Two things have happened to me that have NEVER happened EVER in my entire life time:
1) I am now so, SO, SO tired I fall asleep sitting up at the computer or in the car and I don't even realize I've fallen asleep until my arm falls out from under me. Thanks four weeks of hospital bedrest. So. Restful.
2) Sleep right through an alarm. Don't even know it went off until I see it on my phone in the morning.
Luckily in the weeks to follow, I was able to catch back up on some sleep before bringing Gavin home. That was the only good thing about being in the hospital so long!
We officially have a full name! Finally finished that paperwork the very day it was due...
WELCOME, WELCOME
GAVIN ORION CARON!
Even though Gavin was born at 33 +2, there wasn't too much to be worried about after the doctors/nurses sated themselves with a battery of tests and roping him into a bunch of support machinery. He only wore his CPAP (heavy duty breathing machinery) for 2 days. Most 33 weekers spend a lot more time in these as breathing is usually the main concern this early in gestation. I breed robust creatures. *Applause* By the end of week 33/beginning week 34 he was taken off all the equipment save a feeding tube. It's been hard going back and forth between home and the hospital. Jaxen needs me. Gavin needs me. How am I supposed to split my time effectively? At this point Gavin still sleeps a lot (really hope he continues to be a great sleeper when we go home) so I'm hoping that excuses some of my absence. I've been shooting for an overnight every other day.
One thing I've been really struggling with is my milk supply. It was barely there for about 2 weeks post surgery. I have postulated that this may be largely due to premature birth, birth by unnatural means (c-section), under eating, drugs, extra energy devoted to healing and stress on my body from a combination of everything. I started some acupuncture week 34 to help with all of these things. So far, so good. Even though we've been working on breast feeding since he came out (because he's a real rooter...you can't even deny this kid) it hasn't been until this past week (35) that he's gotten a solid latch and several successful 6mL-12mL feedings. It's hard work and I don't often get more than 5-10minutes at a time out of him but that's typical of kids his age. Since I'm with him every other night I try to be there for the 5pm, 8pm...get some sleep (but wake up to pump at 2am) then again at 5am and 8am feedings. Some days I can stay later and get the 11am in but most I have to get back for Jaxen. Ben's been doing his best to be there for us but it's been hard and his vacation time is ticking away. By the time we bring Gavin home he may not have much left.
By the time week 36 rolled around I was starting to get ancy and emotional about getting Gavin home. It's a similar feeling I had with Jaxen (but that came on day three instead of week three of our hospital stay.) My instinct says he's ready. Unfortunately the numbers don't yet. I am feeling my best yet this week and have even taken up walking again; a few days with Jaxen and a few days with the dog. The dog walks have left me a little sore but I've been a little sore anyways now that I'm completely off my pain meds. They had to go, the side effects were starting to outweigh the benefits.
It's week 37(+4) and WE ARE GOING HOME!!!!!! YES!!!!!! I knew he was close. I juuuuust knew it. Week 37 began with a bang as far as feeding and alert time went. All off a sudden I had a 15min per side nurser instead of sleepy 5 minute one sided nurser. All of a sudden he spent three hours between feedings perfectly awake and alert. He passed the room air challenge with flying O2s. The car seat challenge was again an issue and we went home on O2s but only use them in the car seat.
OCT 7th 2015
BABY GAVIN CAME HOME!
Yay home! (Booo...help-less, sleepless nights...)
In case you missed it...here are my trials and tribulations during my extended hospital stay.
