The Big One: NICU

As we get ready to celebrate Grace's birthday this Friday, more on her first few days of life...

Most of the first two weeks in Graceland were spent under the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital. The new 6-pound, 3-ouncer had a tough first 48 hours. After being born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her in such a way that each time mama pushed, her heart rate dropped in half, she was rushed to the NICU and spent the first couple of hours on Earth getting a full, post-natal echocardiogram. The girl just needed a little R and R after being forced from her happy, warm, wet world into this loud, bright land of beeps and boops of the NICU.

Tuckered out? That doesn't even begin to describe it.

After four days, the Gracer had built enough strength to go home, but they were clear that her bilirubin levels needed to be checked the next day to be sure the jaundice didn't return.  After one night in her new home, with her soft bassinet and overly-nervous parents, we got the word that Grace had to go back to the NICU. Not a good night in Graceland.

For Grace, it was like a trip to Club Med, under the warm tanning lights, 24 hours a day.

Not so Club Med-ish for mom, though, since she had no bed. And since she was breast feeding our little sun lover, Jenni had to sleep on the couches in the lounge. She definitely earned her Mama badge during that trip.

Two days of ultraviolet light finally blasted the bilirubin away, and Grace was finally on her way home for good. Her face says it all...