Basking in the Lights and Clara's First Week

After we got home on Monday afternoon we enjoyed some time together as a family and got Clara all settled in at home.  My mom was fantastic and made us dinner that night and helped us get settled in. It was great to be home and all together again and enjoy letting Calin get used to Clara and having her home.

Clara getting comfy in her bassinet. 

The next day we had to take Clara back to the hospital to have her bilirubin levels checked.  When we left the hospital on Monday they were medium to high risk.  We got the call that afternoon that her levels were still too high and they were sending the bilirubin bed over.  Poor Clara then had to spend all her time basking in the lights.  

 She had to be in there all the time except for while she was being fed or getting a diaper change.  It was very hard for all of us to leave her in there all the time and not hold and play with her.  She handled the lights fairly well until that night.  Tuesday night was rough and she spent quite a bit of time out of the lights because I felt so bad and she was so fussy.  I don't think she liked the "goggles" at all.  The bed had this little drape thing you could use instead of the "goggles" but she kept swatting at the drape and so it didn't stay in place.

Robby enjoying Clara after the doctor waiting to hear if she had to go back into the lights.

We retested her levels the next day and also went to her first doctors check up.  The lady that did her bilirubin test was brutal and poor Clara screamed the whole time the lady was squeezing to get blood out of her heel.  She did great at the doctor and everything looked good! That afternoon we got the call that she needed to stay in the lights another day. This broke all our hearts but we wanted her to get better so I guess you do what you have to!

So we headed into another night of the lights.  Thankfully she did better with the drape the second night and day and so we didn't have to use the "goggles".  We went back a third time to get her tested on Thursday.  I went back to the hospital downtown to have her checked cause I didn't want to end up with that brutal lady at the other hospital.  We came home and enjoyed time with her out of the lights waiting to hear if she was ok.   We finally called in because we got tired of waiting to hear and found out her levels were finally down and she didn't have to use the bed anymore!!!

Robby reading stories while we waited to see if Clara could stay out of the lights! 

Calin enjoying laying "by ya" and having Clara out of the light bed. 

We were so excited that Clara's levels were better and were happy to finally be able to enjoy her fully! 

Robby went in to work a few days that week since my mom was here to help. Calin was happy to have her around to play and I think my mom enjoyed it just as much as he did.  Clara and I did lots of eating and napping whenever we got a chance (she did lots of napping!).   I also enjoyed putting her into her clothes after not being able to get her dressed while in the light bed.  

Coloring with Grandma! 

Cute new outfit from my visiting teachers who also brought dinner on Tuesday!
So grateful for all the great help we had! 

Calin loved holding Clara and giving her hugs and kisses! 

Friday my grandma stopped by to visit and meet Clara.  We love having her so close to us and getting to see her so often!

Grandma, Great Grandma and Clara

On Saturday we enjoyed an outing to watch Gracie's soccer game.  It was nice to get out and walk and enjoy some fresh air!

Calin was watching all the cars drive by on the street behind us.  

Sunday we enjoyed a morning home together and gave Clara her first sponge bath at home.  She seemed to like the water for the most part and is a pretty cute little baby all wrapped up in her towel! 

Calin enjoyed playing with his toothbrush while we were bathing Clara. 

Calin loves having Clara around and he was loving holding her and taking these pictures.  It is rare that he enjoys getting his picture taken! 

I love how it looks like Clara is smiling in this picture. 

 Robby then went to church and meetings to take care of all his bishopric duties while Calin and Clara and I stayed home and enjoyed a lazy Sunday.  That afternoon my mom and dad came over.  My dad had just come down for spring break and my mom got back from Salt Lake where she went to my uncle's birthday party with my grandma.  It was great to have them back and glad my dad got to meet Clara. 

That night we also enjoyed celebrating Clara's one week "birthday"!  We did this with Calin too and enjoyed doing it again to celebrate our little Clara.  Robby also insisted that we have a picture just like the one with Calin that you can see here.  We didn't have any cupcakes this time though so used a donut we had instead.  

What a great first week all together as our family of four!