS are amazing. My brother bought us one that has a changing table attachment along with a bassinet part with a mobile and it plays music and everything. This is what she stays in 90% of the time , this is in the living room. She has a nice big crib in her room but it will be a few months before i feel comfortable not having her by me . She also has a bassinet in our bedroom for night time.

She wakes up about every 2 to 3 hours to eat sometimes 4 at the very most. She eats anywhere from 60 ml to 125ml.. so 2 to 4 oz. I was so hell bent on mass breast feeding when i got her home, but it didnt happen she was so used to the bottles that latching on frustrated her and she would cry and cry and then fall asleep. I needed her to eat so now i do both again. I have this nipple shield which you can get from babies r us even wal mart it really helps to latch on , thank god for that or i dont think i could breast feed at all. Ive been pumping and giving formula, but i really dont know how much longer i can pump. my supply is dwindling , and i am sad about it but the way i see it is , at least i did it, at least i gave her what i could. and i ll still continue to give her what i can.

After the baby is home for 2 days they go in for a weight check to make sure they are gaining good. Well this is not a problem for miss emery who was discharged at 5lbs 11 oz on monday 2 days later she was 6lbs 3 oz.. CRAZY!. I was so shocked i made them weigh her again. She even fits in most newborn clothes now.

The first few days home was crazy everyone wanted to see her and of course i was very hesitant we let a few people visit but insisted on them using purell before they touched her and if they had any cough at all they were not coming over. After the first couple nights it got easier, my husband and i switch off on feedings at night. Although i do more since he has to work at 6 am. and i can usually sleep till 8 or 9. Her feeding schedule at night is usually every 3 hours, and she usually falls right back asleep after eating but not always. Those nights suck. Now that we have a routine it has become much easier and so rewarding. Everyday i see new things. For example.. she can now hold on to her pacifier, we put it in her hand and she grasps it, 2 days ago she brought it to her mouth UNBELIEVABLE. We were astounded i called my mom she was shocked, Emery didnt just do this one time she did it 6 times in a row. Also we bought one of those mats the baby plays on and it has a mirror and she grabs the mirror and moves it to look at herself from different angles.


<3 paula