Thursday, February 2, 2012

We're home!  We came home on Tuesday, January 31st with much joy, excitement, and nervousness about taking care of Liam.  He had a great last four days in the NICU.  After his last cyanotic episode on Saturday morning he was fine.  He had some high blood pressure readings but the two I was there for were right when he was screeching his head off for some food or out of discomfort... my blood pressure would be pretty high, too!  His high blood pressure readings were why they kept him for the last few days.

There are truly a more positives from Liam being in the NICU than I could list.  Firstly, knowing that he was being watched constantly by people who truly know every little in and out of babies was reassuring.  Then, having those same great nurses show you how to do everything from changing a diaper to giving your baby a bath was so helpful!  I'm sure I would have had a book out or I would have been watching youtube informational videos about giving your newborn a bath while he was naked and upset.   One of the best blessings from the NICU was getting to work with the lactation consultants.  I can't imagine how upsetting the challenge of breast feeding would have been if I didn't have the help of these awesome ladies who wouldn't let me give up.  After figuring out that Liam probably has pretty serious reflux and then positioning him to help him eat without being upset, life has been pretty smooth sailing when he's hungry.  I think the hardest thing the NICU nurses and doctors have to deal with must be the parents.

We really are learning so much about him each day, and I promise we're taking bunches of pictures!  Tim has usurped the camera, so I don't have the memory card to upload them just now.  I can't believe how fast time is going by.  We are trying to "sleep when the baby sleeps" which works out occasionally, but it's hard to neglect everything and rest when there are so many things that need to be done.

I definitely have a huge appreciation for any mother ever!