Loki has been home almost a month, although I could not imagine him at a hospital. Mom and I are settling into some degree of a routine, as is Loki. During the weekends I wake and take care of Loki around 8 am, and Mom tries to sleep until 9, when she must pump. During weekdays I go to work unless Loki has had a particularly rough night, in which case I give him his 8 am bottle as well. Loki is always awake between 3:00/4:00 am and 8:00 am, during which time mom breastfeeds, gives bottle feedings and attempts to comfort him. Before at least five of the bottle feeds mom spends approximately 20 minutes to work on breastfeeding. During bottle feedings she usually pumps milk as well. I give Loki his last two bottles of the night, which usually keeps me awake past midnight. During weekend days we alternate feedings and household tasks.
Much of Mom's and Loki's time is taken up by visits to doctors and from nurses. I think there are four appointments this week?!
Through all this, we still struggle to feed him enough. He is gradually putting on weight, and is around eight and a half pounds. The exact weight depends on which scale: the doctor's, the home health nurse's, or ours. But on all three, his weight is increasing, although not at the ideal rate.
Loki's third and final surgery is scheduled for April 1 at the hospital in San Francisco. In this procedure, the stent which was left in will be removed, and his hernia will be repaired. He will probably spend 48 hours or so there. Coincidentally, in the US (not sure about the Low Country) that date in April Fool's Day, in which people play jokes on one another. Hopefully Loki - the Trickster - won't try to be too funny.
Below are some photos. I hope to have a new video tomorrow.
Loki under the ceiling of infinite entertainment. Check out the shoes!
Pull my finger! T-Shirt says "Yes I can!"
He is presently sleeping in a portable playpen next our bed. The playpen has an elevated sleeping surface inside, and a changing tray on top (where the bear is). The sleeping surface was is slightly sloped to help with his digestion. (Down is under the tray.) Recently, his sleeping movements have changed, and he quickly rolls down the slope. We took away the wedge, but Loki still moves around and always ends up halfway under the changing tray.
Untitled (written 8/30/2008)
4 months ago
3 comments:
Great to hear that all Loki's development is in the right direction! And you all are finding you way in dealing with all of it. And yes, in the low countries april first is a day to play tricks on others, and when thy found out they've been tricked you tell them: April 1st! So that will be a day to be extra attentive.
Love 2 u all, Frits and Heleen
Hoi,
Rara, hoe hebben we dat gedaan, dat vertel ik nog wel eens.
Goed om te horen dat er al een soort routine ontstaat. Hoewel het naturlijk allemaal nog super intensief is, helemaal met alle artsenbezoekjes er nog bij. Het is toch ook geweldig dat Loki al een maand thuis is, wat lijkt die lange ziekenhuistijd dan al weer ver weg he?
Wat een stoere jumpsuit heeft Loki aan. Flo heeft eenzelfde gehad, ik vond hem onwijs fijn voor hem om te dragen. In het voorjaar wil ik er nog een kopen.
Kus Maaike
Thank you so much for letting me visit on Saturday! It was so nice to see you all and to get to hold Mr. Loki-Doki. If the picture you took of me is any good, can you email it?
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