Day 5

Today, 13 years ago, we realized we were going to be at the hospital for longer than anticipated. Or more accurately, I don't think we thought about how long we would be there. We had been staying at the hotel inside the hospital, which was great but pricey. We checked into whether or not we could stay at the Ronald McDonald House, after all, with my many years of service with the Golden Arches, I knew a lot about the benifits. Unfortunately, it was full. We needed to come home to get some more clothes and other essentials. I needed warm clothes, as I was still freezing up there. We also did some power shopping for Steven. He looked so cold to me, so I bought him some baby undershirts (not the onesies), a pack of beanies for his head, and some sewing supplies. While Jerry drove back to the hospital, I modified the shirts by cutting the shoulder and making it snap so we could take it on and off around the IV lines. Now my baby could have a warm head with the beanies and a warm chest with the shirts. I was satisfied. My parents and my sister were with Steven while I was gone. When I came back, mom and sis had been shopping and bought him several 6-9 month size outfits, since the body cast added so much to his size the newborn clothes we had for him were not going to work. I must say these were the best investment ever---when he came out of the cast, he did go down in size, then he wore the 6-9 month clothes a second time as he grew. My mom also gave him a stuffed lamb that they allowed him to have in his bed. We kept it by his head so he could have a soft friend. After we got back, I finally was allowed to hold my baby post surgery. The nurses helped me sit in a chair, and arranged his tubes for me after they handed him to me. My sweet, snuggly, baby was now stiff because of the cast. But he was such a trooper.