The Many Faces of Ben {and an update}

Mr. Benjammin' (get it, Been-Jammin'?) you've had a rough go at it your first two weeks of life. After we came home on Wednesday, the 20th, we thought everything was going well. You seemed to finally take to nursing, you were using the bathroom normally, and even sleeping! However, Thursday, things started to change. Daddy mentioned you seemed to be more yellow than you were (I see you everyday, so you looked the same to me). Thursday was also the last day you pooped until Sunday night/Monday morning. Monday, October 25th, you had your first week check-up. Dr. P. was also concerned about weight loss (you dropped from 7lbs on the 20th to 6lbs 9oz at the appt)your coloring and the fact that dirty diapers weren't your forte.

After some blood work, the decision was made to admit you (and I) into the hospital for the night, for some hard-core bili blanket time. You slept in a little box with lights all in it to get your biliruben numbers down. Good thing is that it worked! With the help of an occupational therapist and many different nurses, we learned that you had a weak suck, which was why you weren't transferring enough milk to get rid of the jaundice on your own. Mommy had to adjust her ways of feeding you, with the help of Miss Pump in Style and Dr. Brown's Preemie Bottle, and now you are 15 days old and growing like crazy. Your bathroom issues are all taken care of (boy are they!), and as of yesterday at your 2 week check-up, you got back up to 7lbs (and have grown 1/2 an inch to 21.75inches!) I predict you'll be at birth weight by Friday, with the way you are chowing down. I put you in a 0-3 month onesie today, just to see how it fit. You are no where near filling it out, but it fits you perfectly in the arms. You are long and lean, little man.

You have been more alert this week, giving me little smiles here and there. Why, just today, you made a little happy "agoo" sound. You are learning how to be a tough guy with your big sister around. Just know that she means well, she just doesn't quite know her own strength yet. She wants to help give you bottles and your paci, even if it is a little rough and the bottle is empty. I suspect we'll have to keep an eye on her or you'll have your first cracker by 1 month old! :)

Look how strong you are!

Funny faces








We love you, Benny-Wenny Boo-boo, boo-boo-boo (and your many nicknames, too! 2 pts for who can guess where this one came from.)