Things around here are a little different and crazy at the moment (as I suppose can be expected).

I was discharged from the hospital yesterday. Spencer, on the other hand, is still in the NICU. His breathing has improved since he was born, but he still hasn’t figured out how to coordinate eating, breathing, and swallowing combined. He finally gained weight today so his eating is improving some, but he really wears himself out when he eats and often doesn’t have enough energy to adequately eat at the next feeding. At the moment they are tube feeding him at every other feeding and letting him reserve his energy for when he does breast/bottle feed. They also have him on oxygen so he has one less thing to worry about when he eats. He seems to be improving a little bit each day, but it looks like it may still be a few days before he gets to come home to us.

Life at home is a little bit odd without him here, but somewhat normal in that we were accustomed to it being just the 3 of us. It really is a weird reality. We are all very anxious to have him come home with us and we’re hopeful that he’ll be able to before Christmas. In the meantime we try to visit the hospital several times a day to feed and visit him. Its hard, but we are grateful that we live so close. Little Bridget is handling things pretty well, but she is not at all impressed that her only contact with her little brother has been through 2″ glass. She is very anxious to be able to hold and kiss him.

The recovery from this c-section has been significantly easier than it was with Bridget. I am very glad that I skipped the hours of pushing prior to surgery this time. Although I still have a fair amount of pain, getting around has been much easier. Walking, laughing, coughing, and sneezing don’t hurt as badly as they did the first time around. I still move pretty slowly and struggle to bend down to get things. I can’t lift much of anything, or vacuum, or drive my car (its a stick). And I’m still on all kinds of pain medications. But comparatively… much easier. Its also a bit more interesting to be at home recovering without also trying to care for a newborn. That part was unexpected, and it definitely has its ups and downs. I think it will be interesting to finally bring him home and not have to worry as much about recovering at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, I’d bring him home this second if I could. The stress and difficulty of caring for both of us would be worth it.

At any rate, things over all are looking up for us. Yes, Spencer is in the NICU, but the things he is struggling to overcome are minor compared to what they could have been. We’d rather he not be there, but he is being well taken care of and the effects of his slight prematurity will be short lived – he shouldn’t have any long term issues as a result. For that we are grateful.

At any rate, here are some more pictures of our new little man and his entrance into this world…

Saturday, December 13th
In the elevator heading up to Labor and Delivery.

During the c-section. I’ll spare you the bloody cut open abdomen pictures.

Here he is! Born just minutes earlier.

Sunday, December 14th
In the NICU, attached to high pressure oxygen. Look how small he is compared to Grandpa Ernstrom’s hand.

Later that night…
Tiny toes.

They lowered his oxygen. Here you can also see the IV in his hand and a vent (tube) in his mouth.

We celebrated Spencer’s birthday that night. He didn’t get to come. And he didn’t get any cake.

Monday, December 15th
Off the oxygen! They moved the IV to his head… apparently its more comfortable that way.

Dave and I got to hold him finally! Prior to now we’d only held him briefly the night he was born.

Tuesday, December 16th
Bridget and her little brother. He got to come to the window when they disconnected the oxygen. She still hasn’t been able to touch him though.

No more IV. Just the feeding tube left…

I haven’t taken any additional pictures since Tuesday. But since then, they added back the oxygen (no more trips to the window 🙁 ) and removed the heating lamps. He’s doing well maintaining his temperature… now we just need to get him eating well.

I’m sure I’ll post another update soon. Wish us luck!

Oh… On another only somewhat related note: Did I lend any of you my breast pump?? I have vague memories of lending it to someone, but I can’t remember who. And neither Dave or I can find it anywhere. Random, I know… but its lost… and I’d really like to find it. Thanks!!