After we visited REI in Brentwood to pick up an order, we drove to the hospital in Walnut Creek. Navigating the labyrinth-like corridors we found the Birthing Center and then were granted access through two separate security doors. We finally had to show our ID when we got into the NICU.
Carolyn and Elizabeth are now swaddled in blankets and the heating system has been turned off. I understand if they gain weight then they don’t need the external heat source. We were again amazed at how small they seem (and are). Most of the photographs we’ve been looking at show their face and body, but don’t show anything to give a sense of scale. Since they are so perfectly formed, we tend to think of them as normal size, but at 4 pounds they are just “half-size” babies.
Carolyn was a real sleepy head and never roused while we were there.
Carolyn
Elizabeth was sleeping too, but since it was her feeding time, she had her diaper changed (which got her good and agitated—in fact she set off her heart-rate alarm) and was given a bottle by the nurse. She took 5 cc’s, got burped, and then wasn’t interested. In fact, it looked like she was going to sleep again, but after being tucked in again, she opened her eyes and was quite alert for some time. She can certainly hear well, because little sharp noises caused her to jump.
Elizabeth
The photos were taken without flash at ISO 1600, so they are a bit noisy and grainy.
Links
—Carolyn at 10 days photo gallery
—Elizabeth at 10 days photo gallery
I LOVE the heart shaped bandage on her cheek holding the nose tube in place! How sweet of those medical professionals to think of that- I love it!!