Backtrack...

Since we have only just started this blog there are a few months to catch up on.
Nearly a week after Samantha was born we took her to a free newborn assessment at the hospital. For the most part she was doing fine, but we were a little worried about how yellow she was looking, and asked the nurse to check and see how jaundiced she was. The nurse drew some blood, and a few hours later the hospital called us at home to tell us that Samantha's bilirubin levels were high enough to cause some concern. They told us to bring her in so she could be admitted to the hospital.
We ended up staying in the pediatric ward for about 24 hours with Samantha under the bilirubin lights. She would scream and cry every time we put her in the incubator, so we eventually positioned the lights over her while she slept on Chris' chest. Needless to say, it was a very long 24 hours for everyone.

We were able to bring her home Saturday evening, but we had to bring the bili blanket with us. It's basically a fiberoptic pad that we had to keep against her skin so it could continue to break down the bilirubin in her system. By Monday afternoon her levels had dropped to a more normal range and we were able to return the blanket to the hospital.

Jaunice may be a common newborn ailment, but that didn't make it any easier for us to deal with. I would just as soon never have to spend another night in the hospital with her again. Thankfully it was only one night, and it wasn't anything more serious.