Day 10 - August 23, 2014
When your preemie is in an isolette and holding her is still limited to once a day (if at all), your opportunities to "parent" come once every three hours. You have the chance at these increments to scrub your arms and hands raw, bathe yourself head to toe in alcohol sanitizer, and participate in your baby's care. Care consists of a diaper change, a temperature check, repositioning and a feeding. You have to do this very awkwardly through the doors on the side of the isolette. If you can master these skills, you can change a diaper in any scenario.
LoLa's nurse thinks LoLa has reflux. She regurgitates a lot and shows signs of discomfort when she does. (She will suffer from reflux for almost a year, eventually vomiting blood and getting a barium swallow test at CHOP when she's 9 months old before getting on the right medication to stop her stomach from making so much acid.)
LoLa's Uncle Chris, Aunt Ariana and cousin Layla come and visit today. Layla is two days older than LoLa. Only she weighs like, ten pounds and has been home with her family for almost a week now. I am worried about seeing her. I'm worried I'll lose it when I hold her. When I think about the fact that she's home with her family and sleeping in her crib and nursing from her mama...
Surprisingly, it's okay. I felt great holding that sweet girl. It was a relief and a welcome distraction.