We arrived at the hospital shortly before 8:00 a.m. and waited a bit anxiously in the lobby for news of the baby's arrival. Ken paced – literally. While we waited, the neighborhood Hindu priest dropped by to light the candle in the lobby shrine and provide morning chanting. We don't know what he was chanting about, but we took it as a blessing and with appreciation. The small lobby was bustling with staff and patients coming and going, with only passing glances for the two foreigners sitting with computer bags, a diaper bag and a traveling bassinette.
At 8:50 a.m. we were sent up to the nursery. The receptionist just said, "You're requested in the nursery" and pointed us upstairs. So we didn't know anything until we saw Cornelia on the other side of the nursery window: a naked, squirming, blinking, fussing, pink and precious little baby girl. It was nothing less than amazing. After much "oohing" and "aahing" we called our families with the news of their new granddaughter and niece.
And then we started the business of the day. Shilpi – who is essentially our case manager at SCI – arrived at about 9:30 to check on us and to begin shepherding us through the business of the day. Also, since we were the first SCI clients sent to this particular hospital, she wanted to be sure everything was running smoothly. It was. The day's primary objective was to secure Cornelia's birth certificate. After Shilpi talked with hospital staff about the process at this particular hospital we went to the SCI offices to complete the necessary forms. We then went back to the hospital so that they could input and submit the information from those forms online. At the hospital at that point we met with the pediatrician who explained to us that the baby was doing very well, and explained the various tests and vaccinations she would be getting. After that meeting it was back again to the SCI office to settle our accounts.
Then back again to the hospital for Cornelia's afternoon bottle – and our first lesson in feeding a baby. We definitely have the impression that a lot of people are skeptical about whether two men can care for a baby. We chalked this up to the likelihood that Indian men likely do little in the care and feeding of their newborns. The pediatrician – who was very kind – told us that Cornelia would stay in the hospital until we were comfortable – and they were comfortable – that we were ready to take her home. So, on the first afternoon we learned how to measure formula, add water and shake it in the bottle, and the importance of sterilizing the bottles. And then we watched the nurse feed her behind the glass window. We didn't get to hold Cornelia at all the first day. While we might chalk that up to local custom – keeping babies in a sterile environment for 24 hours or so –we also know that other babies were going from the nursery to see their mothers for breast milk. Yet we spent more time waiting outside the nursery than anyone else.
After Cornelia's 5:00 p.m. bottle, we returned to Michael's home (where we are staying) and enjoyed a wonderful evening with a group of his friends.
At 8:50 a.m. we were sent up to the nursery. The receptionist just said, "You're requested in the nursery" and pointed us upstairs. So we didn't know anything until we saw Cornelia on the other side of the nursery window: a naked, squirming, blinking, fussing, pink and precious little baby girl. It was nothing less than amazing. After much "oohing" and "aahing" we called our families with the news of their new granddaughter and niece.
And then we started the business of the day. Shilpi – who is essentially our case manager at SCI – arrived at about 9:30 to check on us and to begin shepherding us through the business of the day. Also, since we were the first SCI clients sent to this particular hospital, she wanted to be sure everything was running smoothly. It was. The day's primary objective was to secure Cornelia's birth certificate. After Shilpi talked with hospital staff about the process at this particular hospital we went to the SCI offices to complete the necessary forms. We then went back to the hospital so that they could input and submit the information from those forms online. At the hospital at that point we met with the pediatrician who explained to us that the baby was doing very well, and explained the various tests and vaccinations she would be getting. After that meeting it was back again to the SCI office to settle our accounts.
Then back again to the hospital for Cornelia's afternoon bottle – and our first lesson in feeding a baby. We definitely have the impression that a lot of people are skeptical about whether two men can care for a baby. We chalked this up to the likelihood that Indian men likely do little in the care and feeding of their newborns. The pediatrician – who was very kind – told us that Cornelia would stay in the hospital until we were comfortable – and they were comfortable – that we were ready to take her home. So, on the first afternoon we learned how to measure formula, add water and shake it in the bottle, and the importance of sterilizing the bottles. And then we watched the nurse feed her behind the glass window. We didn't get to hold Cornelia at all the first day. While we might chalk that up to local custom – keeping babies in a sterile environment for 24 hours or so –we also know that other babies were going from the nursery to see their mothers for breast milk. Yet we spent more time waiting outside the nursery than anyone else.
After Cornelia's 5:00 p.m. bottle, we returned to Michael's home (where we are staying) and enjoyed a wonderful evening with a group of his friends.
Congratulations you two!! Finally, Daddies...I can't imagine not being able to hold her for the first 24 hrs!! How horrible. But, I am sure you are making up for it! Yeah! Enjoy, all my love.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
We're all cheering in San Francisco. Cornelia is the talk of the town! Congratulations and thanks for the update!
ReplyDeleteKen and Mike:
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Cornelia is beautiful bundle of joy. Your mom and I show her off to everyone who comes through the door.