Welcome Home Baby Kateli!

Yes, I was home, but our baby was still in the hospital. In fact, Kateli was in the hospital for 2 weeks following her birth. She had initially been admitted to the NICU because the doctors felt that she needed to be on oxygen for a few days. Yet, after the first day, Kateli's little lungs were strong enough that she was taken off the oxygen and allowed to just breathe on her own. What a blessing! After that, the she remained in the hospital until the doctor was comfortable with Kateli's eating habits. She wanted to see that baby was eating on her own (whether by breast or by bottle) and no longer needing the feeding tube. Kateli took very well to nursing from the beginning, however, she would fall asleep and the remaining of her meal had to be tube fed.

Mommy and Kateli

Daddy and Kateli

On Dec 14th, the nurse delivered the news that we had been waiting to hear for days. The doctor signed Kateli's discharge and she could come home with us! Kateli was eating on her own, and there was no longer a need for her to be away from home. We have to admit that, though we were anxious to bring her home, we felt a little blindsighted by the news. There was no preparation and had daddy not come to visit during his lunch hour he would have missed on the excitement first hand.

We quickly learned that it wasn't just a matter of getting discharge orders from the doctor and we could be on our way--not at all. Kateli was sent home on an Apnea monitor, and a daily dosage of caffeine to help with the apnea. We had to get trained on how to use the monitor, pick up the caffeine prescription from the pharmacy before we could leave; Kateli had to complete a car seat test in the NICU and we had to sign papers. Finally once all of that was completed and after nearly 2 1/2 months, we were going home with our new baby girl.

Meeting Family

Prior to the hospital stay, we were scheduled to spend Thanksgiving at tia Marta’s house this year. However, plans changed and the whole family came to visit us to make it a special thanksgiving in the hospital. Mom cooked the traditional turkey, and we had panes con pavo, like we do every year. It was wonderful to have them all visit, because it made it feel more like home. Although my brother, sister and brother in law left after thanksgiving, they were back the Thursday following Kateli’s birth to meet her. My parents, on the other hand, stayed with us through the baby’s birth and my return home from the hospital.







We would have loved it, had baby not been in the NICU. It would have made introductions so much easier, but that’s not the way it worked out. Since you were in the NICU, we had to figure out a way of getting grandma, grandpa, aunt and uncle to meet baby. At the NICU, only two people were allowed at baby’s bedside, and one had to be a parent. So, essentially daddy and I took turns going into visit baby and bringing in a family member. Oh, everyone was so excited to see you, to touch your little hands, to see your sweet face and to hold you in their arms. It was special to see grandma Marlene hold her first grand-daughter. Aunt Marta got to hold you as well, and so did Uncle Walter. It was so sad when they had to go back to home.