Day #3: A case of the grumpies!

Today was a hard day for baby Joel. When we got there, the new shift nurse told us that he had done well during the night but that they had to change the IV in his head because it failed to work (antibiotic infusions). They had to put it in his hand. It was the most awful thing to see that teeny tiny little hand all poked and taped up. He really moves his hands around a lot (he'll probably be a thumb-sucker!) and he seemed to be really uncomfortable most of the day. He also cut back on his bottles, although the nurse said that it could be because of his discomfort. He still took them, but not quite as much and they had to feed his the rest through his feeding tube. He spent a lot of the day in his isolette because of his crankiness and the need to keep his arm/hand in one position. It was hard on Mom and Dad! At one point when Rob was out of the room I was watching the nurse assess him and his hand IV blew out. There was blood EVERYWHERE....I did not do well with that at all. He was a trooper though. The nurses had to try and get another IV going. They tried his head again but ultimately ended up poking him 6 times before putting it back in his other hand. They had me leave the room, but I was almost in tears right outside the door just knowing what they were doing. Joel only cried out once and was really cooperative with them. We tried the "chest to chest" stuff again today, but he was not in the mood and cried really hard. We think it was because there was no comfortable position for his arm. He was much happier when we just wrapped him in his soft blanket and rocked him. He did eat better for us than the nurse, but didn't finish the bottles without his feeding tube. We saw the doctor briefly today. He says that Joel is doing very well, and suggested that he might only have to stay another week instead of two! We aren't counting on that, of course, but it does sound encouraging! All he needs to do is start eating better and gain some weight. His temperature was a little lower today than they like, but he is still learning to maintain it on his own. Mom and Dad really love cuddling him to bring that temperature up! Some good news is that his last antibiotic infusion will be at 2:00am and then they will take the IV out. So when we get there tomorrow he will have no IV! YEAH!!!! It is amazing to us that a little over a week ago we knew nothing about all this, and now we are fluent in CCs and NG tubes and are fairly skilled at changing a nasty diaper through the two holes in the isolette while holding down his arm with the IV in it! Poor baby! Hopefully tomorrow he will be in a much better mood since he will be able to move his hands and not have needles sticking in him! Also, a MAJOR relief to us is that we did talk to Courtney today and her mother seems to be much more accepting of the situation and actually wants to meet with us to talk to us and give us some gifts she bought for him. I started out really hating her for trying to cause problems, but I love him so much after three days that I can't imagine how it must feel to know he is going to be adopted and move away. We are meeting with Courtney and her mother Saturday sometime at the hospital. Prayers for all of us that it goes well. I think it will be fine. Also, we are moving to the Ronald McDonald house tomorrow. The hotel we are at now is $99/night and the Ronald McDonald house is much more economical. Rob is actually going home tomorrow afternoon and taking Bailey with him. (Thanks Abel for coming to get him!) She has spent way too much time in the hotel room alone, and that is one last thing to worry about. I will miss her like crazy, but it is better than having to rush back to the hotel to make sure she isn't misbehaving or peeing on the floor. Our neighbors Marty and Sue are going to watch her for a while (thanks guys!). Rob is going to take care of some banking, check on the house, and do some errands. He is driving himself back here sometime Thursday. He has to get back as soon as possible because the occupational therapist was in today and wants to teach us how to do a preemie massage! Joel's roommate's parents did one today on him and it really seemed to relax him and help his muscles relax. Fun!! More updates tomorrow.....Good night all!