ROCKY WEEK 2

Saturday:
Dave dropped me off at the hospital at 7a.m. and then he took the boys to hike the Y. They had so much fun and Lincoln did the entire hike all by himself! Oliver got to ride in Dave's new hiking backpack and enjoyed it that way.

I got to spend some good quality time holding Rocky. He is doing well and not too many changes, which is nice. I just enjoyed kangaroo care with him. Later that day we went to the movies and then we had to pick up our car...so that meant that I had to drive one car! I haven't driven for about 4 months!! I was a bit nervous, but it was a good way to get back behind the wheel. I forgot to take my meds for half the day yesterday so I decided to just stop taking them, which worked out perfect. I drove to the hospital after the kids were asleep and met the lactation consultant. She wants to have Rocky start breastfeeding or at least becoming familiar with it. Babies this young don't actually have the rooting reflex so it's going to take time and practice and of course patience, but I guess after being in a hospital bed for over 10 weeks I've got the patience part down. They want me to come in for feeding times now so we can specifically practice each time. I think I'll try his 7a.m. and 10p.m. times and see how that goes.

Sunday:
This morning I got up, showered and was back at the hospital for 7:00am and he did better practicing breastfeeding, but we have a long way to go. He had his picc line taken out and they changed his bed to one that doesn't have a warmer, so I guess he graduated from one bed to the next! They said he will most likely remain in that one now til he goes home. He still is fighting the jaundice so he's still using his light pad.

I went back home and helped Dave get the boys ready for church. They left and I stayed to pump and find where all of my clothes are. I have to say I'm so used to dressing in t-shirts and comfy pants that I don't really want to wear real clothes again. I found my clothes and I met my family at church. Everyone was surprised to see me and all wanted to know how things were going. I think I purposely try to make conversations basic because I get a bit emotional talking about it all. I'm glad he's doing well and love to tell people, but I make it short so I can keep control of my tears.

Sunday night Dave got to go with me. It was a good thing because Rocky had his first real bath and I got to give it to him! They wrap him in a fleece blanket and put him in the water. He really liked it. Afterwards his hair stood up just like Oliver's. He is a perfect blend of both of his brothers.

I think tonight was the second or third time someone has mentioned my milk production being low. It was news to me because I thought I was doing great! It's pretty discouraging when the one thing I can do for my baby is the one thing I'm not doing good enough. I still don't understand because they aren't needing to supplement with anything yet. I guess I'm just going to have to work on it and try not to let it get to me or stress me out.

Monday:
I got a call from the nurse this morning just as I was getting ready to leave. She wanted to let me know that they moved Rocky to the feed and grow room of the NICU! This is a good thing because it means he is doing well enough that he gets to graduate to the less intensive room. His neighbor is definitely a little crier and he sounds like a little teradactyl. Poor little guy probably just wants to be held all the time, but I did hear them say that he might go home this week so Rocky will have a new neighbor soon.

Rocky did a good job this morning with the non-nutritive breastfeeding. He actually latched a couple of times. Baby steps! I'm getting used to my schedule and not feeling extremely tired. I wake up at 5:30a.m. to pump and then take a shower, head to the hospital for his 7:00a.m. feeding and cares. I get to change his diaper, take his temp, change some of his sensors and do mouth care. I love it! I'm with him for skin to skin and practice feeding and then I hold him for a little before I pump anotheR home. At home I spend all day with the boys while pumping every two hours! At night I head back to the hospital for 10:00pm feeding and cares. I pump before I leave and usually get home about midnight so I get right to bed and have another pump session around 2a.m. and then start it all over again! I have no free time whatsoever and I have to use every minute wisely. It's definitely worth it though because ingest to see all of my boys and give them the time that they need.

While I was there this morning another lactation consultant came to check-in with me. After hearing I was only getting about 12oz a day she recommended that I take some herbal supplements to help increase milk production. Seriously! This is so frustrating to me. I've never had a problem before and I just need some time. I checked with other preemie moms and they said that the amount I'm getting this soon is pretty good and to just keep pumping. Oh well...I know he has enough for the amounts they are giving him.

