Aaron, Joslin, Alex and Molly: March 2012

Molly's first month was crazy! I thought that by having the C-section, the only worry I would have would be my recovery. Boy was I wrong!

Since Molly's bilirubin had been high, we had to take her to the doctor the Monday after we were released to check her levels. Her levels were a little high again so we were told to come back on Tuesday for another check. On Tuesday her levels were ok so we didn't have to go back until her two week appointment. Tuesday night/Early Wednesday morning I noticed that Molly felt a little warm. At 3 am, Alex decided to make some noise so I had Aaron grab the thermometer when he went to check on him. My baby girl had a temperature. I checked her again in the morning and she still had one. I called the doctor and they told me that they wanted to see her. So off to the doctors office we go. Once we are there, her temperature is taken again and she was up to 102! We were not able to see our normal doctor and the guy we saw informed me that they were going to send us to the hospital to be admitted. He also told me that blood and urine samples would be taken as well as a spinal tap for cultures to see what was going on. I was trying so hard not to cry but I failed. It was so hard to call Aaron. I was planning to run home to get a few things and to meet Aaron at the hospital but the doctor told us to go straight to the hospital. My poor mother-in-law had to deal with me! I was a mess.

Once we were at the hospital, they sent Molly straight up to her room. Thankfully I liked the doctor who was at the hospital and he made me feel a little better about the spinal tap. I think that is what scared me the most. I was scared about mine for giving birth and the thought of one being done to my 9 day old baby was really hard. I know that with me, fluid was injected and they were only draining fluid from Molly but it made me so nervous. The nurses had a hard time getting her iv done due to her being slightly dehydrated and due to her jaundice. Molly did great through everything and she didn't cry to much.

There was no question that I was not leaving the hospital. Thankfully we were given a room with a bed for me and a chair that would lay flat for another person. Aaron was not going to leave me alone up at the hospital but I felt he should be the one to be at home with Alex in the evenings. He was torn on what to do but he agreed that it was best for Alex to have some normalcy. My mother-in-law stayed at the hospital with me and I can't thank her enough! She was there at night and then I had her and Aaron during the day. We were admitted on a Wednesday and we finally got to go home on Saturday. The doctor determined that she had viral meningitis that could have come from a tummy bug or from someone who had viral meningitis. Apparently adults can have it and not know they do because because they may think it is just a typical tummy bug. You can have any one or combination of a fever, diarrhea or throwing up.

I haven't been to paranoid since we have been home. I went a week before I took her temperature for the first time. I have checked it a few times since but praise God she has been fever free! My mom was with us after we came home from the hospital the second time and then my mother-in-law came up again the following week. We can't thank them enough for their help! They cooked, cleaned, and helped with both babies. While my mother-in-law was here, we even took a trip to Winnie for Molly to meet her 92 year old great grandmother. Aaron was sad that he couldn't go with us but he is happy that his grandmother got to meet Molly. Alex also turned 18 months old! I can't believe how big he is getting. He is talking more and more. He goes non-stop all day and I love him so much. I love watching him with Molly. He gives her hugs, kisses and tries to share his toys and books. It is so cute!

Molly is consistently going 3 hours between feedings during the day and going 4 to 5 hours at night. She doesn't always go down right away during the night but she is getting better. Now that we no longer have help, we are slowly figuring out life with two little ones. Things are going well so far. We will have to readjust once I am back at work but so far so good! We are so in love with our little girl! Here are some pictures from Molly's first month. We are using Alex's chair until Rachel finishes Molly's. It is all going so fast!