Baby stories

When I got to the hospital last evening, after a terrifically horrendous day at work, I might add--and no sleep the night before, I braced myself for the worst. Brodie was still in the nursery unit, and being checked over by a team of doctors, I stood there and watched through the wall-sized window for awhile, watched him be poked and prodded and suctioned and stuck and...ugh you name it. After awhile, I couldn't just stand there and watch any longer, I went into Janelle's room. She looks beautiful by the way...stressed and worn out, but beautiful. She is feeling well physically, and that is truly a blessing. I could see the worry about her baby all over her, though. She has had too many visitors, and no time to rest. The little time that she has had with her baby alone, has been spent worrying about him---since he was born he has been making these little sounds - constant, continual "grunting" noises (that's the medical term - it doesn't really sound like a grunt, more like a painful sigh). That noise has had everyone on the medical team distressed and caused many tests--x-rays, blood work, constant suctioning of his stomach--ugh the poor little guy. But last night, when I finally got my hands on him for the second time ever, he was like a completely different baby! He was peaceful and sleepy and the sweetest thing I had ever put my hands on, not counting my own babies. I could not believe the difference. I was lucky enough to have come at just the right time, as the neo-natal icu dr came in to talk to us. There had been some question from his own pediatrician whether or not to have him transferred to that unit. The dr said that he has looked him over from head to toe and cannot find anything wrong...NOTHING WRONG. He said that his lungs are still a litle wet-and that some babies have a harder time transitioning from inside to outside and he honestly felt that was the problem here. He said that he was apparently born with a HUGE bubble of air in his stomach and that was causing discomfort. He said the air bubble could actually be seen on the xrays that they had taken. I surmised that because his entry into this world was so rough - and I am here to tell you, it was unlike anything I ever experienced, and because he did swallow so much ucky stuff while getting from in to out--that caused most of his problems. The dr left with very specific instructions that should he begin making that noise again, she let him know right away. I don't believe I have ever felt such relief all at once before. I had to leave shortly after that and I did not hear from Janelle again last evening, I told her I wouldn't bother her, if she wanted to talk to me to call---she so badly needs some rest. So this morning I assume that he is still doing fine. They should go home today or tomorrow - and you all know that's when the real work begins. His little bruised head - from the vacuum - is improving, too. It was so swollen and red upon his arrival, it really had me worried..but last night, it looked so much better, too---I am just thanking God this morning, for what seems to be the most beautiful baby boy, ever. Well, not counting mine...

As for me, the timing couldn't be worse. I am trying to close the month of April and we are having one of those stupid-scam-come in and see if your key fits in the ignition to win the car sales, and my place of employment is crawling with people. My employers don't give a damn what's going on in my life, just get he damned work done. You know, I get that I have a job to do and in all my years, that's what I have done---but they can kiss my backside. My job is no longer my life, and I just don't care. I wanted SO badly to be able to take a couple of days off and spend them with Janelle and Brodie but that isn't going to happen. So I am going to try and spend my nights with her but I can already see the writing on the wall - I will be a mess during the days, being up with a baby all night. Just once, can't things work out..just once? And that is not even mentioning that this weekend is the festival of all things dutch and I have NO ONE to cover the Ice Cream Store...breathe in, breathe out, things will all work out.

Frankly my dear...I just don't give a hoot. Brodie is here, and he is going to be fine. I'm out.