Mother's Day With My Kids

Today was about the nicest Mother's Day anyone in my position could ask for. I continue to feel better and heal every day, and moving around is much easier. Every time I visited the NICU today, I walked down there on my own. I got to have breakfast in bed this morning...courtesy of hospital cafeteria room service! This morning Mike and I were able to be involved in Ryan's "cares" - Mike assisted in taking his temperature (easier said than done...he kept punching his little arm around), and I was able to change his diaper. It felt good to be able to do something to help him. We also listened in on rounds as the neonatologist, nurses, and neonatal nurse practitioner discussed his plan of care for the day. They are feeding him a little breast milk with a syringe and tube and trying to reduce his oxygen when he is showing signs of improvement. We asked if we'd be able to hold him and were told to return at 6pm when they'd have him out to weigh him.

Ryan greeted me at 6 with a poopy diaper. After I helped to change him, our nurse handed him over, tubes and all, so I could have a little skin-to-skin time with him snuggling on my chest. Best Mother's Day gift of all! It was only the third time I've held him. He settled and rested calmly, they were able to turn down his oxygen a bit and his oxygen saturation levels rose to 100%. Even Laura was interested in getting a little closer to her brother and talking to hima bit. Reluctantly, I handed Ryan off to daddy and he continued to do a great job. We were able to take a lot of pictures and we all look so happy to be holding him and seeing our son doing so well. I am one content mother tonight; it's amazing how much better that moment made me feel. My other sweet child picked out a pink flower with a purple ribbon at church today for me. I miss all the fun and love I get from Laura, and so we did spend some time tonight snuggling in my hospital bed ("Can I push the buttons, mom?"). It will be good to be at home a bit starting tomorrow and feel like I am "mothering" her once again, although her daddy-o and grandparents have been doing a wonderful job taking care of her.