December 19th: Coming Home
We spent most of the day at the hospital. Maia and I are both doing really well, so we got to go home! The morning was nice and quiet, mostly just Eric and me taking turns snuggling Maia. Eric changed all the diapers and I worked on feeding her. During the night it seemed like she was having trouble latching. Well, around 6am she proved she was just too tired to eat during the night! She latched like a champ and ate once an hour from 6 to 9. She had to make one long visit to the nursery for her labs and hearing test. Her bilirubin is a little high, but Dr. Cyrus wasn't worried and is just having us come in Friday to follow up. Everyone at the hospital was wonderfully helpful, and of course we are just thrilled with our little girl! Eric mostly remembers that everyone was talking about me being all smiles and so happy. I'm lucky to have an easy recovery so I can just enjoy the baby. We picked up Donovan and Serenity from Dad's on the way home. They had a great time with Dad, and he made them lots of oatmeal and cinnamon toast. They were very happy to see the baby! Serenity peeked into the car seat cover and said "Welcome to the family sweet baby."
When we got home both kids got the opportunity to hold the baby and snuggle her a bit. Then Mama took her to the blue chair to nurse. That's when Eric came up with the snuggle bubble. Serenity was balancing on the edge of the blue chair, which is a pretty normal activity, but not a good idea with a new baby in Mama's arms. So Eric said all gymnastics need to take place at least two giant steps from Maia. Donovan and Serenity have been practicing the bubble since then, and Serenity explained it to Mike and Kelly at length when they came to visit us. She also told them that it's ok if the baby fusses when you hold her, since that's the only way she can talk. (When we gave Maia to Serenity the first time, we forgot to explain this again like we did when Donovan was born. She was only three after all so she didn't remember. She got a look on her face like, "What happened? I didn't do anything?" And sort of tried to pull her hands back from the baby. But she wanted her back right away once she knew it was all right." Serenity's Maia Song: (she made this up and sang it to Maia while she was nursing)
Maia, Maia, Maia Marie,
Won't you look at me? Maia, Maia, Maia Marie,
I'd like for you to see!
Maia, Maia, Maia Marie,
Would you like this worm? Maia, Maia, Maia Marie,
You can make it squirm!
Maia, Maia, Maia Marie,
Won't you look at us? Maia, Maia, Maia Marie,
Please don't fuss.
Donovan held the baby for a bit too, and is always very gentle with touches and pats. He says she's cute and grins =) He told Kelly that he is a big brother!
