Harrison - Days 5, 6, and 7

Harrison - Day 5 Harrison - Day 6

Ava with her Cinderella Hair

Harrison - Day 7 - Nov 30th - after Dr. appt - Also the first time Ava decorated him with jewelry

Ava and Harrison

Harrison - Day 4 - Going Home/Thanksgiving

On the day after Thanksgiving we woke up early and Bradley headed out to pick up the Black Friday deals that I usually go out for. I couldn't sleep because I was excited that we was out shopping and because I was so hopeful about Harrison getting released from the hospital. We were finally discharged at around 11:00.

When we arrived home we rested for a little while and then headed to Joe and Anne's for our Thanksgiving dinner. I was actually under the weather and running a fever from a UTI so I didn't take many pictures at all. I know Bethany was snapping so hopefully I can download hers at some point.

It was a great meal and I wish I would have felt better so I could have enjoyed it more!

Altogether recovery has went more smoothly this time than with Ava. I am feeling well and up to doing things and getting out. However, our doctor has advised against public places until after the holidays. Our nurse cautioned us about going places and then our doctor reiterated those things. The flu is so hard on babies that they advise us to stay home and not go out. So we are taking that advice and staying in as much as possible. We are sticking to mainly family things (as long as no one is sick) and we are planning a quick trip to visit Santa. Other than that I feel like we are quarantined.

Ava has been doing relatively well with all the change. Of course we are seeing some acting out, especially when we have company, but overall, I feel like she is adjusting well. I am having a hard time with both of them just because Harrison is still so small and during the day he wants to be held for the most part. But all is well and I am just enjoying these 2 as much as possible because it already feels like time is flying by. I have been taking pictures everyday so I will be downloading and posting as I can. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers and I hope people are still reading this blog!

Getting dressed for the first time and already his newborn clothes don't fit.

Once we began talking about Harrison's "Birth"day with Ava she has been consumed with him having a cake on his "birth"day. So Anne ordered hom a cake and let Ava blow out the candle on it.

With Uncle Johnny

Harrison - Day 3 (Thanksgiving Day)

Thanksgiving Day was the day that we were supposed to get to go home. However, Harrison had a different plan and his jaundice level had shot up high enough that the doctor wanted him to stay another day and receive photo light therapy. I was crushed because I was so ready to go home and I really wanted to get home on Thanksgiving. I decided to stay on as a patient and be with Harrison instead of being discharged to come and go as I wanted. The doctor said that after 24 hours in the light box we should see the level start dropping and Harrison would then be discharged.

In tears I called my mom to tell her we wouldn't be coming home, and they immediately loaded Ava up to come see us. My in-laws decided to wait an additional day for the Thanksgiving meal and also came up to the hospital. We had to spend the day just hanging around my room because Harrison was confined to the nursery in his light box with the exception of feeding times.

It was so heartbreaking to see him in that box. I teared up the first time I saw him. I just kept reminding myself that he was so much better off than babies who were in boxes like that for serious medical reasons and who were on various types of machines.

On that particular Thanksgiving I was so thankful to have our healthy baby who I knew would make it through jaundice and for the wonderful nurses who took such good care of him and provided us with words of encouragement and advice. Even though we spent our first Thanksgiving in the hospital, we were showered with blessings.