He swallows!

So I don't like to get too excited about anything these days, for fear of getting worse news afterwards but... he passed his swallow test! I'm hoping to go over the results with the doctor tomorrow after she's had a chance to look at them but at least he swallows and it goes into his tummy, which is a big first step. Sounds like he might not have the best suck but I guess that can be worked on with OT. Now it's a matter of practicing, just like any other baby, especially one who's been through what he has, would have to do.

I believe it was because of this the nurse, who also happens to be a lactation consultant, asked me if I've tried nursing him yet. I told her not yet but I'd love to so we got to work. How exciting! We didn't get very far but the whole experience was beautiful! The first time I held him he was asleep pretty much the whole time. Not so easy to get a sleeping baby to nurse. The next time, I was in a bit of a hurry because I wanted to get home to have some time with Lila before dinner and to relieve my Mother-in-law . It just makes the evening go so much smoother for all of us.

This would give me about 15-20 minutes to hold the 2nd time around. So when I sat down, instead of taking my top off and putting a hospital gown on which is what I usually do, I just grabbed a clean blankie to put between him and I to alleviate getting the germs off my clothing on him. He was screaming as I tried to hold him, which sometimes happens at first. I was having a bit of trouble calming him down so I thought, why not try what always worked for my daughter, nurse him? So I whipped up my top and tried. He didn't turn away but he didn't really get what to do, especially while he was crying. As our unique biology would work, I was spraying milk all over trying to get him to do it. Such a trip that this happens. Anyway, eventually I asked the nurse to help me take my shirt and bra off so it wasn't shoved up against my chin between us, and I just held him against my shoulder and chest. I've held him many times with my bra on and a hospital gown but this was different. Just feeling his little head, arms and legs against my skin was heavenly! While he was upright in the kangaroo position, I rubbed his head against my cheek and just wanted to eat him up! I'm big on smells and his smell is so yummy! As you could imagine, I was there a bit longer than 15 minutes.

What was so nice is that I came home to a scrumptious meal my friend had dropped off earlier. It was great to walk in and have dinner ready. Lona even stayed for dinner, which she sometimes does when I get home that late. Knowing she's not having to go home and heat something up makes me feel good as well. After dinner, Lila and I walked her out and, after she left, met up with some neighbor friends to play for a while. It was a nice day with some quality time with both of my kids :-)