Hooray! Rebekah's in the Clear!

In the earlier blog I indicated I would update everyone on Rebekah's bilirubin issues....well, I'm happy to report that despite two heels that look like pin cushions, she is done with phototherapy and on her way to being a normal newborn (although a little yellow). Finally, we got a bilirubin result today that demonstrates a reduction in her level without the use of phototherapy. She seems to be even nursing better today (although, that could simply be me having a better outlook on life).

I'll tell you what, these hormones are enough to make a husband run scared! Last night I started crying just because I was sure I was dehydrating my baby and making her jaundice worse. Billy just kind of looked at me like, "are you on drugs?" and put his arms around me and let me cry. I think I need a little more sleep. Being a nurse is NOT good when you have a newborn; especially when you're so militant about no bottles and only breastmilk.

I can say, however, that I'm mighty proud of myself. I made a pact this pregnancy that I wouldn't give up, that I needed to have one last breastfeeding experience with my last baby. Despite intensive care in the hospital (where they demand bottle feeding, unless you're a nurse who demands gavage feeding because you're a breastfeeding nazi), readmission into the hospital for severe jaundice and persistent high bilirubin levels, it looks like we've made it. Now, I have to begin the long stretch of commitment for 6 months of mostly breastmilk and very little formula.

This will be hard considering I go back to work at the end of March. I have rented a hospital grade pump so that I can make sure that my girl gets the best. It will be interesting to see if Rebekah ends up with chronic ear infections like Liam and Rachel who had little to no breastmilk. It will be my own personal study.

Anyway, enough about boobs and milk....

I found out today that one of my dearest friends is moving to Idaho. I am sad for me, but happy for her. She has been a rock for me in the church, my second visiting teaching partner and an extraordinary example in the gospel to me. Her daughter is best friends with Emma and her son is a good friend to Liam. Why is it that friends have to move away? It seems like in Las Vegas that all my friends move away....I guess that's because we live in Sin City and it's not exactly the best place if you're LDS with no family support.

By the way, as you can see, this blog is supposed to be Billy's blog, but I keep hijacking it....boy isn't that a shocker!