Home Is Where the Baby Is...

Well, we made it out of the NICU after our one week adventure. We learned many important things during our stay:

• how to burp babies
• what meconium is - it may be the real origin of the phrase "tar baby" because you could make roads with the stuff if you had enough of it
  
• how to make a "baby burrito"
• what a heart murmur is
• how to nurse - not so valuable for me, but valuable for the ladies in my life
• what "Strep B" is
• where Davis PD motorcycle cops like to hide to catch people (eastbound Russell, west of 113)
• the hilarity of watching a milk coma victim
  
• how to change diapers (Sam already knew)
• the importance of putting the next diaper under the one you're about to take off - I averted a disaster once with this newfound knowledge
  
• 60 ml. of milk can be a great meal, depending on your size
  
• there is nothing sadder than a grieving parent who lost a little one
  
• good nurses can tell you bad news and make it feel okay
• other nurses can tell you good news and make you frustrated
• nurses seem to do everything at the hospital, while doctors give rubber stamps
• nurses who "teach" and "talk" are more helpful than nurses who only "do"
  
• our family and friends are the best
  
• hospital juice boxes are tasty - and the jello isn't as bad as people say
• a baby's cry can be very satisfying
• Sam looks beautiful even after popping out a baby
• all hospital rooms should be required to have ESPN - the last room we were in didn't have it, for some reason, and Sam almost cried (oh wait... that was me)
• umbilical cords are hard to cut, but would be fun toys
• hospital "security" isn't secure
• the best thing about a hospital stay is leaving with everything/everyone you came with
  

I could go on... but I'll spare you. I should note that our relationship with the nurse we had a hard time with this week was much improved by the end of our stay. Initial miscommunication was the problem, and it felt good to make things right by the end.

Going home never felt so good...




Before leaving, Siena had to get her hearing checked... she looked like she was rocking out. Her ears work (phew!), so I don't have to learn sign language... seriously, that was my biggest concern... I'm so selfish.



















Sam and Siena both look happy that the end of our stay is in sight...

































Siena is swimming in her car seat... she's too small for it!

































A nurse teaching us how to strap Siena into her throne...




















Sam chillaxin' with Siena at home... so peaceful.

































Mom Nicholson holding Baby for the first time... but looking like a pro... because she is. :)