Since during my pregnancy I posted weekly bump dates (more or less!) I thought it would be fun to continue with Owen updates, at least for the first month or two. Just a fun, quick weekly post with some of my favorite pictures from that week, some fun and cute moments of note, and whatever facts/stats I may have. I regret not documenting Ryan’s first year better, and I’d be lying if I said this post was more for me than anyone else, but I like reading updates for others’ kiddos so I figured a few of you may like this. Make sure you follow me on Instagram to see all the baby pictures I post!
Just a warning: this post will be longer than any future posts since his first week was definitely an exciting and eventful one.
I’m not going to touch on the birth here since I’ll be sharing his birth story (it’s mostly written on my phone.) hopefully this week, so I’ll start this week’s post on March 15, with the brothers meeting. Ryan loves Owen already and it makes my heart explode. He always wants to look at him and touch him, and calls him “deedee!” or in less toddler terms, “baby!” We call him his baby, and these pictures of their first “meeting” are my favorite. Side note: does anyone else think that he looks VERY Lord Voldemort with his face like that?
I was SHOCKED by how BLONDE Owen is. Ryan was born with dark, dark newborn hair which fell out and grew back in much lighter/dirty blonde. Owen’s hair is so dang blonde. The one nurse we had kept saying he had highlights – and considering that some spots are almost white in the light, it definitely seems that way!
So, Owen tested Coombs positive, which in layman’s terms means that he and I have different blood types and they mixed during delivery. His blood needed to get rid of mine, and it was basically taking too long, making him jaundiced. His second night at the hospital they decided his bilirubin levels were high enough to necessitate him being wrapped in this UV light blanket, aka what I deemed to be baby’s first rave. He was fine in it for a few hours, but then started to get sweaty and HATED it. Poor kid.
They almost didn’t let us leave when his bilirubin levels still rose after the phototherapy, but we were allowed to go home, where both boys hung out in the bouncer (at different times, don’t worry).
We were all really bummed when we got a call at 7 pm on Thursday to bring him to the hospital as soon as possible because his levels had risen again. Into the light box he went! Thankfully he enjoyed it, since when his levels rose AGAIN the next morning, he was stuck in it all day long.
Finally, his levels began to go down Friday afternoon. I was supplementing nursing by”topping him off” with a bottle of pumped milk to make sure that he was under the light as long as possible and still full – the more baby eats/gets rid of it, the quicker the bilirubin leaves the system.
On Saturday we got the best news ever – we were being discharged!!!! No greater feeling, my friends. After only spending one night at home since Monday it was a dream to walk into our little house. You forget how nice simple, everyday things can be. Plus, I really really missed my big boy.
All in all, it’s been a very busy and eventful first week. I’m so excited to see what the next week holds for our little dude!
Lindsey says
Sooo sweet 🙂 I haven’t heard about the different blood types before… Our little man LOVES babies and wants to hold them 🙂 Too cute!
Morgan says
I’d never heard of it either, but apparently it’s mostly no big deal and super common. Owen was a little early so his liver wasn’t totally ready for that, which is why it became a bigger deal. Ryan is dyiiinngg to hold Owen, but on account I’ve seen him fling/crush much heavier things, we’re keeping it to a minimum/petting his head hahaha
Kate says
Oh man, I know you must be a cool mama when you compare your child to Lord Voldemort! that made me laugh out loud!
Owen is freaking adorable, just like Ryan. Sorry you had to spend so much time in the hospital. It’s kind of funny because usually they are rushing you out! I am glad you are safe and sound at home. Can’t wait to read more!
Morgan says
bahahahah I’ll have to post the comparison my dad and I made – we took that picture of Voldemort smiling and put it on top of the Ryan picture and it’s pretty much the funniest thing on Earth!
I think the worst part about the hospital, at least, the first one, was that they WERE rushing me out – just not Owen. And since I’m nursing and, uhh, I just waited 9 months to meet him, I was not a fan of that plan!
Ellie says
What a cute little bean! You are so blessed! Let me know what to pray for you about (even if it’s happy things, everyone needs prayer) 🙂
Morgan says
Thanks so much Ellie! I think just 2 happy, healthy boys is all I need these days 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Oh man! I’m so sorry he had to do that, but I’m glad it was a relatively simple fix (although I’m sure it didn’t feel that way at the time.) Glad you are back home. Looking forward to the birth story.
Morgan says
We’re very thankful that all he needed was to sit under the light – if it progresses, some babies need full transfusions to get the other blood out of their system which sounds terrifying!
Gretchen | Gretchruns says
Last week was crazy so I completely missed your birth announcement, so a very belated congratulations to you! The pictures of Ryan are absolutely heart melting..he looks so precious and awe struck. I can tell he’s going to be an amazing big brother 🙂 Congratulations again mama!
Morgan says
Thanks Gretchen! So far he’s definitely been such a fantastic big brother – he’s pretty obsessed!!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
Oh Morgan, he is TOO cute! Ryan looks completely enamoured with his little brother in those photos! I am sure they will be the best of buddies <3
Hope you're doing well, gorgeous! xo
Morgan says
Thank you so much, Kristy! Ryan is already so in love with Owen, which is a HUGE relief to me!
alexandra @ my urban family says
The photos are all so adorable! 🙂 And I love that Ryan is already in love with him!
Morgan says
He’s totally obsessed. We were worried about how he’d react to having some of the attention not be on him any more, but he’s so, so good with him. We joke that his only issue is that he loves too much ahhah
sarah says
That picture of Ryan seeing baby Owen is just priceless, too cute!
Morgan says
Thanks, Sarah!!
Edye says
What a handsome little man 🙂 Sorry to hear you had a rough first week, hopefully this week will be better. Ryan’s face when he first saw Owen was so precious. Such sweet moments <3
Blessings to you and your family,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee
Morgan says
Thank you so much, Edye! The first week was definitely rough, but totally worth it to be able to bring home Ryan’s little brother!