There's No Place Like Home

Kai finally got to come home!  It has been a crazy few days.  He had to come home on a little oxygen, which we weren't really prepared for since he has been doing so well on room air.  We think that needing the oxygen is due to all the blood that has been taken from him.  His platelets have been low and there has been mention of Kai needing a transfusion but we have been able to hold off because he has been able to make enough red blood cells on his own, but just barely.  He also came home with a monitor which monitors his oxygen saturation and heart rate.  Then we have the trach and g-tube stuff, so there are still lots of wires attached to him.  We are also unable to take Kai out in public for at least three months.  Specifically mentioned were the grocery store and church.  Basically, unless it is one of his many appointments, we need to keep Kai home so he doesn't get sick.

I think that he has enjoyed being home--he certainly seems more relaxed and hasn't been as fussy or spit up as much.  When he does get fussy, all we have to do is pick him up and he calms right down.  Oh, how he loves being held.  He is going to be one spoiled baby, that's for sure.

We have been blessed to have a nurse come in at night and take care of Kai for us so that we can get some sleep.  He has to be in line of sight because although he does cry, with the trach it is a silent cry, so the only thing that would alert us to his distress is the monitor, but that only goes off at extreme levels.    The nurse comes in from 11pm to 7am--and because of having the nurse here, we have put Kai's crib in the living room, which is strange for us, but it working out quite well.  

Zuri is really cute with Kai.  She loves to look at him.  She will climb on the crib and say "look! Baby Kai!"  She always wants to touch his head.  It is really funny.  She hasn't had the opportunity to hold him yet, we have just been so busy, but she will soon.

Kai has also had a chance to spend some time in the swing and bouncer.  He enjoys both but likes being held better.  You can get an idea of how small he is--pictures really do make him look a lot bigger.  He is a newborn size in clothes with a preemie length.  At his doctor appointment yesterday, he weighed in at 5 lbs 9.8 oz. There should be a caution label: objects in picture are much smaller than they appear. ;-)