First Week Home With Levi

Our journey to this point has been a crazy one. I am so thankful for Lin and the life that we have together, and I am so grateful to God for allowing us to have it. Although we could not imagine our lives any differently now, starting out 3 years ago, we never in a million years would've dreamed we'd be where we are today. 

Friday, February 3, we welcomed the newest addition to our family--Levi William Bradley. At 6 lbs 14 oz and 21 in long, he was a full pound lighter than Micah while being 2 in longer than him, so he was long and lean.

We were able to leave the hospital on Monday, February 6 to head home with our new little bundle. Thanks to grandparents, we have spent these first few days at home with only one child since they took Micah back to SC with them for 2 weeks. For this, we are so grateful as it has made this transition a whole lot easier.

Sleeping:

     Although we are only a few days in, it seems as though we have a very good sleeper. Monday night, he woke up almost exactly every 3 hours to eat. He ate, and 30 mins later we were all back asleep. Tuesday night he slept for 5 hours straight, woke up to eat, then went right back to sleep.Wednesday night got off to a rough start. We were up every couple of hours until 0600 when we all went back to sleep and slept till 1000. (That was nice!) Last night was back to every 3-4 hours. He does so well without a pacy; even if he's awake when we go to sleep, he just lays there quietly until he falls asleep. This is one thing I hope to see continue.

Dr's Visits:

     We had to take Levi to the doctor on Tuesday to get his bilirubin levels checked because they were a bit high in the hospital and also to get a referral to the urologist because we were told in the hospital that he had hypospadias. Well when the doctor checked him, she said his color looked fine and didn't even bother checking his bilirubin levels, and she said she didn't think he had hypospadias, so he could be circumcised in the office that day if we wanted. The series of events are as follows:

-After waiting for her to go talk to the doctor that does the circumcisions, a referral lady came in and told us that the doctor would rather us be seen by a urologist since hypospadias had even been brought up as an option. 

-As we're getting our stuff ready to leave, the doctor who did the exam came in and told us the circumcision doctor was coming to talk to us. She also informed us that our insurance would not cover it and we would need to pay up front.

-I called Lin to make sure it was ok and that he wanted to have it done; he said yes. (If we would've waited it would've ended up costing more.)

-Because I was pretty sure TriCare would cover it, I called them. "Our system is down. Please call back later." Of course.

-A nurse came in to ask how long it had been since he'd eaten. It'd been 20 mins. It's supposed to be 4 hrs for them to do it.

-We're told he can't have it.

-Get ready to leave.

-We're told he can have it.

-I go to the front to pay for it.

-There are about 6 nurses/doctors/random people who work at the office debating over whether or not he can have it.

-I offer to reschedule it-this sent them into further discussion. (Of course talking about it like I wasn't standing right there.)

-Right there, in the middle of the pediatrician's office, I burst into tears.

    Long story short, I survived, Levi ended up being circumcised, and poor Stephanie (who so graciously drove us since I can't drive yet and Lin had class) had to wait with me for 3 and a half hours while all of this took place with her own 3 month old.

---Levi's 1 week check up went MUCH better this morning. He'd gain 3.5 oz since Tuesday and now weighs 7lbs even.

Random:

-Our Sunday School class has been amazing! We have enjoyed WONDERFUL meals every-other evening since we've been home (and lunch the past 3 days) thanks to them.

-I have called Levi 'Micah' at least a million times.

-I miss Micah like crazy, and can't wait to have him home! But we realize how blessed we are to have family willing to make this transition easier for us.