Monday July 9th

I woke up hoping that today would be a much better day than yesterday. I was hoping for some kind of good news, some progress, a nice nurse, really anything! I called first thing and was told that he had done fine overnight and taken both of his morning bottles. Steve had to go back to work tonight but he woke up to take me to Elijah's 1 PM feeding. Before we left I pumped twice, even though I hadn't gotten anything yet I have continued pumping over the last four days. Well this morning I got some good news right off the bat, my milk decided to come in over night! I pumped two times before we went to see Elijah and was so proud to take my little 24 mils of milk in!

Our day nurse had today off and I was of course nervous about the nurse we would have in her place. I shouldn't have been, we had the most wonderful nurse, she was answering my questions, volunteering information, asking us questions, it was a wonderful feeding. Its amazing how the nursing staff can make such a difference. She even offered me the opportunity to have some skin to skin time with Elijah, I of course said yes right away. This was something I was very much looking forward to doing immediately after he was born but didn't get the chance to do. I have to say even though it was only 15 minutes it was wonderful!!

My mom came over to take me to his 4 PM feeding so that Steve could get some sleep before work tonight. It was her first chance to get to see him for more than a few minutes and the first time she had seen him up and out of his bed. I was able to bring almost enough breast milk for an entire bottle. I think my mom really enjoyed the time she got to spend with Elijah, she didn't hold him but she held his hand and got to check out his head of hair and his long skinny feet. He did really well at his feeding this afternoon and seems to be getting interested in his bottle. He was opening his mouth and sticking his tongue down in order to engage with the bottle. They removed he line to his IV at the feeding and said they will remove the port in the morning, this will make daddy very happy!!

His 7 o'clock feeding I was again able to bring enough breast milk to make the majority of his bottle! I defiantly understand why they call breast milk liquid gold, its hard work to get that stuff!! Elijah was very sleepy at his evening feeding, very is putting it mildly, he was out! Daddy fed Elijah for the first time tonight, he did a great job at it! He didn't take all of his feeding by bottle at this one and they gave him the rest in his NG tube. They assured us this is normal, to have several good feedings and then be super tired for one and have to use the NG tube. It doesn't mean its a set back and we shouldn't get discouraged.

Since Steve had to go back to work I had to go to the 10 o'clock feeding by myself, my brother drove me though don't worry, I am not breaking any rules! It was different and scary to be there by myself, Steve always helps so much and remembers things I forget. Elijah did well at this feeding, he took all of it with a bottle so that a check in the plus column. I got to do skin to skin contact for about 20 minutes tonight, can't get enough of that! He was awake almost the entire time, in the last 5 minutes he started to fall asleep but before that he was awake looking around at me.

Tomorrow we are hoping to remove the IV port and also get out from under the bilirubin lights. Fingers crossed, if he does he will also get to move to an open bed, these are all great checks in the coming home soon column! I will add pictures to this post today, Steve didn't get a chance to upload them from his phone before work!