Home for the Holidays

Here are pics from the day Carter came home (12/10/10).

Adjusting

Now that I am out of the hospital and Ari's dad has arrived to help us out, since I am still limited on what I can do after the c-section, we are getting into a routine... sort of. Ari and I are finding it much more challenging to have a NICU baby the second time around because Claire certainly needs our time and attention. When she was born, we lived at the NICU, however this time around we are in the NICU while she is at daycare or after she goes to bed. I have to say that being away from Carter so much has been emotionally draining on me.
Despite our best efforts to preserve Claire's routine, she has noticed the change as well. She is very emotional. For instance, last night she cried because she didn't like trying on her new snow boots and then cried for a good five minutes during dinner that she wanted them back on. Certainly, she is displaying some 2 year-old behavior but I think the last weeks events have taken a toll. Regardless, there is still a lot of laughter and playing at our house. In the picture above, she was hamming it up for Opa. After he took every picture, she wanted to see it.
Medically, our guy is doing great. I am sure you can tell he is a bit jaundiced, though nothing serious. He is on a heart monitor, but no pulse ox, and the only tube he has is his NG for eating. They have already started him to eat by mouth. He takes about 30% of his meals by mouth and the rest goes down the tube. He is also allowed to nurse twice a day which I think is good for both of us.
So now it is a waiting game. Carter has to prove that he can eat 100% of his milk by mouth and continue to gain weight. Hopefully, he will be home well before Christmas.