(I wrote this write after Kekoa was discharged, but just posting today! Check out the video at the end of the post!)We were finally all discharged from the hospital , Saturday, August 22nd. It has been the hardest past 3 days of our lives and labor was the easy part. I labored au natural, without an Epidural, after being induced with Cervadil....the worst drug on the planet. I was in labor of a total of about 34 hours, most of it was actually quite enjoyable...a lot of laughing, walking, eating, waiting. Kekoa Kai was born at 1:37 pm on August 19th. What an ironic thing that he was born during one of my prenatal yoga classes.
Kekoa was taken less than 2 hours after being born to the Lucille Packard Special Care Nursery, aka a neonatal intensive care unit. He never even made into my recovery room with me. The nurses noticed he was breathing very fast. The pediatrician came in and said they would take him for 2-4 hours of observation. I was thinking, "OK, he'll be back soon and I can hold him again." He was in the Special Care Nursery until yesterday. It was so awful to be in a hospital recovery, not pregnant, but not with your new baby either. Scott and I have had a very rough past few days. We are so lucky to have such a great and supportive family and friends.
We could go and visit him whenever we wanted to and the unit was right down the hall from us, but it is really not the same. It kills you to see your helpless new born son with all the tubes in his feet and wires attached all over his body. The nurses and doctor there were so amazing, caring, and understanding. I learned so much from all of them about newborn care and breast feeding. As if breast feeding isn't challenging enough, I had to attempt it with my baby and all his tubes and wires! We persevered though and it was just wonderful to spend anytime with him that I could. Scott and I went to as many feedings as we possibly could.
I was discharged from the hospital on Friday and Kekoa had to stay. Oh my gosh...talk about the worst feeling ever! But now we are home!! Yahoo!!! It was the best news to hear yesterday, "Would you like to take your baby home today?" What a huge relief! In addition to our wedding day, yesterday was the happiest day of our live.
My dad came to the hospital and brought the balloons and flowers that had been given to us and took our first family portraits...Scott, me, and Kekoa. We then headed to my dads for a little food and celebration before heading home. Kaiwei (my little brother) kept wanting to touch the new baby. It was very cute. We took several pictures under the "Congratulations" sign that I had actually purchased way back in June for a surprise graduation party for Scott. That sign has come in handy for so many things now, Scott getting a job interview, Scott getting a job, birthdays, and now Kekoa's coming home. Uncle Mango (my brother) came right as we were about to leave and was able to join the picture festivities. It felt so good for all of us to snuggle with Kekoa without all his wires and tubes. He is such a good, cute, and snuggly baby!
Off to home for the best homecoming ever. Our next door neighbors, Cassie and Brad, are the kindest people on the planet. They had balloons tied to the railing, even a Happy Birthday balloon with Kekoa's name on it! There was a big banner across the building greeting Kekoa home. They were all so excited, their little girl was jumping up and down, chanting, "The baby is here, the baby is here, the baby is here!" Cassie made us the most beautiful and delicious dinner last night, sweet corn on the cob, delicious taco salad with all these yummy tomatoes and veggies, and brownies for dessert. She also came over to help me with nursing since she had a little one and went through the newborn "stuff" last year. Their thoughtfulness made the day that much more special.
Daddy feeding me a bottle. I'm only 4 days old...no more bottle for me though. I'm only nursing now! Yeah me!
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