Baby Steps

I've heard that the motto of having a baby in Intensive Care is "2 steps forward, 1 step back." Which I know if true. We've experienced that. But luckily in a VERY mild form. Jax continues to thrive as we wait for his poor insides to heal. We've already seen progress. Who knew we'd be so excited about a little bit of stool?!

Jax started to look a little yellow the last few days and we knew what was coming. Jaundice. Nothing serious. 6 out of 10 newborns have jaundice. The only hard part for Jax is not being able to eat food. Jaundice is usually helped by eating, which flushes it out. And since Jax can't eat, he doesn't get that benefit. Saturday morning we walked in to him being under the lights. And boy was he mad! He was fighting it and letting us all know how mad he was.

It was heartbreaking to see really. After finally waking up after sedation and surgery, he loved being swaddled and cuddled and held. And now he has to be naked, uncovered and left in his bed. He was crying, arching his little back and wouldn't hold still. Constantly grabbing at the mask they make him wear. Good thing I am not in charge of his care because I was seconds from snatching him and holding him in the rocking chair. They finally had to give him a low dose of sedation. After being sedated for a few days I hated the thought of more sedation but couldn't stand to see him unhappy and crying. (Although this was the first time he'd really cried and it was good to hear his little voice. And they wanted him to cry a bit and make sure things were cleared out of his lungs).

We have had such great, patient nurses and one of his night nurses, Jaime had the brilliant idea of placing him on his tummy, with him cuddled around a blanket. Then there was a little pouch he was placed in to make his legs closer to his body and give him the idea that he was swaddled. He loved it! He took his binkie and fell asleep and slept in this position all night!

This morning when we went to visit he was back on his back and completely calm. He hadn't needed sedation for over 12 hours and was able to relax and stay under the lights. His levels had gone down this morning so we are hoping it's not much longer in the lights. I miss holding him whenever I want and seeing his cute little face.

We are able to hold him occasionally and boy does he enjoy it. He is nothing but content in our arms. He already has his daddy wrapped around his tiny little fingers.

Before the jaundice, Thursday I believe, he was able to be dressed in real clothes. It's hard to tell in the picture but he is wearing his first outfit. What a little thing really, but what a fun thing to be able to dress your baby.
Close up. His skull is very prominent in his tiny head and we think he could have a position on Star Trek someday! Good thing he will grow into it.

Our first time being able to capture his eyes open. He was wide awake this night and moving his eyes between Neil and I as we talked to him.

Before the jaundice Jax was able to have many visitors and is looking forward to many more. He has so many people who love him and are concerned about him.

Grandpa E's first visit. They have the same hair style if you look closely:)

Aunt Catherine's first visit.

Grandma E's first visit. Or as Carter calls her "Grammy Susan."

Grandma B's first visit. AKA "Grandma Alma."

We are staying in a basement apartment of a dear friend who has opened her house to us. We appreciate having a comfortable place to stay and sleep. Because we may be here for several months, we are looking into more long-term accommodations and are looking at renting an apartment for the summer. We will have Carter move down with us soon so we can stay together as a family. We miss him terribly and it's hard being apart from him, but appreciate our families being willing to take care of him.

And just because I miss him like crazy.......