Baby News 2004

2005 Baby News.

Arrival date - December 18, 2004, 10:41 PM
Due date - March 1, 2005
Weight: 3 lb, 5 oz
Name: William Stuart
Hospital: St. Joseph Mercy, Ann Arbor

Dec 30 - Baby's first bath, and he didn't like it at all.

Dec 29 - the intravenous line has been disconnected, and he is now getting all his food by mouth. It is run in through a narrow tube into his stomach, using gravity rather than any effort on his part.

Dec 27 - Feeding is going well, and he is starting to gain weight. William is also getting an intravenous infusion of caffeine to help with his breathing.

Dec 26 - He made a determined and successful attempt to pull out his nasal cannula, and cried when it was pushed back in.

Dec 25 - Baby's first Christmas. Christmas lights include a bright green light to help break down red blood cells.

Dec 22 - The baby is receiving Kangaroo Care, developed by Dr. Bruce Kangaroo of the University of Adeleide. He lies against his mother's skin, which is very relaxing (for everyone).

Dec 21 - Anne changed his diaper (the smallest one you've ever seen) for the first time.

PHOTO - ART CLARK PHOTOGRAPHIC

Dec 20 - The large breathing tube (CPAP) has been removed. The baby has his father's feet and his grandmother's nasal cannula.

Dec 19 - Described as "feisty" by the NICU staff, which sounds like good news. He is flailing around, trying to shake off the impressive array of wires, sensors, intravenous drips, and breathing tube.

Anne was allowed to hold the baby - a good sign.

It's not as alarming as it looks. Most of the wires etc. are for monitoring. Also, he is moving around well and just about breathing on his own.

Dec 18 - Finally, the baby gets its way and emerges into the world. There was no stopping him this time. He was breathing on his own, but struggling a bit, so needed help. We were warned he would be whisked away to the St. Joseph Mercy Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) immediately after birth, but in the event he was healthy enought to be brought over to Anne for a moment. He cried when he was born, to us a good sign, but apparently a preemie (premature baby) is often quite noisy - they have good grounds for complaint.

Later, we saw him in the NICU. He was looking worryingly small, but reassuringly pink and active.

Dec 15 - We were fooled. The baby was saving energy for another escape attempt. Another trip to the hospital to try to keep him in longer. More magnesium sulfate.

Dec 14 - Anne is released from hospital, as the baby is apparently no longer trying to escape. We start setting up the house for (hopefully) a period of prolonged bed-rest.

Dec 12 - In hindsight, maybe the pressing down of yesterday was the onset of labor. The baby made a serious effort to be born today, but was foiled by hospitalization, bed rest, and magnesium sulfate.

Dec 11 - the baby is specializing in pressing on nerves. Anne harnesses the amazing power of gravity to move him to a better location, but this can involve contorted positions.

Dec 5 - Anne can no longer see her feet when standing up.

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