As I mentioned in the last post, we were able to bring Spencer home from the hospital a couple of days before Christmas.
He had spent 9 total days in the NICU. During which time Bridget was unable to hold him, and only rarely got to see him through the glass window. It was hard for her to see Dave and I go visit him but be unable to go herself. She threw a couple of fits and even had an accident in her pants as a result of that stress.
The night we brought him home was particularly exciting for her and she loved to be able to touch him, hold him, and kiss him. When anyone would ask her if she is a big sister or if that is her little brother she’d reply with comments like “Yea. I’m the biggest sister you’ve ever seen!” Since he’s been home she’s been incredibly loving and helpful. She enjoys bringing him his pacifier when he cries or handing me a diaper so I can change him. We are grateful that she hasn’t seemed too resentful or regressed as a result of having to share her little throne.
She has, on occasion, told us that she is a baby too and that she needs a pacifier and a diaper… but a quick reminder that babies have to take lots of naps and can’t eat treats brings her back to being content with her big girl status.
Spencer is still on oxygen, but shouldn’t be more than a couple of days longer. We have been testing his levels on and off of the oxygen and expect that he’ll be done any day now. The monitor that we had was a bit unreliable so we traded it out for another – hopefully the new one will prove to have more accurate results. He had his 2 week appointment yesterday morning and he is doing well… the doctor says that he is gaining weight and that his lungs sound good. We are grateful for positive news.
Yeah! We’ve been wondering how you guys are doing. Glad he’s doing well.
The video doesn’t work on my computer. Is it just me?
Hey guys, been a while since I’ve posted. Glad to hear everything’s going well with the new kid!
And if that’s a video clip at the end, no, mine’s not working either.
The video works fine for me. Not sure why its misbehaving for you two.
Its an MPEG-4 and requires the latest QuickTime if that makes any difference. Let me know if you get it working.
Also, for what its worth, here is a direct link to the video file:
https://blog.ernstrom.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12.30_HoldSpencer.mp4
Yaa! I’m glad to hear the good news. I thought it was so funny that she changed her mind about needing a diaper and pacifier with the reminder of needing naps and no candy he he.
So cute!!! I’m glad that Bridget finally gets to hold him and gets to act like a big sister. He is so tiny and cute! He make oxygen look good!!! We have a little present for Spencer (and Bridget). I will call you to find out when a good time to bring it by is! I’m thrilled to hear he is doing well and that Bridget hasn’t regressed too much!!!
She’s a great big sister! He’s so precious. I’m glad Bridget was so excited to hold him. Soon you’ll have a babysitter.
I love how she was giving him little kisses on his hands in the video…such an adorable pair!
I’m so glad Spencer’s home and doing so well. Bridget is so cute with him – I loved the part where she was kissing him too!