Today, I am back on my day job, watching the Gideon do baby things in the NICU. He is doing great today. Rounds have taken extra long today, so I have not talked to the doctors yet. The ventilator has been moved out of Gideon’s room and he now has no extra equipment in there with him. What a change!
We, my boy and I, practiced breastfeeding today. It was not a non-nutritive feed, just a regular old let’s give this a go session. It will take awhile for Gideon (and Mom) to get the hang of things. He has had so many unpleasant things in his mouth and throat that he has to figure out that breastfeeding is good. He sucked a bit but mostly just wanted to snuggle with Momma. The consultant said that was ok and to just practice for a couple days and see if he gets the hang of it. We are going to try again at 3 when he gets his next feeding. Gideon still has a tube in his belly, so he gets food in his stomach while we practice sucking.
It was dark and snuggly during our first session, so we both dozed off. It is so easy to fall asleep with a little bundle of warmness in your arms. I see that I am going to get nothing done once we go home. So far, the alert and less medicated Gideon is turning out to be a very calm baby. I am not sure he will stay that way or what I, terrible child that I was, did to deserve such an easy go lucky child. I know for a fact that his dad was also a handful, so neither of us should have such a kid. (of course Ries asserts he was a perfect baby, but I know for a fact that was not true).
I suppose we are just lucky.
Tomorrow, Ries and I will both be back at the hospital. It may be Saturday on a holiday weekend, but it will be just another day in the NICU for us. We hope that you all enjoy yourselves. Have a cold drink for us and have some fun.
Know for a fact, huh?
I was a good child and my mom used to always say so. Suddenly in the last year she has started telling Michelle that I was handful. (Retirement seems to modify your memories) But the only evidence to support this claim is her assertion that I never slept. Not sleeping does not equate to a handful.
I feel the same way about Rowan. He is such a happy, easy baby. Well, now that he’s crawling, he’s not so easy… but I still wonder what we did to deserve him. We both have some terrible parenting Karma coming our way..
Well this is encouraging! My mother always tells me I was an impossible baby and will end up having one just like I was. Perhaps there’s hope for me and Adam yet. 🙂
I know it probably feels like you’ve been at the hospital forever, but it’s really incredible how far little Gideon’s come. I know feeding your baby and falling asleep with him is totally mundane, but it’s so good to hear that you can do these things with Gideon now. It’s fantastic. Congratulations!
What a beautiful report! We will be praising God in the old church in MD. Reis was a bit mischievous–fact; but that’s just something to look forward to…. You guys keep doing the great job you’ve begun. Gideon will make you very proud; it will be worth all the trials. Love to all; covering you with prayer.
I’m hanging out with my new niece Gwen – same age as Gideon – and babies are such a sweet armful. I’m thrilled you’re getting a chance to snuggle yours.