The NICU

I got to have my first meeting with Parker tonight...I waited for my dad, Grandma Mary, and Grandpa & Grandma Ruiter had their turns and then Uncle Richard and I were up.

Here's how it works in the NICU.  First, you have to sign in at the front desk with a security guard.  They check your driver's license and then print you a photo visitor's badge.  They also ask you if you are feeling healthy - over course no one in their right mind who is sick should be going into the NICU - but they ask anyway.  When you tell them you are healthy, they give you a sticker that says - "I'm a Healthy Visitor".  Then it's up the elevator - from there you must be escorted by a parent.  And because Ashley is recovering from a C-section, Chris is doing all the visits.  You enter the center of the pod area where the parent signs in...mind you, Chris has done this three times by the time we were with him :).  Then you go to the washing station - all jewelry comes off (Grandpa Ruiter hasn't had his wedding ring off in probably 10-years, but you can bet he worked it off to go see Parker) and you wash all the way up to your elbows, long nails get a good cleaning then you pull out your hand towels, dry hands, and then turn off water.  Again...Chris is on his 4th washing :).  Now you are sanitized and can proceed to the room to see the baby.

Parker is in a room that is staffed by a couple nurses for several babies (6, I think).  He is all hooked up to various monitors along with a feeding IV.  His bed is pretty high tech - even measuring his temperature and there is a heater up high that kicks on when he gets a chill.

The deal is you can touch, but not hold.  So I rubbed his foot and his leg and his head and his cheek, and held his hand and talked to him.  Such a sweet boy!!

From what I'm told he doesn't really like the nasal cannula which is why it's taped down so securely.  He has the longest little fingers and toes and the cutest ears EVER.  And he got Ashley's nose and Chris's receeding hairline :)

Based on what the doctor's told Chris and Ashley earlier today, it looks like they will be doing surgery tomorrow.  They are expecting to be able to fold what is on the outside in and close up his belly.  Once this is complete they will be able to evaluate when he can start eating, etc.  Right now he is being "fed" through an IV in the wrist...that big long white brace on his right hand is helping to keep that arm straight and the IV in place. 

I'm hoping to find out more tomorrow morning after Chris and Ashley have had a night's rest and are able to talk to the nurses without feeling exhausted.  If all goes well, he should be home in under the 2-week mark that was originally discussed.

So excited to have been there to meet him so soon!!