Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Stella's First Week Home

I can't believe it's already been one week since we brought our beautiful daughter home. We have had so much fun with her and it's definitely been an adjustment. Stella did have some jaundice when we brought her home and so we've been to the doctor every day since we've been home to test her levels. She was at an 11 when we left the hospital on Thursday then at our doctor's appt the next day her levels went up to 14 so we had to have her under the bili lights, which they delivered to our house. Also at our doctor's appt her weight went down to 7 lbs, so she had lost 12 oz and was dehydrated. We had to add 2 oz of formula after every feeding to help her gain weight and get her to have more wet and stool diapers. The doctor's appt was very emotional for me because I felt like it was my fault she wasn't getting enough to eat and learning what jaundice can do if it doesn't get cleared up scared me! I started crying in the doctor's office but she assured me that I wasn't doing anything wrong and her levels weren't dangerous to where she'd have to be admitted to the hospital. We also went to a lactation specialist after our appt and that made me feel much better. My milk came in two days after and Stella has been eating so well ever since. Our last bili check appt was this past Monday and her levels are down to 10...probably lower now, and she weighed 7 lbs 13 oz...1 oz over her birth weight. We were so thrilled! She's had plenty of wet and stool diapers since my milk has come in...I never thought I'd be so excited to see a poopy diaper! LOL
Stella also got her first sponge bath...she hated it! She doesn't like to be naked or cold, which is understandable. Stella is a really good baby, she only cries when she's hungry and gets her diaper changed. She just loves to be bundled up. So far she's been sleeping through the night, I have to wake her up every three hours to feed her...which only ends up being twice in the night. When she is awake she is very content and loves to just look around at everything. She has the most beautiful face and I love kissing her chubby cheeks!

This week has been so great...we just love having her home! It has gone by fast so I'm just trying to take it all in and enjoy every waking moment with her.

3 comments:

Shelley said...

Congratulations! The first week is always the hardest . . so that's great that things are going so well. Good luck and keep enjoying every moment!

The Goodrich's said...

She is beautiful Mandy! Congrats! Hang in there, the first 2 weeks with the baby are by far the hardest part (pregnancy and labor included). You are doing wonderful and it should only get easier!

Elise&Mike said...

Enjoy every minute! They are only that little for a short time and before you know it she will be walking. :)

Love the celery picture. haha I had to double take on that one.