Birthday

Today is my birthday. Keith & Julie came over, made us a wonderful dinner, and spent a nice evening with us talking and laughing over wine. Keith is definitely on Kyla's list of favorite uncles.

Peanut

Kyla has a new nickname... peanut!

All better

Today the hospital confirmed the Kyla's bilirubin levels have dropped low enough to no longer be a concern. We are now able to take her off the lamp and nap properly.

Jaundice

The doctors have been monitoring Kyla's bilirubin levels. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that occurs from the breakdown of old red blood cells. Jaundice is a common condition in newborn infants caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. Normally the bilirubin is processed in the liver and then deposited in the intestine so it can come out in the stool. Kyla's liver is immature, and it is not keeping up with the bilirubin levels in her system.

This bilirubin monitoring is a major source of the bloodwork that Kyla has had to endure. Today the pediatrician decided that Kyla need treatment to bring her bilirubin levels down. He prescribed home photo therapy, in which Kyla must lay on a bed bathed in blue light for 18 hours a day. The blue light helps to break down the bilirubin under her skin surface, and makes it easier for her liver to break it down further. This is not UV light, so she won't be getting diaper tan lines.

As part of the treatment, a nurse comes to the house every day to check up on her. In addition to checking on the photo therapy, the nurse takes a blood sample, weighs her, and checks her temperature. Once again, the level of medical care we are receiving is amazing.

Daddy duty

Denise is a great mom! She has a great attitude (even after very little sleep) and absolutely adores Kyla. My part in taking care of Kyla is mostly to burp her and change her diapers.

Finally home

We were finally released from the hospital, and got to go home. Denise's Mom & Dad were waiting for us. Grandma Kruger is going to be living with us for a few days, helping us all adjust to our new routines.

Gaining weight

Kyla was born weighing 5 lbs, 13 oz. As with most babies, she lost weight during the first few days. Unlike most babies, she doesn't have a lot of fat reserves on her. So it is very important the she establish a good feeding routine quickly. Fortunately for us, she has. Her low point was at -8%, but she is now gaining from there. We still aren't back to birth weight, but we will be soon.

Testing

It is pretty standard for new born babies receive lots of tests in their first hours. Even more so for premies. Kyla has been hooked up to monitors, pricked, poked, prodded, and pinched. She's had her heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels, and body temperature measured frequently. Nurses come in at all hours of the night to take her vitals. She's had blood work done - multiple heel pricks, and even blood drawn from her vein (which took three attempts). She's been screened for multiple conditions, and even had her hearing checked. Sometimes it feels like such a hassle, but I am really just so amazed at the care provided to us.

And at the end, we get a certificate!

Footprints

One of the many nice little things our hospital did for us, was to make these cute little foot inprints.

Introducing Kyla Paige Need

Catching us by complete surprise, Denise gave birth to our daughter today. An entire month early! I was at work and missed the whole thing (a neighbor drove her to the hospital). I got a voice mail telling me to get to the hospital quickly, and when I called my wife on the way, she held the phone up to our new baby and I got to hear her crying. Amazing.

I am pleased to introduce Kyla Paige Need.

All the stats:

Birth: 4:20pm, September 1, 2006
Weight: 5lb 13oz
Length: 19”

Kyla and Denise and doing great!