Nelsonblog

Overheard conversation (taking place while Evan is being fed):

Sue: ‘So how are you, today, little Evan? Did you sleep well?’

Evan: ‘mph.’

Sue: ‘Really? How fascinating. And what did Papa do then?’

Evan: ‘mph-mMMmm. *grunt*’

Sue: ‘You don’t say. You must have been very hot all cuddled up against him for three hours like that while he was on the computer.   Oh.  You say that was the only way you’d allowed to fall asleep?  Very sneaky.  Hey, now. No more clawing at your face with your hand, young man. We’ve been over this before.’

Evan: ‘*grunt* MMMMmmm. mph-mph.’

Sue: ‘I see. Nevertheless- no more clawing. I insist.  It looks quite painful.  Maybe we ought to tell your Papa to go take a nap.  He looks quite tired.’

And so I did. 

I had my six week check up with Dr. Han.  Fortunately, I am on the road to recovery and healing just fine – it's just taking a little longer.

This was my first time back to the hospital with just Evan and me.  It was a strange feeling to be walking the halls of the maternity floor where just a few weeks ago I was there  and  my son was holding on for dear life.

 Evan and I stopped by the NICU to say hi – the nurses were all quite  busy and weren't able to chat much.  My heart stopped for a second when I rolled Evan into the NICU in his stroller – so many times I had walked through this same door not knowing if I would see my son well or sick – no knowing what hurdles he would face that day – and here I rolled him in as healthy and beautiful as could be.  I looked around the NICU and a chill ran down my spine – this room contained little lives that were fighting to stay alive.  I quickly turned around and walked out and felt relieved.  I no  longer had to leave with thoughts of the unknown.  What I knew was that my boy was alive and today and many days to come he was going home with me.  No more tests, needles or hospital stays for him.  He was my son and belonged with me.

 On my way out I stopped by the nurses station to say hello.  The nurse that was on duty the day I delivered (RC) was on duty and came out to chat.  She was amazed and so joyful to see Evan.  She told me that we had been in her prayers and she was so relieved to see us both doing well.  It was interesting – RC was telling other nurses- 'This is the Nelson baby!' And their eyes got big and they exclaimed 'Oh, Wow!'.  Apparently our story had been told and retold to many of the hospital staff.  I'm just relieved that our story has a happy ending.

Evan’s stats

Temperature 97.2 (under the arm) – just right
Lungs are clear
Heartrate 120 – normal
Length – 22 1/4 inches
Headsize – 15 1/2 inches
Weight – 13.2 pounds 

Holy SMOKES! 13.2 POUNDS?!?  O.O

Hey! We actually figured something out!

We gave Evan another bath today- it was ’screaming in abject terror’ again as usual.

However- Sue started singing a song to him, and I chimed in- and wouldn’t you know it- Evan stopped squalling immediately! His eyes widened and he looked at first me then his mother in blessed silence.

Well, we wasted NO time, let me tell you. It was the amazing singing Nelson duet for the remainder of the bath. Evan only made minor whimper and cries. BIG difference, let me tell you.

It was nice to feel like we’re not totally in the dark with this whole business.

So, I’m between jobs this week- I start my new position next Monday. I have to tell you, I had a pretty great day.

Allow me tell you about it.

First of all, Evan slept for almost eight hours straight last night! Whoo! Okay, when he woke up at 5 AM- he was not in the mood to go back to sleep- but still it was a great improvement. I let Sue sleep and took the little guy and had some quality father-son time. Of course, this mainly consisted of me holding him and patting him on the back for an hour until he went back to sleep- but there you go. Eventually Mom came downstairs eventually and found her ‘boys’ watching TV together. Then we had a nice lunch. In the afternoon, Sue went to her physical therapy session and I got more time alone with my son.  He curled up on my chest asleep as I sat at our computer- surfing the internet, naturally  .  On Sues return, we had more relaxing family time- just the three of us.  Followed by a tasty dinner and the aforementioned bath-time.  I just tucked Evan, then Sue into bed and now that I’m finished with this post, I’m headed there as well.
Today felt like how the first two weeks after Evan was born should have been.

A good day.

You were an amazing help this weekend. Sue and I and little Evan were sad to see you return to Salt Lake.

Thanks again for all your help- we appreciate you
Without further ado: Here’s a selection of pictures taken over the weekend-

My personal fav:
Evan Smiling at Momma!

Susans parents came to visit for the weekend- almost expressly for the purpose of getting a chance to hold Evan. They told it it was well worth the wait.

Yay!

Yow. He did NOT enjoy that.

It was sadly comical, in a way- I know that sounds mean. But judging from his angry cries, he obviously thought we were breaking the Geneva Convention with some horrible water-torture.

I mean, you feel for him- he obviously has no clue what’s going on- but he had a tone of… well… accusation- as if to say: “ah-HAH! Lull me into a false sense of security, will you? Feed me yummy milk and wrap me up and sing to me… sure… but THEN you try to DROWN ME!”

Much fun was had by all-

Okay, not really all.

Holy smokes! Evan has gained a POUND and a HALF in two weeks!

He’s 11 pounds 12 ounces now! Not to mention 23 1/2 inches long!

Amazing.

The doctor says he’s doing just fine.

Great news.