Friday, April 30, 2010

He sleeps with the fishes

Earlier this week I got desperate. Doug would just not sleep in his bassinet. He wouldn't even lay there quietly and contemplate life. I had noticed that he really like to stare at this.



We call it 'The Little Man' because that's kinda what it looks like. It's a night light that's rechargeable and removable from it's base. It has a setting for each of the three primary colors (of light) and one where it uses them and fades from one to the next. He LOVES to watch it fade from one to the other. So as I said, I was desperate. I stacked it on some books so he could see it over the bassinet and put it on the color change mode and voila! Quite and content baby!

So I thought about this development and realized that we could probably procure something more interesting for him to look at, so we got him this.



It's really nice, it has settings for annoyingly restyled classical music and a rain or waterfall sort of noise. We vastly prefer the water noise. The fish of course move, but only in one direction. Luckily the logic of that does not perturb Doug. It plays for 25 minutes; the fish swim with the lights and the music for the first ten. Then the lights dim and the fish stop swimming and the sound still plays. Then for the last 5 minutes it's just the sound which gets quieter. It also come with a handy remote which has become like a snooze button for me when he starts stirring or when the fish stop swimming. Let me tell you, Doug is not so keen about the fish not swimming. Maybe he knows what happens when a fish doesn't swim anymore, I don't know. All I know is that in the middle of the night my hand better find that button OR ELSE! It's also a bit demoralizing to realize that you've watched the fish swim for 40 minutes yourself. I do enjoy the rain sound though, its quite soothing. I had to delay posting this because the fish tank ran out of batteries and Doug just kept staring at it mournfully, trying to will the fish to start swimming again.

Anyway, Happy Friday!


Thursday, April 29, 2010

A New Path

I've been toying with this post for a while now, trying to figure out how to best discuss this. I've decided to just be straight up about it. After much deliberation, we've decided to baptize Doug in the Methodist Church. I'm very excited that we've decided to do this, and his baptism is set for mid May.

I have to say, that as an adult, I've been dissatisfied with the Catholic Church (I will refer to it as the Church) for quite some time. I think the real last straw came in January when the priest from our parish was taken away on child molestation charges. The charges were from the '80s, from two different parishes. Now, I know that is certainly not representative of all priests. However in my mind, it was just one more way that the priesthood was failing.

I remember the whole process for getting married in the Church. It was kind of ludicrous. I felt like both Jeff and I and the priest who was marrying us were just going through the motions of the marriage prep meetings we had together. To be honest, the meetings were a complete joke. I can honestly see that some people truly have a need for them, I don't think that the idea is without merit. It's just that meeting with some one who's not married to discuss marriage is a bit, well... unhelpful to say the least. I know that priests are in a committed relationship to God, I get that. However, God doesn't leave the toilet seat up or sleep through the baby crying! I do remember that the priest was deeply concerned with who would make breakfast in the morning. Yes, I'm serious. I don't think we discussed child rearing and the responsibilities involved at all. That being said, I think they should add something about caring for a special needs child. Jeff and I discussed the possibility of it before we got married and again before we got pregnant. I know that it absolutely can't be anticipated, but I think you need to have a dialogue open about the subject. Anyway, for most of it we felt like we were just saying what was expected of us, not how we actually live our lives.

As an adult, I've joined two Catholic Churches. The first one I joined when I started working so I could contribute weekly so that I would be considered a member. This would allow us to be married there. So, when I signed up, what did I get in the mail? Envelopes dated for each week to put my checks in. After we got married we joined a more local church. We got more envelopes in the mail. In mid March we started attending services at a local Methodist church, we left our address with them and I was expecting more of the same in the mail. What we actually got was a letter of welcome from the pastor! Imagine that! We're valued as people, not another source of revenue! I think that right there clearly shows the priorities of the two different organizations.

