Hospital Hospitality

Baby Cole is here!

Both mother and son are doing very well. Kathleen is already walking all over. She even told me she's not taking some of her pain pills, because "a little pain now will help me heal faster later" [by not pushing herself too hard when the pain is masked]. I think she's being very wise. My sister is a tough customer.

I didn't get to see much of Baby Cole, sadly. He seems like he's doing very well, but he wasn't discharged from the NICU yet when I visited. I went in with Ka before a feeding and took a few stills and short video with the iPad. I had to leave shortly thereafter, because Stu had Shane and Dad was pulling up to a closed valet parking to drop of Jama. I had to rush back down and take Shane, so Stu could get a wheelchair for Jama and Dad could park the car.  Here's a few seconds of the video I grabbed:

It was great seeing Stu and Ka Saturday, but Shane and I did have one rude surprise: Shane wasn't allowed in to visit! The hospital had a policy of no one under 12 was supposed to enter the maternity ward. Stu came out and drove Shane around so I could visit my sister and later take a peek at the baby, but if not for him, we would've been denied entry. Shane and I ended up playing in the lobby and running up and down the hospital corridors most of the time we were there.

Thankfully, Ka was healthy (and energetic) enough to venture forth into the lobby to visit and Jama and Dad arrived at the hospital about an hour after us. Dad, Stu and I played pass the baby and whoever was left talked to Ka or to Jama. It was a busy first day in VA for Jama! There was one scary moment where Jama got her fingers caught in a door hinge, but aside from that little SNAFU she had a wonderful time seeing everyone.

After a little over 3 hours, Shane and I made our exit. He slept most of the way there and most of the way back. In total, we drove a 150 miles and averaged a little over 50 miles per gallon. At around $3.75 per gallon, that's an $11.25 trip. Thanks, Prius! (When I read this years from now, I wonder if I'll be more amazed at the price of gas "back in the day," or how few miles per gallons the "old cars" used to get.)