Sunday, April 13, 2008

A little scary...


Hey everyone-
Sorry it has been a couple of days (that feel like weeks!) but we have been having some adventures down here! We had to take Coop to the doctor yesterday morning for a weight check to see how things were going and we didn't get the best review...he had lost 13 oz since birth which was more than the pediatricians like to see. The doc was optimistic since my true breast milk had started to come in, but we have to go back in the morning to make sure he is making adequate progress in the weight department.
While we were at the doctor's office I mentioned that he was looking a little jaundiced (yellow) and wanted to make sure he didn't think it was too bad. The doctor didn't seem too concerned, but sent off a bilirubin sample just to double check, especially given the significant weight loss.
Needless to say, we didn't get the best news about the bilirubin levels either--they were a little on the high side, so all day yesterday Cooper was confined to a "bili blanket" which is basically like a mini tanning bed that helps the little guy break down the excess bilirubin. Ryan and I were really worried and stressed about all of this news yesterday morning and were pretty discouraged, but we kept working hard on the feeding and my milk finally made a GRAND entrance and things have been going much more smoothly since then.
This morning a home health nurse came to check his weight and bilirubin levels and we were ecstatic to see that he had gained 5.5 oz in one day!!! He just needed to eat! :) His bilirubin levels also came down substantially, so we were able to stop the bili-blanket this morning. Overall, we are quite relieved and feel blessed that he turned around so quickly. He has been eating like a champ (as would be expected with the parents he has) and is just adorable.
We are so blessed to have such a strong little man and we are so thankful for everyone's love and support. I am going to post a few pics...some of which he is a little yellow in for everyone's entertainment!! Lots of love from the Pettit family! Check out our new pics below!
Katie

4 comments:

Courtney said...

I'm so glad he is doing better! We have been thinking of you guys!

Anonymous said...

Wow, sounds like there's never a dull moment! Seriously, I can't imagine, so I'm not going to pretend to. I'll just continue to read on and pray that one day soon you can get some well deserved sleep! I'm so glad he's doing better! Thinking about you guys . . . and will try to stay updated through the website. Love you!!

Anonymous said...

So the milk is in...little Cooper was just waiting on those big boobs to produce :) Really though, sounds like things are getting better by the day! Thinking of you guys! Love ya!

Katherine said...

So glad to read that Coop is doing better! I love all the pictures you guys have posted. He is soooo precious!! Can't wait to me him! Love you guys!