The Life of a "Bili" Baby

Wowie, my life feels like it's been a whirlwind since my last post! Thanks to my wonderful husband for helping me publish my last post from the hospital. Much has happened in the last 6 days since Cole's birth. Let me get you up to date . . .

Thursday morning started out like any other discharge day in the hospital. Rubber eggs with cardboard toast were served, I nursed my baby, and sent him to the nursery to have his labs drawn while I showered and got ready to go home. Everything was going according to schedule until we got some bad news. Cole's bilirubin level was elevated and the doctor wanted him to go under the bili-lights. We expected to have him under the lights for 6 hours, re-draw his bilirubin level and go home later on that evening with the possibility of Cole needing the bili-lights at home.

Okay we could deal with that, but 6 hours later we got bad news again. Cole's bilirubin levels hadn't improved and the doctor didn't want him going home yet. I was alone in my room when I got the news and I lost it (big surprise). I wasn't so worried about his health but I just REALLY wanted to go home. I missed my other kids and wanted to sleep in my own bed. But, I had to stay another night.

Now, I know what you're thinking, what's the big deal? Well, imagine this. Imagine you ordered the most scrumptious dessert possible at the best restaurant ever and having it delivered with no fork to eat it. Then to be told, "We only have 1 fork in the restaurant and you will need to share it with everyone here. It needs to be washed after every use. So, you may have 1 bite every 3 hours for the next 3 days." How would you feel? This is how it is when your baby is under the bili-lights. They have to stay under the lights continuously except every 3 hours you may take them out to feed them, then right back in. It's the best of the best in very small amounts.

Fortunately, Friday morning's labs revealed that his bilirubin levels had dropped enough that he could go home, but needed to continue with the lights until his levels were normal. This also meant that I had to take him in every morning to draw his blood.









At least we were home now, but we had to make sure that he didn't pull his "goggles" off because the lights can cause damage to his eyes. Plus, we had to make sure he was eating every 3 hours. So, we had a few sleepless nights. Sunday we were finally able to take him off the lights completely and we have had a happy baby since then. Last night he only woke up once at about 3:30 . . . let's hope that trend continues.

Changing subjects, I have worked long and hard to get his nursery in order. It's nothing spectacular, but I had to show off all my hard work:

The bedding is the same was what I had with Alex. I went to a graphic design place and had them pull the image of the airplane off the Internet, then we tweaked it and had it cut into a 5 foot vinyl decal. I think it turned out cute. I also re-upholstered his glider (it used to be pink) and made his drapes . . . yes they are blackout!

Jason hung this airplane for me as a surprise for Mother's Day. The airplane, train, and truck were baby gifts from my sisters.

I found the lampshade a Target . . . how perfect is that?

We just love this little buddy! We can't get enough of him, especially now that we can actually hold him!