I realize we are backtracking and this is a little confusing, but I kept a journal of the first 7 days of Slate's life. Every night when we got home from the NICU after being discharged from the hospital on day 2, we came home at approximately 10 pm and I pumped while I documented the events of the first 7 days so we could remember. The first 72 hours are the most important and then the first week is usually indicative of how baby is going to tolerate all of his/her "firsts." Here's our first 7 days with our little warrior baby......(EXCUSE ALL THE TYPOS, I WROTE THESE ON MY PHONE AND PROBABLY STILL WASN'T ABLE TO CATCH ALL OF THEM UPON QUICKLY PROOFREADING)
Day 1
Well, today was an emotional roller coaster. You went straight to the NICU after being born and we didn't get to see you again for 2 or 3 hours ( I can't remember). When we got to see you, you were tied to lots of wire and machines and were sedated. Probably the scariest moment for this mommy was seeing my baby laying lifeless in an isolette, where I couldn't hold him. You were doing great and we got to touch you lightly and watch you.
Day 2 of life
Big day!
NP Dena thinks u r ready to come off the vent. We were shocked, scared, and excited, and fearful.
They ordered a brain sono of you to check for intraventrivular bleeds and you passed with flying colors.
Taken off ventilator at 12:05 pm
Responded very well
Mimis and Aunt Les came to see u
Debbie and Kelvin saw you
Mom and dad got to help turn you around in your incubator, change your bed linens, and turn u on your side. You made faces at us the whole time, but seemed to really enjoy being on your side. You had already started trying to pull out your oxygen canulla after I told u to leave it alone. I think u r going to be ornery. :)
Day 3 of Life
You are continually amazing us. Your Daddy stopped by to see you on his way to work. He said you were sleeping well and had had a good night. Your Mimis and I got to go see you at 8:00 and help give u a sponge bath, take your footprints, change your bedding, and move your feeding tube. You cried when we got u wet, and it was the best sound I've ever heard. You tried to open your eyes at us several times. It was such a special and meaningful moment. I got to lift you up out of your incubator to change lines and wrap u in warm towels. You fell asleep immediately at the feeling of the warm towels. I think you felt 100% better after your bath. We put you on your tummy and you went straight to sleep.
At noon, your Mimis and I got to change your diaper and take your temp. Your Mimis really enjoyed getting to help u. You opened your eyes at us and squeaked at us.
At 4:00-we got to help remove your UVC line, which is another step in the right direction. You didn't even flinch and it clotted well. We changed your diaper and took your temp and simply got to admire you for a little while while Becca changed your lines. I could stare at you all day...you seem to know my voice as you try super hard to open your eyes when u hear me. It melts my heart. Your Mimis is about to leave to go home and I'm dreading it already. I get to look forward to skin-skin contact at 8:00, so that would be good to get my mind off of your Mimis leaving.
8:00-oh my gosh!!!!! I got to hold my precious baby boy tonight. Your daddy took your temp and I changed your diaper. The nurse then put u in my shirt like a kangaroo. It's the most amazing, most overwhelming feeling in the world...u are precious. U snuggled right into my chest and life was so blissful. Your daddy got to feed you your colostrum in your cheeks and you did very well again. You swallowed like a big boy and didn't desaturate. You make us so proud. Then we just say and talked to you for about 45 minutes....you opened your eyes for your daddy during convo. It made his day. Today was once again An amazing day!!! We love u so much and can't wait to see you in the morning.
Day 4 of life
Your daddy went to see you on his way to work. He thinks u know whn we r there and I agree. I went to see you at 8:00 am and got to hold you again. It's the sweetest, most amazing feeling in the world to hold you and feel your precious little body. We got an hour of skin to skin time and Phillip, a NP of yours, came in and discussed going up on feedings. You have done really well so far and he wants to push you a little bit...so they are increasing your feedings to every 3 hours and adding 1.5 mL every 12 hours...wow! You are hopefully gonna start taking off soon! :) we are hoping you will have a poopy diaper soon.
Miss Becca encouraged me to come home and take a nap, so I did! It was great and Becca sent me an adorable pic of your sleeping with your leg kicked again (again). I swear U sleep just like your daddy. It's so stinking cute.