The other thing about the Catholic Church, is that it's a very 'members only' kind of organization. I do understand that the Church does have some fundamentally different ideas about communion, and that you need to be initiated before you can partake. What I don't understand is why it is SO hard to become a Catholic. It should be harder to get OUT of the Church than IN! So poor Jeff (who is Methodist, I should have mentioned that earlier) just got to sit there for most of the mass. I know he did it because he loves me, but still, its kind of a sacrifice each week. We had discussed the possibility of him becoming Catholic at some point in time, but I knew that he wasn't ready and would unlikely be ready at some point in the near future. When you sign up to become a Catholic as an adult, it's pretty hard core. You have to really want it. It's also evidently hard to become one as an infant. I'm not really sure why. There are classes involved for the parents, and the God parents practically have to have notarized letters from their pastors. I wanted us to be able to fully participate as a family. The Methodists seem to have no such restrictions. If you want to be there, then be there.

And then there's this particular Methodist Church itself. We were told it's one of the oldest Churches in the area. It's very lovely and is located on Main Street. The first time we went there was the weekend before Doug was born. It seems to be a smaller community than most of the Catholic churches I've ever been to, we were immediately recognized as new people. It was an experience unlike one I'd ever had in a Catholic church; people came over to us and introduced themselves! I'd been to many Catholic churches, and this had never ever happened. It left quite an impression on us. When we returned with Doug we got a lot more people to say hello, because well, he's pretty darn cute.

Jeff and I also find ourselves more able to identify with the pastor of this church. He's married and has young children. So he's obviously familiar with the concerns and trials of raising a family. And then there's just his personality, he's very charismatic. He friended us on facebook and we saw that we'd get along like a house on fire. He's into Metallica, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars. The sermon he gave last week actually involved Star Wars. We were a little disappointed that he didn't do a Yoda voice though.

I find myself looking forward to and enjoying going to church again. I feel renewed each week and challenged to think more about my faith. I enjoy the more open and community prayer aspects of the service, it reminds me of the services before school that Mrs. J led. However, the pastor doesn't call us 'little fatties', lol.

Please don't misunderstand me, I have great respect for those who are Catholic, for anyone who is truly devoted to their faith. The Catholic Church just isn't for me anymore. I find some of their ideas out-dated and frankly hurtful. I'd much rather be a happy Methodist than a lip service Catholic any day.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Super Woman!

Today was the day of many doctor visits. Yay!

This morning we had an impromptu visit to the pediatrician. There's probably a note now in my son's file that I am insane. Last night around midnight he was really fussy and still on this three hour feeding kick. He started really crying for no reason that we could figure out. As last resort, I stuck my finger in his mouth and felt around on his gum. Voila! There was something there! Further inspection revealed the something to be a small, hard whitish bump on his gum where a canine tooth would be. Frantic, I called my Mom and consulted the internet. The internet told me that indeed it could be a really early tooth and my son could be a freak of nature. So we called the doctor's office this morning and they told us to bring him in. The nurse practitioner (I really love NPs, they're my favorite kind of medical professional) took a look and declared it a harmless and painless cyst on his gum that would go away on it's own. She was very kind about it and didn't make me feel like a complete moron. Crisis averted!

Later this morning was my scheduled endocrinologist visit for 6 weeks postpartum. I can usually tell when my TSH (what is measured to determine how your thyroid is working) is high (towards hypothyroidism). I feel like crap when it goes up even a little, I've become quite sensitive to it. I was pretty sure that my thyroid wasn't under-active. I felt really really good. I evidently felt really really good because my thyroid is actually measuring in the hyper zone. I was a little sad that my doctor wanted to cut back my medicine. Hyperthyroidism carries its risks too, however. I think the risks associated with that can actually be more life threatening. Rest assured, my TSH wasn't that low, my doctor wasn't panicked about it. She'd had the results for a few days, so I don't think it was super urgent.

