The First Week

Since we left the hospital early, it entitled us to a visiting nurse appointment within the first two days we were home to check on us. To our surprise it was our neighbor down the street, Joyce, who was assigned to our case!

She came Friday morning to check us both out. She reported that Matthew was jaundice but nothing to worry about at the moment and that his weight was down to 7lbs. That was a bit concerning because it was the max amount you really want then to loose. Joyce called our pediatrician to see if she wanted us to come in for a visit before our Tuesday appointment. Lots of questions and phone calls later they determine we are okay to wait, but red to wake up Matthew every two hours to eat to flush the billirubin out and get some lbs on him!

Over the weekend he was very sleepy but we woke him up to eat like dr said... And the whole time I am thinking "I can't believe I am waking a happy sleep baby!" He also seemed to get more yellow which had me worried because it was suppose to be getting better. Since I am a new mom and a worry wort I called Joyce to see if she would mind popping by on Monday to check him out. Boy it is great to have such wonderful neighbors!!!

She checked him out - he gained 2 oz according to her scale! And she did think his yellow color was worse but nothing that couldn't wait till the doctor checked him the next day. She just recommended we keep him in the sunlight when we can.

Tuesday we headed to the doctor for his one week appointment and out first excursion out of the house! Rob had to go to work so it was just me and Matthew - luckily it was just down the street from our house because it definitely takes longer to get out of the house with a newborn than it ever has before!

Everyone at the doctor's office loved Matthew. He is developing a little fan club :-). His weight stayed the same at 7.2lbs and she drew blood to check his billirubin level. We would have the results that evening. Turns out his levels were medium to high at 16.8 and we would have to go Beverly hospital to get blood drawn again the next day to see if he was trending up or down. No light therapy yet but definitely generating stress for me with all the worrying about him. Welcome to motherhood I guess!!

Oh and how could I forget... Matthew also met his great Grampy too!!