Porter House: Parker's First Month

Parker's first month was full of firsts, joys, adjustments and special moments between big brother and little brother. I love being a family of 4 and as Preston puts it, "our family is full now mommy!"

Welcome Home!!

Parker's first week was a bit of a doozy as we learned very quickly all about jaundice. At his 2 day appointment, his pediatrician was concerned about his color and wanted us to go get his bilirubin tested. We went next door to the hospital and a couple hours later learned his level was at a 10. His pediatrician said to go back the next day and get it checked again. He was hoping that his bilirubin would go down since my milk was starting to come in but when we went back, his results came back at 14. The next day, we got him tested again and I was really hoping it hadn't gone up because my milk was finally in but sadly it came back at 16. The doctor said we needed to start the light treatment right away. Not only was it extremely hard to watch your 1 week old get his foot pricked everyday but now we were going to have to put him through the light treatment. Luckily, they have made advancements in treating jaundice and can down bring the light bed to your home so they didn't have to stay at the hospital to get the treatments. The next day we got his levels checked again and praise the Lord, his level went DOWN to 13.5!!! We continued the light treatment that day and the next day his levels tested 10.4. We were finally in the clear. It was weird thou because you could see his color changing on his body back to normal but his head was still orange. The doctor said that would even out as the bilirubin started to leave his body.

(July 27) 2 day appointment, 6lbs 14oz, jaundice level of 10

(July 28) jaundice level of 14

(July 29) jaundice level of 16, 7lbs 1.5oz, start light treatment

(July 30) jaundice level 13.5

(Aug 1) jaundice level 10.4 albs 3.5oz

2 day appointment