I can usually tell when my thyroid is giving out a lot of juice too. The other day I was standing and rocking Doug and he spit out his pacifier, and I grabbed it in mid air. I've always noticed that I have super human life reflexes when my TSH is low. I also wanted to do a million things when I got home from the hospital. I probably would have repainted the house if I wasn't recovering from surgery. It's a shame I can't take this and save it for later when I can use it. Ah well.

I'm looking forward to Friday night. We've decided to pawn off, er let Doug visit, with my parents for the night. I love him dearly, but it would be nice to just have a peaceful night. A whole night without a little person screaming! I won't know what to do with myself! I'm sure I'll miss him though, probably just enough to pick him up by noon the next day. Maybe Sunday ;)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I think I brushed my teeth...?

So the posts have been a little scanty lately. My in-laws were here visiting from Kansas City for two weeks and left this past Friday. Since then we've been trying to get back into the swing of things and get Doug on a schedule (insert sarcastic laugh here). Even as I type, he's grunting. I don't know why. He's been fed and changed. My only explanation is that he knows when my lap is being occupied by my laptop and not him. But I digest (ahahaha).

While the in-laws were here, they took Doug in the morning, which was heaven. They'd come and get him around 8 so I could enjoy a few hours of delicious, mouth watering, uninterrupted sleep and they could enjoy Doug. I'm pretty sure they've spoiled me. Saturday night and Sunday morning I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep. We decided to just get up and go to the 8am church service as we'd just have to wake up an hour after it anyway to get ready for the 11. We tried to take a nap afterward, but Doug would not have it. Sunday night went very much the same way, and at 7 am, I made Jeff call my mom to come over and watch him while Jeff went to work and I slept. I could barely form sentences at the time, so it was really best that Jeff called. At one point that night I was thinking to myself, "Man, I could really use a sick day. Too bad they don't exist anymore!". So my Mom came and saved the day and I slept so I could be a sane person.

Last night I was better able to cope with Doug, however he's back on a three hour schedule. The child sucks down a 5 oz bottle like he's never been fed before every three hours! I very much suspect he's on another growth spurt. Anyway, so he's been eating every three hours, so let me break that down for you. So, he cries because he's hungry, so I get the bottle and start feeding him (approx 45 minutes). Then, he gets a new diaper (5-10 minutes, depending on diaper contents and the cooperation of the diapee). So that kills almost an hour. Then he's usually up for an hour afterward (so, 2 hours since this whole thing started). He's generally very good when he's up, as long as you don't put him in his bassinet. He will very happily lay next to you, but oh no, don't even think about putting him down, you evil, sadistic person! Then about, 15-20 minutes before he wakes up in earnest, he fusses occasionally. Which means I get about 40 minutes to sleep, assuming I can get back to sleep. So, you can see why, at 7:25 am, when the home owners association started mowing, I nearly lost it.

I called my Mom at 9, and she was able to be over around ten so I could sleep. I intended to only sleep for a few hours, but I woke up and it was 10 of 4! I'm pretty sure I could have slept through anything. Apparently my brother was over too, I was bummed that I missed him. He always raves about how good Doug smells, so I think some one is getting some No More Tears body wash for Christmas! He can be the man your baby could smell like!

The rest of the week is quite busy. I have my 6 week postpartum appointment with my endocrinologist tomorrow, I have a feeling that my thyroid is a little on the low side, but not too much. I've also looked up this local bakery. I'd like to hit them up tomorrow and see if I'd like Doug's baptism cake to be made there. I'm really excited about the possibility of a cake tasting! I read their reviews online, and I had to laugh. My parent's neighbor (who I grew up with) evidently got his wedding cake there and loved it! I'm quite optimistic. Then on Thursday one of my girl friends is coming over to chill out. I really need mindless movie and pizza time.

