Nicu-itis

Well, I think it's official. I have NICU-itis. I had a meltdown yesterday in the NICU and thank goodness one of our favorite nurses was there. I was frustrated that I thought he was making progress and it didn't seem like the Drs did. The nurse told me it was probably time for me to take a break. I am usually there for a significant amount of the day, almost every day. She said every mom reaches a point where they just need a break, especially one like me who is there a lot. And I think it's true. I find myself doing things like being on the bottom floor and pushing the down button for the elevator, or pushing the 3rd floor when I am on the 3rd floor already. Or texting my friend about something and then asking her how she knew about it when she called to talk.  Or throwing the reusable breast shields to my pump in the garbage and saving the wrapper they came in. Or getting home and realizing that the majority of my clothes are at "the home" and that I didn't actually pack any to bring home. Oops. Ok, that's probably enough examples. And here are some pictures from the last few days.

I haven't been home for any significant amount of time (other than when I was sick) since May. That's 4 months of being in the hospital or traveling back and forth. I can count on one hand the number of full days that I have NOT been at the NICU. So, I have been instructed to take a little "me" time, and a little "me and Danny" time. I have a haircut scheduled and a massage. And I have lined up lots of paperwork, bills, and other things I need to get taken care of that I just haven't had time (or made time) to do.

I did some retail therapy with my mom yesterday. It was pretty fun, there is a new teeny tiny baby in the NICU right next to Cohen. I remember how overwhelming and scary it all is when your baby is that sick. So, we decided she could use a little something happy. We got the most adorable pair of gold baby sandals for her girl and a few other things. It's nice to have something to look forward to, that someday her baby will get to wear cute things too. In the NICU every little thing is a big thing, whether good or bad. So, we just wanted to give her a little "hope". Because I've been there and I know what it likes and it sucks. Hopefully those bring just a little bit of happiness to her day. And of course I got a few things for Cohen too. We found the most adorable shoes on clearance at Babies R Us and couldn't pass up $2 shoes!

{Cute right? The picture doesn't do them justice...they are gold and sparkly}

 {Cohen's flip flops}

Cohen is doing fine, actually he is doing pretty well. He is down to 2L on his oxygen and tolerated it like a champ. And he gets to move to a crib!! Well, actually they will take the top off of his isolette first and see if he tolerates it. If he does then he gets to move to a little bassinet. He did have a little excitement this morning with an issue that turned out to be a non-issue. I think he will thank me someday for not sharing the details, poor little fellow. When he gets to 1L of oxygen he can move to the regular nasal cannula and then he can start trying to breastfeed pretty soon!!!! Yay!!!

 

{Smiling}