So, we got home from the hospital on Saturday night and were told to go back to the office on Monday morning for a routine weight check and jaundice/bilirubin check. After we left, they told us that they would call us with the results of Maggie's bilirubin levels. That was that. We left, went to babies r us, ate lunch, and went back home for Molly to nap.
We were sitting on the couch and the phone rang. The caller ID said "Raintree Pediatrics" (yes, it is saved in my phone). I answered it and the nurse told me that they called in some ear drops for Molly's double ear infection (yes...she has tubes!). Then she said, "And I have the results for Maggie, her level is 19.6". After working in the area of the hospital that I work in, I knew that was high. I tried to hold it together. She then went on to say that Dr. Cook wanted her to be a direct admit to the hospital for some phototherapy. We also had the option of staying at home with a bili blanket. That would take longer and we would have to go have blood drawn every 12 hours. No thanks! She kept telling us that Dr. Cook really recommended that we go to the hospital through with her lab values. She said that Dicky and I could talk about it and call her back. So, I hung the phone up and that is when I lost it. Was it really a huge deal? No, but I was so exhausted and not expecting that phone call. We were just getting used to being a family of four at home. We decided to do what the dr. recommended and go on up to the hospital.
So, I called my sweet friend, Rachel. What a good friend! She was about to have a baby any day and she still dropped what she was doing and came over to stay with Molly until my parents could get there. Thank you so much Rachel!
Thank you also to my parents who took such great care of Molly. My poor parents had to put ear drops in Molly's ears for her ear infection and eye drops every three hours because she was getting over pink eye!
I felt so good about the care that Maggie was getting because it was all of my friends that I work with. We felt right at home! We were there for three days. Here are a few pictures of our bathing' beauty.
Just chillin'!
It is a lengthy process because she had to be under the lights and check her level every 12 hours. According to what it was, she had to stay under the lights longer. Once it came down to a lower level, she had to stay there, not under the lights, and then have her blood checked to see what her body did on its own. On Tuesday night, her level was around 12 or 13. Dr cook said that she could spend the night not under the lights. I was so happy because that meant I could finally hold, swaddle, and cuddle with her. If she stayed under 12, then she could go home the next morning. So, after another heal stick to check her level, it was 11.9! We got to go home!
Molly shared her toys with her little sister!
And... we're off!
Once we got home, Grandma and Aunt Peggy were Maggie's first visitors.
I will never forget that night. Lori brought us pizza, and it was amazing! After we ate, we gave Molly her bath and then she went to pick out some books to read. This was another moment that I will never forget. Molly wanted her new "baby" to sit and read with us. This is one of those pictures that will make my heart melt 20 years from now. It was such a sweet time. We were home with Maggie and I was sitting in this tiny chair, with both of my babies in my lap. It makes me want to cry just posting this. Yup, tearing' up right now. I am so thankful for all that the Lord has given us and I love these girls with all of my heart.