Friday is my 6 week ob appointment. I have a feeling my Dr. isn't going to be thrilled with my incision. Well, heck, I'm not thrilled with it! It was doing well until about the third week. I hadn't used any of the painkillers prior to then, but I pissed off my incision and it's been angry since then. They tell you not to lift things, exercise or run up and down the stairs. All very obvious things, in my opinion. What they don't tell you is to not jump out of bed, roll over in bed frequently, use your foot to bounce the boncer, rock in a rocking chair or push shopping carts. All very normal, but bad things for recovery! I think it's finally starting to get better, but I have a feeling it'll be another week or two until I'm good as new.

Friday is date night! My parents are going to sit with him. I don't care where we go, as long as we don't have to lug stuff with us!

Anyway, that's all for today.

Friday, April 23, 2010

One Month!

On Monday Doug became one month old. It has been a very educational month. For example, I didn't think we'd have to deal with Catastrophic Diaper Failure (hence forth known as CDF) until he was much older. Most unfortunately, not only has he has several leaky wet diapers, but he had a poopy one leak too. For some reason the child objects to my only nice cotton night gown. It comes out of the wash and quickly returns. I feel like we should wear ponchos, like the ones they hand out at Sea World when you sit in the 'splash zones'.

Doug has also grown so much. It's amazing and heart breaking at the same time. He's really not going to be so little forever! Even my in-laws, who were here for two weeks, were able to witness Doug's growth. When they arrived, he still had some what of a Jell-O neck, his head wobbled side to side. Now he can pretty consistently control it when he's upright. The only time he has difficulty is when he's tired. He's also grown out of some of his onesies and out of his new born diapers. He's also being to become accustomed to bath time. He doesn't flail and scream so much, now he calmly looks around and takes the whole process in.

We've also experimented with his diet a good bit to get his reflux under control. I think we've finally hit on the right combination. Initially, the Dr. put him on a 'spit up' formula which was thicker. Doug liked it, but his digestion wasn't so fond of it, it made the poor guy constipated. We gave him sugar water, which he greatly enjoyed, but it didn't seem to help. Now he's back on his regular formula and takes liquid Zantac three times a day. He doesn't scream when he's fed anymore. Well he does, but only when he's burped because he's obviously not eating when he's burping. He's not in pain though, just impatient!

I think we're more entertained by him than he is by us so far. In the evening he can be quite lively, just cooing at us and trying to check out everything in the room.

I want him to continue to grow, but I think I'm going to miss these days when he's just a little bundle!





Sunday, April 18, 2010

I should be sleeping...

But instead I added a widget, thanks to my good friend Anne James, that has my blog post directly to facebook. And that is what I'm doing at 2 am while Doug is in his swing and I'm trying to get the little bugger to sleep. Good Lord, I should be asleep. I dream about sleeping now. I guess it's better than dreaming about having to find a bathroom though!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

News Bulletin

The yellow lines on the diapers turn blue when the diaper is wet . Look people, I knew the diapers *probably* did something, but I didn't know what. The other night I was pouring over the packaging looking for information about color changingness when wet. I saw nothing. So, I noted that the line was yellow. Several hours later I noticed it was blue. Hey, I noticed there was a line, but can you expect my sleep deprived brain to remember the color of it? Curse you again pampers for not being explicit! Diapers evidently need directions. Or should only be distributed to parents who have had sleep. That is all. You may go back to your regularly scheduled surfing.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Accessories Sold Separately

We are morons. Really, we are. When we went to register we looked at all kinds of things for the baby. At the time, we have very concrete opinions about things we wanted and things that we didn't want at all. Unfortunately, hindsight is 20/20.

The first thing that we bought that we didn't think we'd need or want is the Itzbeen, a baby timer. Jeff ordered it after we'd been home a night and had it ship the next day, which is something we never do. It's lovely. Since Doug isn't on a schedule, it's hard to remember in the middle of the night when he last ate or had a diaper change.

