The First Night Home and Day #3

We set up Gray's pack-n-play in our room, and last night the three of us had our first night together at home. We dressed him in his familiar hospital shirt and some high socks like his daddy used to wear in high school. He ate around 10:45 last night, and then we tucked him in tight and laid down.

Heather and I worked out a pretty good routine. He was laying on my side of the bed, so when it was time to eat or he was fussy, I woke up and checked him out. When it was time to nurse, I would get him up and check or change his diaper. This would get him good and awake and ready to chow down. The first time he got up was around 1:30 in the morning. I was blown away by this first time experience. By the time we got him on the changing table, he was wide awake. He had a dirty diaper, and for the first time in his life, he didn't make a peep while I wiped and changed him. He was a trooper. He ate fine and slept for another 3 hours. Every other feeding went almost like that with a little more fussing during changing, but again, Graylon is what I call a quick fixer. When he cries, all you gotta do is fix it, and he settles right down. He is awesome.

This morning we had to go back to the hospital because he left the hospital a little jaundice. Gray had to suffer through another heel prick, and he cried a little, but Mommy got face to face with him and kept him calm. He once again quieted right down, and the nurse got her blood sample. The entire process was very quick. We then had a couple hours before his appointment with the pediatrician. So we went to the park to try and nurse him. He wanted no part of it. He was only interested in sleeping. A very normal side effect from giving blood earlier in the day. About an hour later he didn't want to eat again. Mommy was concerned, but at least we were headed to the doctor anyway, so we would get the appropriate attention.

At the doctor's office we were informed that his lab results still showed a somewhat high level of jaundice. Nothing to get too worried about, but we'll have to go back to the hospital probably each of the next two days to get more lab work done. Our doctor told us to avoid breast milk and try formula for the next 24 hours. Mommy should still pump to keep the milk coming, and Gray should drink the formula to keep his energy and weight up. He weighed 7 lbs 5 oz at birth...7 lbs 1 oz when we left the hospital...and...6 lbs 10 oz when we left the doctor today. The weight loss is perfectly normal, but we are ready to pack some "L" "B" 's back on him. Once we got home, Gray sucked down 2 ounces of formula in less than 10 minutes and has been asleep ever since. I have a feeling that there will be even more action through the night tonight. Wish us luck!

Enjoy these pictures from last night before bed, today before the doctor, and then back home this afternoon. We'll check back with everyone soon.