I'm going to spend a bit of time playing catch-up.  One project that I'm working on is an album for Bennett with a photo each day, as well as a very short write-up of what happened that day-- either what we did, new accomplishments, etc.  So, over the next few weeks I hope to get that same info posted here to the blog.  I'll probably post it as a weekly post and I'll post them by the date of that week.  So you may need to do some scrolling to see all of the posts from the past 12 weeks.  Yikes, my boy is 12 weeks old already!

Another update

We're all home again!  Bennett's appetite is back, and his blood is now testing normal, so we were allowed to bring him home.  I went to join Daddy and Bennett after work today, and we headed home around 9:30pm.

Not the update you were all looking for...

Unfortunately we are back at Children's.  I guess you could say it all started Thursday night/ Friday morning.  Five of Bennett's diapers had blood in them.  Not really a lot of blood, but enough to be a concern.  I called the pediatrician and he was able to see us right before lunchtime.  They took a urine sample, which was interesting, and sent us off to have blood drawn for further labwork.   Rather than putting Bennett through a catheter, they attached a little collection bag to him, and then we waited.  I think it took at least half an hour for him to give a sample.  :)  We went to a more local branch of Children's for the blood work.  Since it's right down the road from where Chris works, he was able to join us.  It took over an hour and a half (and three techs) to find a vein and get a blood sample.

I think Friday night there were one or two diapers that had some blood, but that was it.  Overall, we weren't very concerned.  However, he was also being a lot fussier than usual, especially at night.  And both Saturday and Sunday nights there were points where Bennett woke up screaming and he felt very warm.  We took his temperature and it was relatively normal, so we removed a layer of clothing and he would calm down.

Then Monday I went back to work.  Chris was going to stay home for the next two weeks, then we would go to Georgia for a week, and then in January Bennett would start daycare.  Bennett's morning started off well.  Chris changed a couple of poopy diapers (normally he only goes once eveyr couple of days), they had some good non-fussy tummy time, and Bennett was napping in his molding cup.  (More on this another time, but it's something he's supposed to sleep in to fix a flat spot on his head.  He hates it.)  Everything was looking great.  And then Chris thought Bennett felt warm.  102 degree temperature and a call to the pediatrician.  They were out on lunch.

When they called back, his temperature had gone down, but they still thought it best for him to go in.  So Chris brought him to the pediatrician.  As an aside, we love this doctor.  When he went in they took his temperature again and it was still normal.  He looked  up the results of the blood test and they were normal.  For some reason the urine sample had never been tested, but they quickly did that and it showed that Bennett has a urinary tract infection.  Given Bennett's history, the pediatrician felt it best for him to go to the ER at Children's.

Chris called me as he drove home to get a couple of bottles as well as clothes and toiletries for an overnight stay.  I finished up my first day back work and met them at the ER.  They got there around 6pm.  Bennett had lots of tests.  A chest x-ray, EKG, a lumbar puncture, catheter, and an IV (which included being stuck 3 times).  Lots of screaming!  Also, when he first got there he didn't have a temperature, but later in the evening he was up to 104.6.  A dose of Tylenol brought the fever down and after the preliminary lab results came back, they started him on antibiotics.

A little after midnight we were finally admitted to the hospital.  We were expecting that we would get a less desirable space on the hallway side of a room, but we lucked out with a window side!  I must say, this hospital experience has been much better so far than last time.  I think that's mostly due to the fact that we know what to expect.  It was also nice being able to tell the nurses what his routine is in terms of feeding and meds rather than them telling us.

Today they have a little bit more info re his UTI- he has e-coli in his urine and there is also some urine reflux.  He had a renal ultrasound this morning and the cultures grew from yesterday's samples, so now they just want us to wait things out a bit.  Plebotomy was in earlier, stuck him twice, and was unable to get a sample, so they are trying to get one of the NICU nurses to come and get a sample.

Last night Chris and I both spent the night but I think tonight I'll go home and go back to work tomorrow.  The next few days will definitely be interesting!

Week Eleven: Dec 2nd - Dec 8th

Dec 2^nd

After having brought you into our bed the past few nights due to your fussiness, Mumma and Daddy decided to try out the co-sleeper we had been given.  Last night was a success!  Today you went with Mumma to visit Nana.  Her friend Laura came over and we all went out to lunch.  Aunty Hanna also was able to hold you after school.

