Don't try this at home

Yesterday I had a date with my son. It was a big day - I could drive for the first time since January 7th, it was my birthday, and Baby Ben has started to gain back some of the weight he lost. The nurses indulged me by allowing me to hold him for 30 minutes at 1pm, 5pm, and 9pm. However, all of that holding can be overstimulating for a little guy trying to grow - so for the next few days, we're only going to hold him for two sessions. Although all I want to do is unhook him from all of his tubes and monitors, put him in my pocket, and run out of the hospital - I understand that we need to do what's best for Ben instead of what would satisfy our parental desires.

After our 5pm holding, singing, and rocking session - Bella his nurse put Ben on his stomach so the special lights to get rid of jaundice could shine on his back. Before Bella placed him on his stomach, she gave me a BIG lecture that ONLY professionals can put little babies on their stomachs to sleep. For those of you who had children 20 years ago, or who have never been around little babies - apparently the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) increases when babies are on their bellies. So, I promised up and down to NEVER put him to sleep on his stomach. We thought we should document the occasion (we're pretty much documenting everything).

Please notice Ben's new eyeshades. Nurse Judy decorated them by adding lovely eyelashes. Also, please notice the photograph of MP and PP (Momma Pollara and Poppa Pollara) in Ben's isolette. Nurse Barbara was insistent that we decorate Ben's isolette. Someday soon, hopefully, Ben will not need to wear the eyeshades and so can stare at the picture of his goofy parents.

A Poem for Baby Ben

Dear Ben,

Your spiffy hat is where it's at

Your velcro stickers

will get no snickers

from us!

Please come to a book club meeting soon!

Cindy*

*this poem arrived in our inbox this morning, after BP had emailed Momma's Bookclub. Thanks Cindy for the Ode to Ben's Outfit

A Banner Day for Baby Ben

Today was pretty amazing. First, when Auntie Jane and I got to the hospital, we learned that Ben had graduated to his own "condo". This means he's doing better at regulating his own body temperature.

Then, we also learned that Ben had started back on breast milk through a feeding tube. They had tried on Sunday, but he didn't digest it. This time, he was digesting it perfectly - and his bowels were working properly as well (great news for a worried momma).

Then, tonight while Nick and I were visiting, I casually asked nurse Kate about "Kangaroo Care." My cousin Michael told me that when his son Elliot was born prematurely, they used this technique of holding the baby against the parents' bare chest. Apparently the skin to skin contact is really good for the little ones. I thought BP would have to get to a certain weight before we could try this. But no, Kate smiled and asked if we wanted to try it NOW. ABSOLUTELY!! As you can see from the above pictures - both BP and MP(momma pollara) are amazingly content. During the Kangaroo Care, all of Ben's vitals evened out. It was fascinating - his breathing and heart rate became stronger and more regular. Yeay for Kangaroo Care!

More importantly, YEAY for Baby Ben. He's doing great.

A few pictures for the grandparents

Here are a couple shots for the grandparents. We call the first picture "Ben as Movie Star".

The second picture was taken in Nick's arms. You can get a sense of how tiny this kid is by looking at Nick's hand under him.

Gosh we love him!

Who is that masked man?

What a grand day yesterday was!! When Grandma Marcia and I arrived at the Special Care Nursery around noon, Ben was off his CPAP (the scary looking breathing tubes up his little nose)! Grace, his Monday nurse, totally shocked us by telling me that I could hold him.

Hold him!! Unbelievable!!! Grace wrapped him up in blankets, popped a little hat on his very little (and sort of cone shaped) head, and placed him right in my arms. He opened his eyes, stared right at me for 30 minutes as we talked, laughed, and sang a little song together. It was truly amazing.

Last night we came back for Daddy Nick to get his fill.

(We don't always wear masks, but we were concerned that our lack of sleep is turning into sore throats)

And he lives up to his nickname

As many of you recall - while I was pregnant I referred to our baby as BP.

When Nick and I decided on names, way back when, we chose Benjamin (Ben) for a boy and Anna for a girl. Eventually, I combined the two Ben+Anna and just started calling him Banana Pollara. Thus, BP. BP also became short for Baby Pollara and Ben Pollara. But mostly, we called him Banana.

BP was born very LONG and very SKINNY. Much like a Banana. And now the little guy has jaundice. So he is in fact, yellow. Aunt Jane pointed out that he is now even more like a Banana. We love that he is living up to his nickname, but are now wondering if we should have called him Albert Einstein as a nickname.

To help take care of the jaundice Ben is laying on a light bed, which glows blue. A bank of lights shines down on him as well. In order to protect his eyes, he has on a little eye mask - reminiscent of what Hollywood starlets like to wear to bed. He is also surrounded by an oval of soft blankets. Because he is so long and gangly, he often throws his arms and legs over the sides of the oval.

Basically, our little guy looks like he is floating on a raft, wearing sunglasses, and getting a tan. He looks very hip and very peaceful. We'll post a picture as soon as we can.

xoxo,
the proud mamma

Welcome to the World BP

BP on Thursday March 23rd, about 12 hours after arriving.

Well, here he is folks, our amazing Baby Ben Pollara! He arrived, much to the surprise of his parents and doctors, Wednesday March 22nd at 10:50 pm. He weighed in at a whopping 3.9 pounds and is 17 inches long. Taking after his brilliant dad, he passed his first test with flying colors, scoring a 9 on the Apgar test. Taking after his mom, he cried immediately upon entering the world.

As Momma Pollara was on bedrest from January 8th, Ben's parents hadn't taken any childbirth classes. She was going to schedule a home class after she had passed her 32nd week. But, she did spend weeks watching those birth shows on the Discovery Channel. Poppa Pollara had never even seen a birth on tv. Needless to say, both were feeling a bit unprepared when the doctor informed them that there was no stopping BP's arrival into the world.

But, thanks to the loving care of Dr. Chitour and nurses Pam, Esta, and Sveta - BP's birth was calm and compassionate - a fine way to enter the world. He's now the most popular little guy in the Special Care Nursery - having already won the hearts of all of the nurses and neonatal doctors.

Clearly he has won our hearts.

Please send Ben even more "Grow Grow Grow" wishes.

xoxo,

Susan