Our baby went a bit orange on us, so she and I spent a fun-filled 24 hours or so in the NICU for phototherapy to lower her bilirubin levels. Going back to the hospital definitely wasn't something we'd planned on, but it wasn't as terrible as it could have been, since they had a room with a cot and a shower so I could sleep between overnight feedings and I was able to keep nursing her on schedule (and as a bonus, one of the nighttime nurses was also a lactation consultant, and she taught me how to make Felicity a more efficient eater, which has made our lives much easier already).
See how she's sort of Oompah Loompah-like here? (Yet still, let's be honest, exceedingly cute).
Despite the relative mildness of the whole situation, I will fully cop to having stood at her isolette sobbing when I first saw her in there with the wee shades on, glowing purple under the UV lights. I felt like a giant ass, because as NICU situations go, a little jaundice is so not a big deal, and we only had to be there one night. And as it was, Felicity looked like a HOSS next to all those tiny preemies (we were in the "Step-Down" room, which is for the babies who are soon to be discharged, but even so she was like Monster Baby in comparison).
Nevertheless, we like our baby at home and easily within snuggling distance, especially since Grammie and Granddad came all this way to spend time with her.
I'm dying -- seriously DYING -- to write the damn birth story already. I will try! I'll get started on it! Just as soon as I stop kissing this face long enough to type it out.
(Blessedly pink again, save for the orange stripe over her eyes from the shade thingies.)
That last picture gives me goosebumps. Beautiful.
Posted by: daysgoby | March 20, 2010 at 08:00 PM
Wow, she even looks good in orange! That's proof that you have a very cute baby :) Glad she's the right color again!!!
Posted by: Dianna | March 20, 2010 at 08:02 PM
I don't know how you couldn't cry seeing your baby in an isolette, even if it's for a relatively minor reason.
I'm so glad she's back home and just barely orange now!
However, prepare for a return to oompa loompa land when you start feeding her sweet potatoes! Luckily, you'll be able to wipe the orange off in that go-round.
She is unbelievably cute! Of course!
Posted by: Kader | March 20, 2010 at 08:28 PM
i agree, she is cute in orange and pink : ) the photo of baby and daddy is beautiful.
Posted by: beyond | March 20, 2010 at 08:31 PM
She is PRECIOUS! I can't wait to get my hands on her tomorrow!!
Posted by: Laura | March 20, 2010 at 09:26 PM
She's so beautiful. I, of course, kept up through regular e-mailing with your mom, which was awesome (and slightly hilarious, as I felt like I was cheating on you by getting the info from someone else.)
I have a few pics of Sam when she was orange and let me tell you, they FREAK me out when I look at them, because, uhh, she was really orange. Like, REALLY orange and ... well, I had no idea, I just thought I birthed a tan baby. True story.
Plus -- and this is rich -- when she was jaundiced during her first few days, we were keeping her a bit too warm (which we quickly remedied, once we realized it, by refusing to keep the house any warmer than 55 degrees) so I have photos where she literally looks like a freakin' CARROT.
That photo of her asleep on your mom with her little arm? I DIE.
Posted by: jonniker | March 20, 2010 at 09:50 PM
Your baby is soooo cute!
Posted by: Lisa | March 20, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Oh my gosh, baby expressions are so endearing... and hilarious. I'm glad her issues resolved so quickly.
Posted by: H | March 21, 2010 at 11:11 AM
I'll bet she snuck into the self-tanner.
WHAT A CUTE BABY.
Posted by: Swistle | March 21, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Aww, these pictures are so adorable. I'm pretty sure the crying reaction is completely normal, no matter how minor in comparison the visit might be. She's gorgeous.
Posted by: Christine | March 21, 2010 at 12:49 PM
She is totally beautiful and those little ears !! So sweet. Especially the one with Joe.
You are blessed xx
Posted by: Debbie in the UK | March 21, 2010 at 01:43 PM
The cuteness is killing me. Glad she's on the up and up!
Posted by: Ris | March 21, 2010 at 06:30 PM
The pic with Joe is precious, as is the one with your mom, but I'm kind of partial to the pic with the smirk on her face.
Posted by: JoanP | March 22, 2010 at 01:20 AM
Oh I understand! I remember how it felt when I took Adam to the hospital when he had seizures and how little he looked laying on the stretcher in the ER. Glad it ws nothing serious. The picture with Joe makes me teary!
Posted by: kathy | March 22, 2010 at 11:51 AM
I love the impish expression of the close-up. Just like her mother!
Hope all is going well without the grandparental helping hand. Such a pity they couldn't stay - just for a year or two! ;)
Posted by: Twangypearl | March 22, 2010 at 02:12 PM
She is the most adoreable little girl and so pretty. I love that one of her in the bath, and her little belly. She is growing so much already !
Posted by: Debbie in the UK | April 12, 2010 at 08:42 AM