The next thing we ended up buying that we didn't want was a real breast pump. In hospital breast feeding was very problematic. It was a combination of too many visitors all at once, nurses coming in and out to check on Doug and I, a tired baby and flat nipples. Basically by the end of the second day, we'd gotten desperate. Doug hadn't had a whole lot to eat, so we gave him a bottle. He took to the bottle like a duck takes to water. He sucked it down, which made me feel really bad, because clearly he was starving. He just didn't have the hang of the breast. So, we decided that we'd pump and then bottle feed him since we had trouble breast feeding. So I kept pumping in the hospital and hardly got anything out. I know that there isn't supposed to be a whole lot of colostrum, but it was still very discouraging to only get a teaspoon or so. When we got home I kept pumping for a day or so on the cheap battery operated single pump we'd bought. After a day or so I got tired of it. It seemed like my milk wasn't going to come in. I decided to wait and see if my milk would ever come in. It was clear at that point that I'd only ever be able to get one bottle's worth anyway. Finally, 6 days postpartum, my milk came in. We wanted to rent a Medela breast pump, but the store I wanted to rent it from wasn't open til the weekend. We decided to bite the bullet and buy one. It worked wonderfully! However, pumping gave me a migraine. I Googled it and apparently it has something to do with the hormone involved in let down. After two pumping sessions and me nearly biting Jeff's head off each time, I decided to call it quits. Breast feeding just wasn't working out for us. We were able to sell the pump on Craig's list and I hope the lady who bought it has an easier time than I did.

Our next purchase came when Doug was two weeks old. Each night we'd put Doug down in his crib and then spend the whole night walking back and forth between our room and his. We decided to get a co-sleeper bassinet. He seemed to sleep well with us, just not on his own in his crib. The first night he slept in it in our bed. Our bed is a bit too small to comfortably accommodate the co-sleeper, so we put it on a coffee table next to my side. He's been sleeping a bit better in it. And our hallway carpet is being saved.

The next week we found out that Doug had reflux. This necessitated the purchase of his baby bouncer. I really hadn't wanted one, they can be pricey and take up space. However, I also wanted to sleep. Doug really does seem to enjoy it.

Over the weekend we decided that he really needed a swing for our bedroom. Again, something I never wanted to get. Doug wakes up and is just awake after a feeding for an hour or so sometimes. It seems to help soothe him back to sleep with the reflux too. The box said that it helps baby sleep. But oh no,it helps Mom sleep! The baby on the box looked very happy too. The Mom also looked quite content, smiling, happy, no bags under her eyes. As if!

Hopefully our next major baby purchase will be baby gates and a bigger car seat. I can't imagine he needs anything else!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

OUT!

Friday was the first day that we went out without Doug and all his various accessories (which we accumulate more of by the day!). Friday morning we had to go to the MVA (long story) and we left him with my Mom, because the MVA just screams 'Germs!" to me.

Friday night we went out again and my parents came over to sit with Doug. Initially we were afraid we'd be spending Friday night in the ER. My incision wasn't looking and feeling so good, so we called the OB and luckily they said it didn't sound serious, so we could go out! Which was a relief since I'd been planning my outfit since Thursday afternoon. I think I was almost more excited about my outfit than the outing itself. I got to wear a nice sort of fitted top, a cute jean skirt and my favorite pair of heels. They're Steve Maddans that I found at an amazing sale a few years ago, platform sandals that are metallic pink. Anyway, I was dying to wear them and normal clothes again.

We met some friends of mine at Pub Dog for a friend's birthday. My friend Katie had a baby in December, and I think both of us were some what marveling in our 'out of the house with out the baby' evening. I of course was also very excited to consume an adult beverage (I'm not breast feeding). The size of the beers were odd, they were 8 or 10 oz and they were 2 for $4. However, they were very yummy. Very girlie beers, flavors like blueberry, peach and raspberry. I tried the raspberry and then had a raspberry beer with their stout, sooo delicious! I'm not sure why they didn't just pour both peers into a pint glass and call it a day, but there you have it.

