Friday, February 5, 2010

Mac at 5 weeks

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. Mac did come home from the hospital on 2/2/10.
He came complete with oxygen tank,
and pulse oxymeter that is inaccurate, excessively sensitive, not sensitive enough, or just bent on waking us up every 20 minutes all night long.
He weighed about 5 lbs 13 oz when he came home from the hospital. He needs to go see the doc every week for weight checks for a while. He consumes 2-2.5 oz of fortified breast milk every 3-4 hours. He is beginning to wake up for feedings, though it isn't consistent and he must be woken and encouraged to eat most of the time.
I used to spend 3-5 hours a day at the hospital with him and pumped every 3 hours for 20 min or so. Since I turned in my superhero cape I actually spend more time in my new role as chambermaid now. I spend 30-45 minutes every 3 hours feeding him with a bottle/changing his diaper, then I pump for 15-20 minutes. I am locked in his room during this time so that Blanket and Tiger don't share their colds with him. Also, his need for oxygen limits his movements around the house somewhat. I sleep in the same room with him because it is the only way I am assured of waking to attend to his nighttime needs. The bed in my room is so comfortable (its a Tempur-Pedic) that I sleep through his nocturnal demands for food even with a baby monitor strapped to my ear.
Additonally, I have measure and mix fortifier into his food. I have to wash all the feeding supplies, and play mom when I am not busy with Mac. Oh, and I have to try and nap some too due to the 3-4 hours of sleep each night I am not getting, due to the aforementioned hour-long feeding ritual established.

Milestones we're looking forward to:
  • getting rid of the oxygen tank and meter.
  • RSV season to be over so that we can go anywhere.
  • to not have to fortify milk, so that feedings can be simple 20 minute affairs.

6 comments:

Johanna said...

I am so glad he is home! I am sure you are exhausted. It makes me tired just reading about it. Hang in there.

Pout In Beads said...

Are you considering getting him the monthly shots for RSV? We did that with Spencer but still had to keep in at home until about May, depending on RSV season. I feel your pain! I went crazy being locked at home all day long, every day!

Sox said...

Yes, he gets monthly RSV shots. I hope he will be released to the world at the end of March or in early April.

Jewelz said...

I agree, just reading about it makes me exhausted. Is your brother still there to help? I don't know how you do it - wait, I do know.. you don't have any choice but to do it and somehow, the Lord strengthens you so that you can. Hang in there and remember: this too will pass, and we grow in the lows. (I know you've probably heard it a million times, but it is true) Love you tons - let us know if we can do anything to help.

Heather said...

Thank you for calling the other day. I am so glad you did. I am also happy that you have your baby home with you. He looks so sweet and worth all the time in the world. Wish I lived closer and could offer my help. Since I don't I will just send my love and know that we are praying for you!

Jenilyn Collings said...

I found your blog through Rosalyn's and I wanted to say congratulations on him coming home!! That's wonderful!

My first was born 11 weeks early and...it's challenging. I can sympathize with the monitors and the oxygen and staying in through RSV season. It's awful. I can't imagine how it would be with two other kids. You're amazing!!