Second day...

I woke up early the second day and called the nursery right away. I wanted them to bring my son in to me. But they told me that the doctor was going to be coming in to check on him soon and then he would be circumcized. They would bring him to me afterwards. After what seemed like an eternity, they wheeled him into my room. They showed me his little book where they kept track of his wet and dirty diapers, when he ate and how much, etc. They showed me how to change his diaper and take care of the circumcision wound. Then they left me with him.

I was alone with him and didn't really know what to do. I was still very sore and was supposed to be getting up to walk around as much as possible. So we just hung out in my room. We had more visitors and everyone got to hold the baby.

He didn't cry much but when he did it was the most heartbreaking and wonderful sound. Heartbreaking because he sounded so sad. Wonderful because it was just so funny. I couldn't help laughing at him when he cried because it was so high pitched and tiny.

Another thing that he did was make a little 'O' with his mouth. It was almost a permanent expression on his tiny little face. So cute.

He looked much better today. He skin was pink and his lips and nails didn't look so dark in contrast. We had him bundled up in the hospital blanket and I learned how to swaddle him.

When he was with me, he was in one of those wheeled bassinets. There is a drawer stocked with supplies and all of the nurses told me to take whatever I could every time it was in my room. They would re-stock it when I returned him to the nursery. So I stashed all of the petroleum jelly, gauze pads, pre-mixed formula, diapers. I thought for sure I would be set for a couple of weeks with all of the stuff we took. I felt like I was at a hotel and snatching all of the samples.

The hospital was pretty boring but I liked it best when there were no visitors and I was alone with the baby. Sometimes I would sit and watch TV and he would be sleeping in his bassinet. I was afraid to hold him all the time because I didn't want to spoil him. I didn't find out until a week later that you can't spoil a newborn and can hold them as long as you or he wants. But I let him sleep on his own for a while. When I couldn't stand it anymore, I decided to make my move and get him. But I was in so much pain. So I just sat up as much as possible, wheeled the cart over to the side of the bed. I reached in and grabbed a big handful of blanket with one hand and lifted him out. It felt very primal. You know, how a mother cat grabs the baby kitten by the scruff of the neck. Well I didn't grab the scruff but that is how it felt. I probably would have been yelled at if someone saw me do it. But he was so wrapped up that I was able to lift him in one big bundle. Then we cuddled and I never wanted that moment to end.