After being out for about 3 hours we went home. I started to miss Doug and wanted to get home and relax and clean for a bit before my in-laws got in later that night. It was nice to get out, but it was also good to get back home :)

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Holy Cheese Grater Batman!

He slept! It was amazing! Last night he slept in two and half hour increments. It doesn't sound like much, but it was just... wow. Generally he eats every 3 hours. From start to finish to new diaper, its about 45 minutes and then he needs to sit upright for 30-60 minutes, so it's a process. This morning I got greedy though, I was lamenting the fact that babies don't come with snooze alarms. I was able to coax another half hour out of him by letting him sleep on my chest for a while. The new formula seems to be working, other than it seems to give him horrible constipation. We called the pediatrician and we need to give him 4oz of water once a day now. I'm not thrilled about that, but hopefully it will help.
And now, gratuitous baby pictures!



I know Doug doesn't have enough head control for the Bumbo, but I wanted to see if there was a possibility of propping him up with blankets so he could sit up right while I did very important Mommy things. Like paint my toe nails. As you can see, Doug did not enjoy it. He's also hysterical when he's mad.



This is where Doug sleeps. On a coffee table. We bought this co-sleeper bassinet to put in bed with us, which we did for the first night. Unfortunately, our bed is a a queen, so there was little room with the bassinet in the middle. Jeff came up with the coffee table idea. Initially, I thought it was the stupidest thing I'd ever heard. It works out nicely, there's only a gap of an inch or so between the wall and the table and Doug is within easy reach.



This was attempted tummy time last night.



Here's Doug in his Mommy powered bouncer. I will have the most muscular ankles on the block!



This is what happened while I was getting ready for bed. Both of my boys are all tuckered out!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde

It happens after dark. This nearly eight pound bundle of cute smells and hair changes into something dark and sinister. Okay, maybe not something dark and sinister, but something seriously pissed off at EVERYTHING.

It started on Easter. We'd been up on and off with him most of the night. We took him to church, where he of course pulled off his 'cutest and happiest baby in the world routine' and was 'ooohed and awed' upon by all. He fell asleep on the way home, so we giddily thought we'd get to take a nap before going over to my parent's house for dinner. So we get him home and put him in his new bassinet next to my side of the bed and we get in bed too. He would not go back to sleep. We tried various methods for an hour to get him to sleep and to save our sanity. Finally, we decided to put him in his car seat. I didn't like to idea of him sleeping on it, but it was only going to be for an hour or so. And dude, we were TIRED. As soon as we got him buckled in the damn thing, the sandman took him off. Jeff and I looked at each other, scratched our heads, and then just said 'whatever' and quickly got to sleep ourselves. When we collected ourselves after the nap, we realized that in the past day or so, he prefers to sleep on an incline. He's never napped in his crib either, but always in the boppy or in our arms. Hmmm, we said. Perhaps he has reflux? So we decided instead of hysterically calling his doctor, that we'd wait and watch him over the next day or so.

Monday was my first day alone with Doug. I hadn't gotten a ton of sleep, but I was ok. Other than my guilt for tossing him in his crib while I showered, the day was pretty uneventful. However, Monday night was another story entirely. I'm a little foggy on the details now, but he was up most of the night. I think from about 9pm until 4:30. He'd doze a little bit here and there, but then he'd wake up screaming. He wasn't warming up to the screaming either. It was just straight up 'I'm being tortured' kind of screaming. He'd feel better when held up right and rocked, but it was a very rough night for the three of us. I managed about 45 minutes of sleep that night.

