February 6th

Adin is progressing nicely. That's what they keep telling us. We got to sit in on rounds again this morning and heard how wonderful he's doing. He went up 1.5 ounces from Saturday to Sunday (now weighing in at 4 lbs 7.8 ounces) and his bilirubin levels at around 12. The second we arrived in his Pod, I snatched him out of his crib and we snuggled for about an hour before Jesse got a turn. Then we tag teamed a diaper change and dressing Adin. I had to swaddle him prior to his feeding so we could go sit in on rounds with Dr. Pelligrinni (not sure if that's how it's spelled) and the team of residents. We heard that the expected take home date is next week...which made me fairly emotional a few times today. During rounds Adin was crying/yelling to be fed, so I snatched him up and started setting him up to feed. 

We have been working on breast feeding and the past few times he has needed for me to use a shield in order to decrease his frustration. However, I keep trying to feed sans shield because eventually he'll get it. Our nurse de jour scheduled me for a consult with the Lactation Specialist so when she joined us I popped the shield off and she gave me a few tips and tricks and we got Adin chugging. The best analogy was to picture my nipple as a hamburger, he would need to open his mouth, position the nipple towards his upper lip and then chomp down. So now my nipple is a Bic Mac. Perfect. 

After he was done, he fell asleep. That is my favorite part...it's the most contented sleep :) I swaddled him up and put him back in his crib. Jesse and I had a hefty agenda for the afternoon so we had to head out. The nurse, unbeknownst to her, gave us a nice guilt trip for leaving. As we packed up she asked if we were going to eat lunch and then come back...easy enough question, but we felt like douche bags for saying we weren't coming back.

We then went and filled out the paperwork to give Adin health insurance - man is he going to give Harvard Pilgrim a run for their money! I also had a nice long chat with his pediatrician a shot that they would like to give him and whether or not that is something we should approve - and he recommended that we do it. It's a monthly shot that protects babies (especially preemies) from RSV which could hospitalize Adin at this point if he gets it. The pediatrician said that the insurance company may not cover it once he leaves the NICU so we should take advantage of having it offered and then his office will work on the referral for the next one. 

Our car seat also arrived, so we installed the base and realized that the other base that we have isn't compatible, thus we will return that one and get the other one (and then install it so both cars are good to go). It is an expensive base, so those that take care of Adin will have to switch cars with us if they would like to run errands. We also installed the camera for the video monitor, set up the humidifier, and put the mattress protector and crib sheets on his bed. His room is fairly cleaned up from all the "stuff" that he now has - however his closet needs some organizing. We have all our luggage in there as well as his tub set, toys, and all the items that he won't be using right away. 

Lastly, I tried out MY pump since I've been using the hospital rental...and my review is as follows: Aveda Purely Yours is better than the Medela Symphony. That's my opinion. 

Oh, also I have produced so much milk that they told me I can start freezing some and keeping it here so i picked up some freezer bags and put the first one in. I think the most positive reinforcement I've ever gotten is for my ability to produce milk. The nurse exclaimed "OH MY!" when she opened my cooler this morning.