I went back for the 2:30 and 5:30 touch times and feedings...you had quite a bit of residual on the 5:30 feeding, but Becva thinks it's because u were on your left side, so they fed it back to you and have you your dinner. We r hoping for better digestion this next time. I get to hold you again at 8:30....your daddy says you are too little and he doesn't wanna break you. :)
8:30-I changed your diaper and took your temp, you have been resting well. It was time to hold u and your daddy agreed that he wanted to! So Liana swaddled u up, put your hat on, and laid u in your daddy arms. Lets just say, he's a very proud dad!! Y'all snuggled and hung out for a while, then your daddy got Hot (it's super warm in your room, we get hot easily, but that's ok as long as u r warm.) so I got to switch with dad and love on u for a little while. U r so beautiful and perfect. We feel very blessed...I can't believe God chose me to be your mom. I count the hours until I get to hold u again and see your precious face. Keep up the hard work, Buddy!
Day 5 of life
Daddy went and saw you again this morning....and I headed up aroun 8;00 so I could hold u at 8:30. There's just nothing better than holding you! The NP and Becca decided it was time for u to poop, so we have you a couple of suppositories and u pooped!! U poor baby, u have to feel better, plus, your bilirubin levels were elevated again an this should help with that. I stayed almost all day with you....I left around 4:00 and went home for a nap. I had a great day with you! You are being so strong and such a big boy. Momma is so proud!!
At 8:30-your Daddy and I came back to see you. We changed your diaper and I got To hold u again. Daddy was really tired and scared to get anything on u that would hurt u from his day at work. He didn't hv time for a shower, so I got all the skin to skin time today. :) they are rapidly increasing your feedings and u r growing! We love u!!!
Day 6 of Life
Good morning....your daddy came and saw you early this morning and said you were doing well...you had a poopy diaper overnight and gained 50 grams!! Way to go dude! I came in at 8:15 and got to hold you for an hour....utter bliss! U r really becoming more talkative. Your sweet little cry when we move u is precious. U aren't a fan of bring moved around. ;) I helped feed you your 11:30 lunch, changed your diaper and you were fast back to sleep. I went and ran a couple of errands and came back to see you for your 2:30 touch time. Holy moly!!!! U had a serious poopy diaper! Yay!!!!!! I know you have to feel better. We got you cleaned up and gave you your next feeding as you stayed awake for a bit with your eyes open. We visited and then U went to sleep. I read for a while, then changed u at 5:30 and changed you again....you peed all over me! U have quite a forceful bladder. ;) we won't complain, though.....that means all your systems r working! Ok, I'm gonna let u rest....I'm going home to get your daddy.
We had veggies and cheese for dinner, your poor daddy is so exhausted. He's working hard for us and trying to see u as well. I held u again kangaroo care, u just snuggled right in. You are handling feedings well, still. Praying it remains that way. We weighed u, and u are back to your birthweight!!! Way to go little man!!! U make us so proud and give us such strength every day. Goodnight, precious boy. We love you.
Day of Life 7
Happy 1 week Mr. Slate!!
Your daddy came by as saw you this morning, he reports that u r doing great and had a good night. U had another poopy diaper last night. Whoop whoop! Feedings went well...and I got here at 8:00ish. U were snoozing on your belly....u r so fun to watch. We did a diaper change and temp and then I got to hold u again. Heaven!! U r so funny about your legs...you had your left leg stick straight out into my shirt during kangaroo care. We just laughed at u, but u seemed comfy so we let u stay there. I held u for about an hour, u did great. At your 11:30 feedings, u r up to 19.5 mL of food and u r having some reflux issues.....it looks like u r chewing gum and it appears u r a little uncomfortable. Poor baby, it breaks my heart. We slowed your feeding down and that seemed to help. We will see how your next feeding goes. Also, Kim-NNP came by and said we could pull your UVC!! Yay!!! One more graduated step to less cords!! U r making such huge strides, buddy. I'm so proud!!
We received 12" of snow overnight Wednesday night. It was an absolute beautiful snow and much appreciated! You can see how peacefully it fell as its piled up on top of my flower pots. Thank you Lord for the wonderful moisture and snow day! 
