Happy One Week Birthday!

Turtle is one week old today - I promised him that next year this time, he would be smashing around in a cake and I will take pictures with which to embarrass him later in life. I explained that this is just how it's done.

It was an insane day. Mom and I went to the hospital mid-morning and had a rather distressing conversation with the unit doctor. I found him to be a bit arrogant and misogynistic, and felt like he wasn't listening to our concerns regarding bringing Turtle home on a monitor. Where yesterdayhe had made it sound like we were free to do it if we were up to the challange, today he acted like everything was absolutely fine and this would just be a small hiccup in our day to day care of our son. He really acted like we were challenging his authority, and I immediately called DH - he's much better in these situations than I am, and I wanted him to have the same conversation with the doctor so that we were sure our concerns were addressed. The doctor just wasn't hearing a word I said.

When he left, the nurse came over and asked if I was ok. Of course, that was just about the straw that broke the camel's back and I burst into tears right then and there. She sat with me and Mom for about 30 minutes, explaining the entire process of training (CPR & monitor) and how DH and I would spend the night in a special room right there where we would handle all of Turtle's care on our own, so that they could see us in action. It's a little unnerving to constantly be under scrutiny, but the nurse really made everything sound so much more manageable than the way it was posed yesterday. She was so compassionate - she understood we are new parents and this is beyond terrifying, even though for them, it's no big deal.

Mom and I left so DH and Dad could visit with Turtle for a bit. DH spoke with the doctor and they had a very productive conversation, clearing up any and all "miscommunication," and adding to the mix the reality that there are babies in NICU with communicable diseases, so Turtle would be better off getting out of there and being home (well, yes, of course.... but that's not what was said to us yesterday). I'm glad he was there to do it.

They also orderd up a slew of tests for our baby. His head ultrasound came back normal! But then he had an ekg and a swallow study and is scheduled for an echo at 8am tomorrow. All of today's tests came in normal, and I am starting to breathe a little easiser. His carseat is already at the hospital for when they order up his carseat test and his brady episodes are reducing a little bit every day.

The doctor also says that when he does come home, we do need to be very careful with him for 6-8 weeks. We are allowed to take him for walks in the stroller, and to the doctor and other necessary trips, but contact and exposure to public needs to be extremely limited. We'll be a bit housebound, but that's ok if it means having our little guy home.

We got there tonight for his 9:30 feeding. He wasn't particularly hungry - not surprising considering the busy day he had. I was glad just to hold him and love on him for a little while. I have a feeling I'm going to spend a lot of time with that little one in my arms once he comes home.

Hopefully, tomorrow's report is even brighter!