MDB Congratulations are in order!

[_Mister Scratch]

A hearty congratulations to you, Sam!

[_Sam Harris]

Thanks, Scratch.

For those interested, I blogged about it here: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =190844333

Forgive the bad formatting.

I feel kinda guilty right now, they've taken him to be circumcised. It's routine for many, but I know it's not necessary. I'll just have to do my best to comfort him.

He's already eating me alive, he's been attached to my chest all day, but I'm not producing milk yet, so I'm gonna supplement him. He HATES having a soiled diaper, and hates for you to change it. His cry is this high pitched wail, it's more like a squeak, and you just feel so sorry for him when he's upset.

I feel so blessed that this whole ordeal with my health and carrying him despite the risk turned out so beautifully.

[_Moniker]

Sam, congratulations!!!!!!!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t894eGoymio

I am so thrilled you and your beautiful son and healthy.

[_Sam Harris]

Thanks. Though bit of a scare, he has jaundice kinda bad. Gonna be a long night. I feel like a monster about the circumcision, when they brought him back, he looked so hurt.

I have to bottle feed for now, as much as possible to try and flush out the toxins and keep him out of the NICU. Wish me luck. We're supposed to go home tomorrow...

[_Jersey Girl]

Thanks. Though bit of a scare, he has jaundice kinda bad. Gonna be a long night. I feel like a monster about the circumcision, when they brought him back, he looked so hurt.

I have to bottle feed for now, as much as possible to try and flush out the toxins and keep him out of the NICU. Wish me luck. We're supposed to go home tomorrow...

Sam,

I have to thank you for the most uplifting topic on this board to date!The jaundice is normal and can last a while. A stint in a cozy little light bed will help, don't be afraid if they suggest it and if they do, be pushy and tell them you still want to go there to feed him whether it be breast or bottle, or both.

My best advice to you right now is this. This is your one and only newborn experience with little Steven. Do whatever it is that is meaningful to you to do and advocate for your wishes. If you want to spend hours gazing at him,do it. If you want to spend hours with him skin-to-skin, do it. If you feel like singing outloud in front of god and everybody, do it. Feel like crying tears of joy and relief? Do it.

This time belongs to you. Own it!

As for your sad hurty little bottom. Two words: Sitz bath. Ahhhhh!

:-D

p.s. I will send you a secret womanly message via PM's. ;-)

[_Sam Harris]

Hey Jersey Girl,

I'm glad that I could bring something positive to the table. My life will never be the same again. I took my first sitz bath (you're right, aaahh!), and I've been blessed with cold packs for my hoohoo.

I didn't sleep last night. I cried a lot, prayed a bit, and sang to him. He actually listened to me sing as I was changing him (he was fussing), which choked me up. Steve is staying with me in the hospital tonight. If they keep him, I may stay on one more night.

Luckily we're only ten minutes from the hospital, so if he does have to stay, I'll go home and do my best to tidy up and wait for them to let him go. I noticed in watching some of the baby-related shows on TLC, a lot of babies have been getting jaundice. So I'm gonna try my best to be optimistic.

Steve and I have definitely reached a higher level in our relationship, I wrote him an email last night and told him that we've already been through three out of four of the things you say in a traditional wedding vow, for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health...I told him, now all we have to do is manage the "as long as we both shall live" part.

Steve is holding him now, it's nice that he can finally spend some one-on-one time with him. Little Steve always jumped in the womb at the sound of his voice, now he's bonding with Daddy in a new way.

I'm so happy.

[_Jersey Girl]

Sam,

Do what you feel is best and meaningful to you as a mother and to both of you as a new family, and don't be shy about it! OMG, did you see that image that Moniker posted for you? You should get a nurse to take one like that for you all.

I'm so happy.

And that's as it should be!

\o/\o/\o/

[_Yoda]

Breast feeding is actually the best thing for a jaundice baby...even if your milk really hasn't come in yet. That's probably why he was naturally wanting to nurse all night.

I had the same issues with my son, Wesley. He was jaundiced. His bilirubin level still holds the high record at the hospital here. LOL

I was able to stay in the room with him while they were doing the light treatment. They actually encouraged it. I don't think they will send you home without him, particularly if you are trying to nurse. I would insist to stay.

You guys will be in my prayers.

[_Sam Harris]

Well...

It seems that we're going home today. His jaundice is decreased. He was hungrier than normal for his age, which is why the pediatrician said to bottle feed for now. I will transition back to breast, and probably will start off pumping into a bottle for now. He goes through about an ounce every two to three hours. I plan to paint a plate commemorating his birth, and put his hand and foot prints on it.

Since I can't drive for two weeks, I probably won't be online for that long, if longer. Thank you to ALL of you for your prayers, support, well wishes. Thanks to the female advice. Steve thanks you too.

I feel so blessed. Even though the doctors and Steve kept reassuring me, I deep inside kept bracing myself to lose him. I'd have lost my mind, but each time I went for an exam, I held my breath in case they couldn't find that heartbeat. But as time passed and he got bigger (and completely took over my body), the movement of him brought comfort...except when he was rubbing his butt against my lowest right rib.

So I guess it really is adieu for now. See you on the up and up!

-Sam

[_TAK]

Congrats!