Baby News!

Well, as you probably already know, this blog hasn't been updated because Baby is here! I'll now give you a day-by-day-play-by-play to bring you up to date:

Fri., 12/14: I make it to school and enjoy a wonderful last day. I didn't have time to open a single gift from my students or even update the blog with a "There, I did it!" post. I just taught my heart out all day and enjoyed it. After school I put aforementioned gifts in the car, left a slew of directions on post-its for my replacement, and headed to the faculty holiday party. On the way to the party, Mag calls me and we discuss her dream that I was in labor. I told her I was either in labor or constipated as my back was hurting. This odd sensation continued throughout the party, and eventually I realized it was coming and going in intervals (read: contractions). I finally left the party and called Dan and my doctor (who told me to go to the hospital).
At the hospital, I was hooked up to monitors because of some troubling symptoms of my own (although Baby continued to do very well throughout the delivery).
I had contractions all night.

Sat., 12/15: Baby arrives at 10:22 AM. No epidural or c-section-- hooray! It's a Boy. 6 pounds 2 ounces, 18.5 inches. Beautiful. We cannot choose a name.

Sun. 12/16: We finally name him James Michael and call it in to the birth certificate department just before they head home for the day.

Mon. 12/17: We're sent home.

Tues. 12/18 (due date): Aunt Ali and Uncle P come to visit from DC bringing flowers, food and fun. We take many cute photos of Baby James and enjoy each other's company. Ali comments on James's tan; we begin to suspect his jaundice is worsening.

Wed. 12/19: James doesn't eat much, so we head to the pediatrician who confirms that his jaundice is worse. His eyes are yellow (though rarely open) and diapers empty. He's down to 5lbs 10 oz. We get a strict feeding plan to get him pooping, gaining weight, and fighting jaundice.

Thurs. 12/20: Sticking with plan. Feeding James 2 oz. every 2 hours through breastfeeding, pumping and some formula. Diaper production way up. James & I go to the breastfeeding support group offered through the hospital. It is great to meet other moms and hear that many of them had jaundice and feeding woes as well.

Fri. 12/21: Back to doctor-- James is back to 6 pounds. We express concern that he's catching our cold and are told to watch for fever and appetite change. Nana & Pop (my parents) arrive from SC via DC.

Sat. 12/22: Grandparents Lepori and Freeman dote on James. Freemans take Jen to mall for last minute gift buying for Dan. James continues sneezing.

Sun. 12/23: James is now coughing and both of his eyes are very gooey. We call doctor, but there is still no fever.

Mon. 12/24: Grandparents continue doting. James continues coughing, sneezing and gooing. We continue calling the doctor. Finally, Dan & I get up in the middle of Christmas Eve dinner to take James to ER when his breathing rate worries us beyond comfort levels. He is diagnosed with RSV (a respiratory virus) and admitted to the PICU.

Tues. 12/25: Merry Christmas. James is on oxygen and is much happier. He gets a teddy bear from his nurse. It is bigger than he is.

Wed. 12/26: Still on oxygen, but the levels are lower. Today's nurse, Betty, gives him a cute monkey named Bongo. Our amazing night nurse Leslie sends both Dan & I home for the night and we enjoy a fire in the fireplace with Mom & Dad.

Thurs. 12/27: Oxygen levels back up after some high respiration overnight. Secretions getting fewer.

Fri. 12/28: Things are looking better. James comes off oxygen altogether! Grandparents Lepori stay at hospital for the day and we take Mom & Dad (aka Nana & Pop) to the city to see the tree and windows. We all expect James to come home tomorrow.

Sat. 12/29: New intensivist on call today. She not only thinks his breathing is not good enough for going home, but also says she hears a heart murmur and wants to do a chest x-ray and an EKG. Dan & I flip out, call our pediatrician, and eventually consent. Everything comes back normal. James continues to breathe well without oxygen, but has to stay the night.

Sun. 12/30: Original intensivist back on call. Apologizes for murmur madness. Admits he'd heard it once, but was never worried/concerned about it. Listens for it, but doesn't hear it. Also doesn't hear any congestion or crackling in the lungs. Sends James home. Hooray! We celebrate Christmas with VERY happy grandparents that afternoon.

Mon. 12/31: Have a low-key day with Nana & Pop who enjoy spending lots of time cuddling with Sweet Baby James. Visit the pediatrician for 2-week check up and follow-up from hospital. James is up to 6lbs 13 oz. She doesn't hear murmur, but orders an echo cardiogram just to be sure. It's scheduled for Wednesday. Celebrate New Year's Eve by watching Clemson football and the NYC ball drop.

Tues. 1/1/2008: Breakfast with Nana & Pop before they head home to SC. Shed a few tears. Go back to bed. Spend the day relaxing, eating, changing diapers.