Our week in the NICU

What a crazy ride that first week was! We sure developed a new sense of empathy for parents who live a substantial amount of time dealing with the NICU. Yuck. There were SO many things to be thankful for that week though - mainly for us, Kees gradually improved every day. We never had any "steps back" that so many families experience and for that we were so, so grateful. The hospital was also about five minutes from my parents house, making running back and forth fairly easy, at least time wise. But leaving your child in the hospital when you go home is simply not something that mom's are wired to do, so that was emotionally difficult, as was leaving Calvin behind at home to go hang out with Kees. All that goes to say, we're thankful for all the ways we were cared for and provided for that week ... and very thankful that it is over.

So, to relive our week a bit ... here is little Mister right after coming out of the chute ... and right before being hooked up to wires and tubes.

After the first few hours, Kees was having to work a bit too hard to breathe due to the blood in his lungs, so he was put on the C-pap, this charming little Vader mask you see below.

The next morning was the first time I was physically up to making the trip down to see my little boy ... it was not awesome seeing him hooked up to all this stuff, but Matthew and I both felt such a sense of peace at how he was doing and hope for his quick recovery.

And the next day ... goodbye C-pap! Yay Kees for breathing so quickly on your own!!!

With the exception of poor dear Gary who was headed into surgery at the hospital, all of Kees' grandparents came and visited him in the NICU. Papa was the first ...

And Nanny ...

And Grandma ...

And Grandpa too.

And, of course, Daddy!

This is the picture that Calvin refers to as "purple mommy". On about day three Kees' bilirubin counts flew up and he ended up spending almost two days under the bili light ... which was actually, by that point in the week, moderately devastating because it also meant we couldn't just sit and hold him. That sucked.

But we did our best to find ways around it! Feeding time meant a good 30 minutes of cuddles, every three hours, which wasn't too bad.

I think he looks a bit Benjamin Button-esque in this picture.

Feeding snuggles with Daddy.

Finally, on Friday he was discharged from the NICU and sent over to ped's where we were told we could room with him for the night. So Kees and I spent the night with a very uptight peds nurse. He had to sit in the car seat for an hour and a half to be sure he wouldn't suffocate (he passed), and they really closely monitored his food intake on their very strict feeding schedule. Finally, at about 1pm on Saturday the 27th, we were discharged. I think I ran from the Hospital singing the Hallelujah Chorus. What a relief to be done and be able to take him home!!!