Dec 3^rd

You had an appointment at Children’s today, so we stopped at Brandeis on the way in so that everyone could see you again.  Children’s, as always, took quite some time.  You met very briefly with a new doctor who assessed a flat spot on your head from laying too much on one side.  (We try to move you and you just roll back.)  You were then fit for a molding cup- a special device that is designed to relieve pressure on your head so that it can grow more evenly.  After that was done (about three hours after we arrived) we headed home in rush hour traffic.  Mumma took you to Granpa and Nana’s for a few hours so that Mumma and Daddy could do some basement organizing- including building some shelves.

Dec 4^th

Mumma and Daddy’s friend Kristin is painting Big Ben on your bedroom wall.  She started while you were in the hospital and came over today to finish.  We also had a new fridge delivered for the basement.  Mumma transferred 489 ounces of frozen breast milk into the freezer.  That’s a lot of milk!  We then went out for dinner and a visit with Santa.

Dec 5^th

Daddy spent the morning at Brandeis (being in the building while an outside group does The Nutcracker) so you hung out at home with Mumma.  When Daddy came home we all went out to BJ’s and Stop & Shop.  Then it was a quiet evening at home.  You’re not a huge fan of the molding cup that you got on Friday, but you’re doing better than expected.

Dec 6^th

Today was the start of your last week at home with Mumma before she goes back to work.  We went to the Burlington Mall to get some reindeer plates that Mumma has wanted for a few years, and we also picked up some Christmas gifts for you and Daddy.  In the evening, on a whim, Mumma tried to breastfeed you.  Major success!

Dec 7^th

This morning you went with Mumma and Nana to MIT to a sale that the glass lab was having.  (Mumma and Daddy have gone to many of their pumpkin sales in the past.)  We also stopped at Diaper Lab to get you some more cloth diapers for overnight use.  Mumma tried breastfeeding again.  1^st try- nope.  2^nd try- success.  3^rd try- success but then you spit it all up on Mumma.

Dec 8^th

I think we had our quickest visit to Children’s!  We were in and out in less than two hours, and that included Mumma taking time to pump.  Dr. B continues to think that you’re looking great.  He also gave you an Rx for some reflux issues you’re having.  Hopefully this will mean less spitting up and fighting while eating.

Week Ten: Nov 25th - Dec 1st

Nov 25^th

Happy Thanksgiving!  We left at 6:30am to go to Aunt Cathrine and Uncle Bob’s house in NJ.  We stopped to feed you on the war, and we arrived at 10:30.  Everyone was very excited to get to meet you.  Michael and Eric were surprisingly enamored with you.  We weren’t sure how you would do overnight, but you slept well in your Pack n Play.

Nov 26^th

The drive home from NJ took a bit longer because the GPS sent us back a weird way and we also made a few stops.  We got back early enough to have a leisurely evening at home.  I had ordered the next size of prefold cloth diapers for you (your 3^rd size) and they arrived in the mail.  You’re not ready for them yet, but you will be soon.

Nov 27^th

Daddy had to work at the store today so you and Mumma had the house to ourselves.  We were at home in the morning but then did some shopping in the afternoon.  Surprisingly places weren’t as busy as expected for the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Nov 28^th

This morning Daddy raked our leaves.  We only have two small trees, but leaves from the neighbor’s trees fall in our yard.  He raked about 34 bags of leaves!  In the evening we dressed you up again in your fancy clothes (you also wore this for Thanksgiving) and we went to dinner at Daddy’s co-worker’s Leslie Chiu’s house for authentic Chinese food.

Nov 29^th

Monday was a day at home with nothing to do.  During one of your fussy periods we tried you in the swing again.  This was the third time that Mumma has tried it, and this time you seem to have liked it.  And a little on the TMI (too much information) side, but today you pooped for the first time since Friday morning.  We were starting to get worried.

Nov 30^th

They say that the third time’s the charm.  That’s how many photo shoots you had (with 119 pictures) to get the perfect shot for your birth announcements.  Other than having your picture taken, it was a pretty quiet day with trips to the pharmacy and Wal-mart.

Dec 1^st

Today was a busy day.  You visited Mimi with Mumma in the morning.  We came home for a bit and then Daddy surprised us by coming home early from work.  We set up the co-sleeper in our room- hopefully you’ll like it.  Then we went out and looked at options to have you go biking with us this spring/ summer.