Home Life

Cooper’s first night at home was...eventful. He wouldn’t sleep at all between about 4 am and 9:30 am. We experienced a poop explosion and a pee geyser. He halfway pulled out his feeding tube twice, and then while I was changing him it got caught on the edge of the bassinet and yanked completely out. 😩 It was traumatic for everyone involved. 

After 9:30 things got a lot better. Grandparents provided a bit of a reprieve, bagels showed up, and Mat and I were able to get naps in. The grandparents have stepped up big time, and we are endlessly appreciative! They’re not just here to visit - they’re working hard too!

Most of our time revolves around Coop’s meals. He needs to eat every three hours, which typically involves a main course of fortified breast milk in a bottle, usually followed by a gourmet tube-fed dessert. Twice a day, he’s presented with a special appetizer of breast milk straight from the source. His 2-3 course meals typically take about an hour to 90 minutes. On top of that, I also need to pump 7 or 8 times a day to make sure he continues to have enough for his bottles/tube feeds. The grandparents have been lifesavers, stepping in to help with the ancillary tasks like helping to wash bottles, pump parts, and feeding syringes; changing diapers, doing laundry, and providing excessive amounts of cuddles and love to the little guy. 

My mom is staying with us (and has been since the night before I went into labor) and I don’t know if we could pull this whole thing off without her, honestly. She’s not only a workhorse but an incredible role model as I assume my new role as a mama!

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that Mat and I have exchanged glances of “Oh God what have we done???!!” several times over the past day and a half. But we also have had great moments as well. Getting to know Cooper better, enjoying a few quiet moments of family snuggles, and celebrating small successes like Coop finishing a full bottle, us accurately placing a new feeding tube at 4 am on the first try, and the departure (finally!) of his little umbilical stump!