Saturday February 4th

Today I got to breast feed for the first time! Adin generally knew what to do, but his sucking wasn't strong enough so we used a shield. His second attempt was stronger, but he was still frustrated that he couldn't eat quick enough so the shield went back on. Then, after a quick snuggle I swaddled him up (which I'm quite good at now) and headed into fresh air for the first time since about 3:30 am on Tuesday morning (at which point I was strapped onto a gurney going from the ambulance into UMass Memorial Medical Center). I was given 2 percocet's before leaving the hospital, so as the car ride went on I got more and more woozy. 

Jesse helped me set up camp on the couch where I will spend a good amount of time over the next few days - unless I'm at the NICU hanging out with my baby boy! The Westfields stopped by with the kids for about an hour and I couldn't get over how big their boys were! It was a reminder of just how tiny Adin is :) 

Now we are about to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Jesse's coworker - Jackie... Spaghetti Pie!

3 days old

Adin is continuing to do really well! His "Billy's" (the level the check for jaundice) are climbing slowly but are not yet at the point where he needs the light. He is looking less orange overall and he's been pooping out more of the black tar poop which will bring down his billy levels. His weight is maintaining at 4 lbs 7 oz - but yesterday and today he's pooed immediately before he weigh in.

Tomorrow I head home sans baby and of course that does not make me happy. However I just keep reminding myself that he's doing so well and will hopefully be home VERY soon :)

2 days Old

Here are some photos from today to tide you over :)

He is continuing to breath on his own. He is eating 11 cc's of breast milk like a champ and will go up to 14 tonight. After 2 poops today his weight at 8 pm was 4 lbs 7 oz (a drop in weight is normal). He had a drop in heart rate last night so he will be here for a minimum of five more days to monitor that, so it's still looking like two weeks or less!

Oh, and he was moved to a crib because he can modulate his own body temperature.

1 Day Old

Baby name: Adin Kennedy
Birth date : January 31, 2012
Due Date: March 14th
Weeks pregnant: 33 weeks 6 days
Birth weight: 4 lbs 12 oz
Length: 17 1/4 inches

Monday evening at 6:45 I began having contractions about 10 minutes apart. There were mild and I thought they were Braxton Hicks. A few contractions in and some pulling in my lower abdomen began paired with some pressure in my vagina and anus. I talked with the OB on call and she said to lay down on my side, drink lots of water and give it 2 hours. By an hour and a half they were 8 minutes apart so I talked with the OB on call again. She told me to come in. I did and got hooked up to monitors. They only caught a few contractions and then administered the fetal fibronectin test. Within 40 minutes the OB was back in my room telling me it came back positive (for preterm labor). She told me I was done working until I had a follow up appointment with my OB on Wednesday and sent me home. Hubby and I got home around midnight and went right to bed. I woke up a bit later to go to the bathroom and then settled back in bed to go to sleep. At 2:15 my water BROKE - I mean gushing. The bed was soaked, the floor was soaked, and it kept leaking. I talked with the OB on call again and she told me to come right back in. I arrived back at L&D with soaked pants. They hooked me up to monitors again and told us we were being transported to another hospital as our baby would need the NICU. 

I took my first ambulance ride to the other hospital and arrived there at about 4:00 AM. My contractions were 5 minutes apart but I wasn't showing signs of active labor (cervix was long and only 50% effaced). They started me on the meds to stop/slow labor. The meds were to be taken every 20 minutes 3 times and then every 4 hours. The meds made my heart beat really fast and my face turned beat red. They initially seemed confident that I could make it to Thursday and get the two steroids shots - but my body and baby thought something differently. He began to try to come out butt first and his heart beat dropped. I was rushed into surgery, given lots of information and then was put under. 

Now, over 24 hours later I have all good news: Adin has been breathing on his own all along, he only had an IV and today he drank his first bottle containing colustrum that I pumped. His resident told me that possibly tomorrow he can be dressed and moved into a "crib" where his body needs to start regulating his own temperature. 

33 weeks 4 days

This was one of the top 5 weekends of my life - the contenders are: my bridal shower, the Paul McCartney concert, my wedding (which technically wasn't a weekend), and the weekend Jesse and I got engaged. This weekend was our BABY SHOWER!!!

All that I asked for was that it be green and brown. What I got was that, but SO MUCH MORE! Every itty bity detail was well thought out and meaningful. As I get access to pictures I will post them :)

I got to see family that I rarely see and friends traveled from near and far to share this time with us. We were literally showered with gifts that were well thought out and overwhelmingly helpful! Once the car seat base is installed in the car I can successfully say we are ready for Adin to join us. I even have the last of the 0-3 month old clothes, socks, hats, towels, washcloths, and burp cloths.

We received lots of diapers. A part of me wants to say we have enough newborn and size 1's to last - but I think I'm foolish to believe that. We received 3 diaper cakes that contained enough diapers to completely fill more than 1 entire drawer in Adin's dresser. And for the record, it's the bigger of the 3 drawers. Plus we have packs of diapers under the crib and a large box in the closet. It's a HUGE relief to have these basics all set and now it's just the little things.

Additionally, my mom came to visit which doesn't happen nearly as often as it should. The good news is that she will be back after Adin is born (7-8 weeks from now). My cousin, whom I used to spend the summer with in California when she was 5 and 6 years old is not attending college in Boston and she was able to come. Anything that brings friends and family together is amazing in my book.

In conclusion, I want to send a huge thank you to Ashleigh, Susan, Julia, Kara and Ashley for all your hard work, thoughtfulness, and love. I'm sure there were behind the scenes helpers, so a thank you to you too. I can't believe that a day that wonderful was planned just for us :)