Finally Home

It's been a while. It's now June and I haven't updated this blog since Mother's Day. I will provide updates.

• May 14- After several denials for Private Duty Nursing (24 hr. care) from my insurance company, they finally gave in. They allowed for Caleb to have 24 hr. nursing care for a duration of two weeks only.
  
• May 14-May 28- We had two nurses daily to assist us in caring for Caleb. As we had expected his care involves constant supervision. Paul and I were able to sleep while nurses were here.
  
• May 18- Caleb had his first appointment with his pediatrician. He weighed 17.2 lbs.
  
• May 27- Caleb returned to his pedi and weighed in at 18.6 lbs-- what a gain in a week! And he's only 4 months.
• May 28- Caleb, his nurse, Paul, and I took him to his surgeon to change out the G Button. He also went on his first excursion. We ate lunch at a Chinese Restaurant. Then we went to the Outlet Mall. Was that an experience! We brought so many medical equipments with us. We've decided we're not going anywhere unless it's for medical reasons.

We pretty much kept the NICU schedule. I don't see a reason in changing it- life is so much easier when it's on schedule. Only thing we revised is a morning bath or bed/sponge bath and oral care. So yes, he gets 2 baths daily.

Caleb is so accustomed to his routine as well. He's improved so much during the most difficult part of the day--the trach care. We do this twice daily. During the procedure, he mostly just lays there in a hyperextended position and sucks on his pacifier. He doesn't even get restrained anymore.

His room is now organized. All medical supplies and machines are put away. We joke about having a NICU room in the house- it resembles one. Since we no longer have nursing care overnight, we moved Caleb in our room. We're all used to the various noises his machines make.
Caleb tends to sleep most of the day. But when he is awake, he is alert, kicking, and playing around. Oh another thing, he was spoiled by his wonderful home health nurses. They held him most of the time. So now... he loves to be held. Sometimes, can't even put him down.

Caleb demonstrates head control and touches my face and will play with rattles now. He smiles quite a bit as well. Because of his trach, he's muted. So we can't hear him giggle, coo, or cry. As a mother, I feel I'm deprived of hearing my baby's talk/sounds. This also means that it's difficult to sleep . Because my Caleb doesn't cry audibly, Paul and I fear sleeping too soundly. So our solution you ask? Well one of us is awake, while the other sleeps. This translates in walking zombies.

But at least we're home.