When the pediatrician's office was open, Jeff called to make an appointment. I know that we shall experience sleepless nights, and I'm okay with that. What was bothering me was that it was fairly obvious that Doug was in pain. At the office he pulled out his 'happiest baby ever' routine again. Of course, having told the nurse he was constipated, we had to change two dirty diapers while waiting. The Dr. (who we love, found him through my cousin) looked Doug over and asked what was going on. He came to the same conclusion that I had, that Doug had some reflux. He decided to try and treat it first with new formula (which he gave us 3 cans of! I was like dude, you're giving away GOLD!) and keeping him up right after being fed for an hour. So, we left and headed towards some much needed Chipotle and Target and Babies R Us. We had a coupon for Babies R Us, so we got him a bouncy seat there. We had tried propping up the head of Doug's bassinet, but somehow when we do that he ends up turned 90 degrees and at the bottom of the damn thing. We decided to continue to try that, but with a sleep positioner, which we got at Target. When we got home, we realized we forgot the batteries for the bouncer. Also, calling them a 'bouncy seat' is a misnomer. They vibrate on their own, but to bounce them, Mom or Dad has to do it. We keep Doug's on the coffee table, and let me tell you, I expect to have one seriously toned ankle by the time Doug has out grown this! I proceeded to give Doug a bottle with the new formula and then panic. It didn't appear that he was eating it. I couldn't figure out why, because he seemed starved. Then I remembered that his pediatrician said it was a thicker formula. Which doesn't come out of the slow flow nipples. At this point, I was perilously close to hitting my head against the wall. Luckily Jeff had squirreled away some medium and fast flow nipples. For the rest of the day, we just vegged out. After of course sending Jeff back out to Target for more nipples and batteries.

Last night was a blood bath. Doug was just not happy. Having had reflux myself, I totally sympathized with him. I was up most of the night with him, either rocking him in his room or bouncing him in the bouncer. We dozed here and there, but not a whole lot. Around 5 or so Jeff took over and I was able to sleep for a bit. Then around 8 or so, I called in for reinforcements: Grandma. My mom came over and sat with Doug until about 2ish. Jeff got to work about 10 and I got to sleep. I don't think I've slept like that since I had the flu nearly 3 years ago. I was just completely out of it. Doug was, again, a complete angel for Grandma. She even fed him and he didn't thrash and scream like he had been. Jeff called the Dr. back to let them know that the formula wasn't doing much. Unfortunately, Doug's Dr. is out until Friday and they want us to continue to try with the formula. From my own experience with reflux, those kind of diet and position changes do help a little, but overall, it's still miserable. I'm hoping they'll prescribe something for him on Friday so he'll be back to his usual happy self.

I think until then we'll try sleeping in shifts. I may have my mom come over again tomorrow, that was a total life saver. Doug has been asleep since she got here. I think she sprinkled a little Grandma dust on him while she was here. I really have no other explanation for it, but I'm glad he's happy for now.

Edited- Some !@#@! just called with a wrong number (the only kind of calls we get on our land line) and woke him up! I wish you could reach through the phones and strangle people like in cartoons.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Random musings I've tried to tie into an entry

Tomorrow Doug will be two weeks old. It's hard to believe. His umbilical cord fell off the other day, so he had his first bath last night. He got so angry during the bath that he wore himself out and slept quite soundly after for a good bit. Of course, we didn't take advantage of this situation and go to bed ourselves.

Due to my recovery from my c-section (getting in and out of bed seems to aggravate the incision) Jeff has been doing most of the night duty. The other morning he had changed Doug and then left him in his crib to go downstairs to get him a bottle. Doug of course, started screaming, waking me up. I went in there to get him, and he stopped and gave me this "Oh, its YOU!" look when I picked him up. I think he thought I'd forgotten about him. Also, I think he may have been disappointed, because he really likes to mess with Jeff. One of his favorite routines is to pretend he's still ravenous after having a bottle. He enjoys making Jeff troop back downstairs for more formula, only to refuse it.

I make stuff up. A lot. After many attempts to soothe Doug back to sleep, Jeff will cart him back into the bed room for suggestions. At which point, I really do make stuff up. It seems to make the two of them happy though. "Swaddle!" "Unswaddle!" "Change!" "Pacifier!" "Rock him!". It usually ensures that they leave and that I get to go back to sleep :)

I think that's all my random thoughts for now.