Tuesday:
Today was a bit easier to get up and make it to the hospital. Maybe my body is already adjusting to the new schedule although I feel like my muscles are pretty sore. I guess that's just part of the process after bed rest for 14 weeks.

I had lots of cuddle time with Rocky and a good pump session before I had to leave. Rocky us back in his first incubator because they changed him from the bili light pad to the overhead light. This bed has the warmer since he can't be swaddled. I asked what his levels were as of this morning and they dropped from 11 to 1! I asked her if it was a mistake because that was a really big decrease. She was wondering the same. His neck muscles are a lot better! They are actually pretty strong, he us already trying to lift his head when we hold him. Not every time, but sometimes. The doc called me later to give the daily plan and update and he said things are going really well with Rocky, but they will check levels to make sure it's right. If it is he will get to come off the photo therapy light and then will be checked again in two days to make sure levels stay down.

I got to take a nap today, which was nice! I also tried what you call a power pump session, which is pumping for 10 minutes and then stopping for 10 minutes. It's supposed to be for 70 minutes total, but I only did it for 40. It's supposed to help increase milk supply. I had a good first experience because I got double what I normally get! Ill continue to do those once a day. I know I can increase without having to take herbs. I might however try the lactation cookies! Positive thinking about increasing my supply.

Dave offered to take Rocky his milk tonight so I could get some rest, but I told him another night we could do that. We put the boys to bed and then went to the hospital. When we got there Rocky was sleeping peacefully and sucking on his pacifier. We changed him and did cares. He was off the bili light and they said his levels were a 9 not a 1. Still good enough to stop light therapy.

I held him and he practiced breastfeeding. We were really surprised when he latched on right away and started to suck! He did it a few times. When the nurse checked his feeding line she pulled up lots of milk and she said he got milk from me! Good job buddy!!!

I talked with Dave and we decided that I would take the morning off and sleep a little. I am absolutely exhausted! My body needs rest. I pumped before leaving so that when we got home around midnight I could just go to sleep. I checked with the nurse and she said that the milk I just brought tonight will get him through til tomorrow night. That made me feel great because I've been getting such a hard time about not pumping enough.

Wednesday:
I got up at 4a.m. and then at 7:15 a.m. to pump. I haven't had this much sleep in a while and it was really nice. I called in the morning to check on Rocky and they said he was doing well. I kept a lot today of how much I'm pumping and I was pleasantly surprised! My milk has really gone up in the past day or two. For the full days pumping I got about 22 oz!! I knew I could do it.

So tonight Dave and his mom went to the hospital and spent time with Rocky. Since they didn't have to plan a visit around feeding time they were able to go after dinner. I stayed home and put the boys to bed. I pumped and then went to sleep at 9:30 p.m. so I got lots of rest before having to wake at midnight and 4 a.m. Dave said Rocky is doing great and now that I got extra rest I am too! I'm not going to feel guilty about not seeing him today because I need to take care of myself so that I can take care of all my boys. I also know that he is in good hands.

Thursday:
Today I had a doc appointment in Provo in the afternoon so I planned on just going to see Rocky at after that. The doc called and said that he was doing well, no major updates or changes. They checked his jaundice levels and it went from a 9 to an 11. He doesn't want him to start light therapy yet because he wants to test him again in 48 hours and see where he's at. He let me know that levels aren't dangerous until they get to 18-20 so he is okay.

I went to my appointment and everything looked good and the doc wasn't concerned about the incision or an infection. I went to the hospital next and because I wasn't there around his feeding time the nurse was a bit hesitant to let me hold him. They don't like them to get off their schedule because they want them to grow and sleep. She let me hold him for 30 minutes and I kept him as still as possible. I love holding the little guy.

Friday:
I went to the hospital in the morning and the nurse asked if I wanted to do a test weight before he practiced breastfeeding. He didn't get any milk, but he did suck a little. Oh well, I'm sure with time he will get it. I enjoyed my morning with him and let them know that I wasn't going to be back tonight because we were going to do something with our other boys. I asked if they had enough milk to last til tomorrow because I noticed there weren't too many containers in his fridge. They said they have plenty and there is more in the freezer. Woohoo! My milk production is definitely up to a full supply, if not more. That makes me feel great. He had another amazing week!