A Reluctant Homecoming

This is a sign that you don't want on your hospital room.

About 14 hours after Jonathan was born, the nurses noticed some irregular breathing and whisked him away to the Special Care Nursery. He appears to have an inflammation in his lungs, causing periods of rapid breathing and is currently being treated with 7-day course of IV antibiotics.

I came home yesterday afternoon. It was absolutely wonderful to breathe fresh air after 72 hours inside the hospital and great to see the boys in our house, but it was the saddest feeling to leave empty-handed. The neonatologist and neonatal nurse praticitioner assured me that the first time would be the hardest.

I think they were right.

We returned last night to deliver some milk. Eating was too much work for him and the nurses had opted to feed him with a tube. He was a pitiful sight, but we were so encouraged by the nurses who are taking such good care of him.

The rest was good for him. When we returned this morning, he looked so much better, and even gave me a bit of a smile. He was back to eating from a bottle.

He has to stop often to burp and breathe, but it gives us a chance to check out those adorable cheeks.

And here is a shot of his hair....I can't believe I finally have a baby with hair. I hope it lasts.

While we never imagined any of this happening, we are so thankful for the many nurses and doctors who have surrounded us during the past few days, and we trust that the Great Physician will heal our "little" guy so he can come home.