Hanks Journey

{WARNING} contains lots of pictures and text that may seem boring to some, mostly for me and family to remember.

{DAY 1} Sunday, August 2nd 2009

Had a few contractions in the morning while at church. Came home from Church at 12:30 and started to feel them closer together, by 2:00 we rushed Cooper over to the neighbors (Thank you Carters!!!) along with our dinner since we were planning a Cafe Rio night at our house with friends. Went to the hospital and was already dilated to a 7 followed by an 8 , rushed into a c-section and Henry Fisher Wells was born at 3:46 pm

6lbs 8 oz

19 1/2 inches long

35.5 weeks gestational age.

Mom and Dad were able to hold him for about an hour, then he was taken to the baby Nursery and spent a few minutes there before being taken up to the 6th floor NICU for under developed Lungs. He was put on a nasal Cannula were he was given oxygen for the night.

{DAY 2} August 3rd

Hank was intibated with a ventilator and given surfactant to build up his lungs. (Babies born prematurely may not have enough surfactant in the lungs. Surfactant helps to keep the baby's alveoli open; without surfactant, the lungs collapse and the baby is unable to breathe. )

I was able to hold him for a short moment that day, but since he was under alot of stress, holding him just caused more so after that we just touched him softly.

My mom also flew in this day to help out with Cooper.

mean while I was still recovering and trying to get attention from Cooper, he just enjoyed watching "Nemo" from my hospital bed.

{Day 3} August 4th

Intibated again with the ventilator, and got a feeding tube put in. Wasn't able to hold him at all that day. Put under a biliruben light for his Jaundice. They put a PICC line in today. (Percutaneously inserted central catheters (PICC lines), are long, thin, plastic tubes that travel from a vein in an arm or leg into one of the large veins near the heart. In premature infants, they are used to deliver fluids or medications.
A PICC line is similar to a peripheral IV, but is longer and lasts longer. Premature infants have fragile veins, and peripheral IVs usually last only 1 to 3 days. A PICC line, though more difficult to insert, can be used for 1 to 2 weeks or more.)

{DAY 4} August 5th

Kept this ventilator in, still under biliruben light, still being fed through a feeding tube. PICC line still in.Not able to hold him.

{DAY 5} August 6th

I was released from the hospital today, Nate and I held Hank before leaving the hospital. Just after leaving we got word that they took the ventilator out and he was just using the nasal cannula and feeding tube. Later that night we were both able to hold him again with out all the tubes in our way. PICC line taken out.

{DAY 6} August 7th

Nasal Cannula and feeding tube still in, still under Bili light. he moved into the next room which was a critical care nursery for more stable babies.

{DAY 7} August 8th
Nasal Cannula still in, continue being fed by tube, Bili light still on. We saw him open his eyes for the first time! Able to hold him for a long period of time.

{DAY 8} August 9th

During the night he had pulled out his nasal cannula, so the nurses just took it off. He was breathing really well on his own. Took the Bili light off and put one under his clothes so he looked like a glow worm. That morning he took a bottle for the first time. I was able to breast feed him starting in the afternoon. He also moved to a hospital crib. We were able to change his diapers, breast feed him and hold him whenever.

{DAY 9} August 10

Breast feeding is going really well, took out feeding tube, no more glow worm. Met big brother for the first time today. (In the NICU children under 3 aren't allowed in, so when I was walking across the hall to feed him we brought Cooper into the breast feeding room and let him see his baby brother.) Grandma Gibby left today, also moved to the 2nd floor to the Critical Care Nursery 3 for more stable babies. Cooper was able to see Hank again and help move him to the 2nd floor.

{DAY 10} August 11

Continue breastfeeding him, gaining weight looking good and feeling like a normal baby.

{DAY 11} August 12

Passed car seat check, got circumcised and CAME HOME!!!!

Cooper cant get enough of his baby brother, he always wants to hold him, kiss him and help out with everything. The day we brought Hank home, a couple in our ward had brought us dinner and they were holding Hank. Cooper was distracted when they left our home, the minute he heard the door shut he ran to the window and said "oh no Hank" (as if they took Hank with them). When he figured out that dad was holding him, he was relieved.

Things are going well, we are just trying to cope with the sleepless nights now, but are just happy to be a little family of four now!