Xavier's First Day Home
Greeting to you all.
As new parents on our first night and day of full-time parenting duty, sleep was a luxury for all of us. Xavier slept well in his bassinet while I did laundry and Rebecca took a cat nap on the couch. It wasn't until 3:00 AM that Xavier decided to get fussy. Of course, not until after Rebecca came upstairs to spell me and let me get some sleep. I finished feeding him, put him to bed, kissed my wife then turned in.
We tried hooking Xavier up to his pulse ox monitor, but after many attempts, we decided not tonight, we're too tired.
After a few hours sleep on Sunday, I got up and spelled Rebecca, letting her catch about four hours. Xavier and I retired to the basement where he slept much of the day while daddy puttered about the house.
Stacey and Donna, two of Xavier's nurses from the NICU called and spoke to Rebecca. They wanted to know how we did the first night, how Xavier did and did we have any questions. Once again, University Hospital demonstrates its exemplary care to its patients and patient families. We did have questions!
Xavier got to spend several hours in his crib this afternoon. He even watched the mobile for a while.
I finally got around to assembling Xavier's stroller. It lay unassembled in the nursery near the changing table. This afternoon, during a momentary lapse of coverage, Xavier shot a stream which, among other items, hit his stroller. I figured, since he marked it as his, I might as well bring it on-line!
The evening and night went similar to last night, except tonight we managed to figure out the pulse ox. Xavier is not sleeping on his NICU schedule. We were all hyped up that he would be well-trained on his sleeping and feeding schedules: every four hours. Well, not so much, at least so far.
We think it is because so many things are different. It's darker than he is used to (we've noticed when we turn on his bassinet light he clams down). It's quieter. He is handled by fewer people. The smells are different (it smells like Simulac everywhere now). The feel of his beds are different. Xavier is having to relearn some things. Hopefully he will acclimate quickly.
Always, thank you for your prayers and support.
