Hospitals are fine, except for the sleep thing...

The staff at Swedish was ridiculous, they were all so very helpful and encouraging.  From our little "kitchen surprise" to baby in hand, it was just under two hours, so everybody had to know their role and execute flawlessly to ensure Parker and Mom were healthy and happy last Wednesday. 

Very specifically, a nurse named Jelaine - strange name, but she was impressive!  She's the one who got to deal with me after the baby was born, Treva was a little woozy, and I'm standing with something that weighs less than the amount of pork I just purchased for a DP dinner on Sunday saying, "Okay, let's do this - skin to skin, I'm in on this."  She was informative and very sweet - and she was able to keep my shirt on.  Cheryl was a second nurse - she was almost as good as Jelaine...and I only say almost because she had a University of Washington hair cap on the entire time.  Disgusting.  Beyond that, she was good - but a bad first impression cannot be cured.  And then at night, Mary and Sharon kept the lights on for us.  And by that, I mean very directly...kept the lights on.  All night long, in and out, in and out.  They pricked Parker's feet fifteen times to test his blood sugar, and Treva's blood pressure has never been through so many tribulations in her glorious 32 years.  Both Parker and Treva are good studies though - they passed most of the time.  Parker had a nasty fever on Day 2, so we got to play with more needles and formula then.  He knows enough to know the difference now. 

For those who do not have kids, or haven't had kids in since the interweb was invented, the hospital lodging experience is a trip.  They have free meals for patients - but guests have to pay.  Nobody questioned Treva's request for some Rigatoni Bolognese, Ceasar Salad with Chicken, Reuben Sandwich, and three ice cream sundays.  She's a big eater.  In truth, she was on a cracker diet on Day 1.  The things I will remember from the hospital stay:

• Had I to do it all over again, I would have figured out how the hide-a-bed worked before 4am on the first night.
• There's a distinct difference in training and pay (I'm assuming on the latter) from the doctors and nurses to the "Transport Team." 
• The food service really is remarkable - not of the highest quality, but sustenance none the less.  And they bring it directly to your room!  And they don't take tips!  It's basically what normal restaurants look like in a place like Greenland, I'm guessing. 
• The wireless internet was reliable.  That says it all right there.
• If you're a pillow company - you should attempt to create a "single-sourcing" contract with Swedish.  More pillows there than an Arabian Prince's love shack.
• They have free apple juice and graham crackers.  Yes, Parker is the kid - but how often can I feel like I'm back in Preschool?!  When was the last time you tried to eat as many graham crackers as you could in a 10 minute stretch?!  You do when they are free.  And delicious.
• We were "Charlie Sheen Winning" when Treva could get up and go to the bathroom without calling the nurses in.  That's a nice perspective to put things in.

Aunt Sarah and both Grandmas came up and visited the hospital immediately - all initially concerned for Treva's health, then shifting to meeting Parker.  They were a lot of fun and very comforting for me to have each of them there and sharing in those priorities.  We got some cute pics out of the deal too!