I think I need to really start this blog up again. I feel so overwhelmed sometimes that I think getting things "on paper" might help a bit. Here's a brief rundown of where things have been and where we are now.
We went through the 3 month growth spurt which morphed into the 4 month wakeful + Wonder Week 19 from mid-February to mid-March. Oh my, rough times. Never have I thought I actually might die of exhaustion. He did not want to sleep at night, he did not want to nap, he did not want to eat. We took him to the pediatrician who suspects he might have a mild case of reflux and suggested we try Zantac. The eating got better on it's own so didn't give it to him. More on that to come.
I'd read horror stories of the dreaded 4 month wakeful lasting for 2 months for some people, but luckily for us it was over as quickly as it started about 3 weeks later. Right around the 4 month mark Finn suddenly became a happy baby. Colic was over and there was much rejoicing! I finally felt like I had a handle on things. Thanks to Dr. Ferber I broke the swinging for naps habitat and Finn started taking 3 regular naps a day in his crib. And they were for more than 30 minutes at a time! It took about a week of very gentle Ferberizing and we managed to beat the 30 minute intruder. Seriously, I still feel like I deserve a trophy for this.
Fast forward to 5-5.5 months and the crankiness sets back in. He doesn't want to eat at all and something seems off. Just when I'm about to call the pediatrician again, I notice a tooth! Of course Finn cannot be one of those babies who wakes up with teeth none worse for the wear. Teething is hell for him. I'll nominate myself for the Bad Mother Award, but I went ahead and gave him ibuprofen since it works better for teething. It's not supposed to be given until 6 months, but I figured 2 weeks won't make much of a difference. He didn't have any negative reactions to it and only needed it once during the day for two days. Thank you Jesus that teething didn't affect night sleep for us.
So we've made it through one tooth, I think the other is days away from cutting the gum, and we are quickly approaching Wonder Week 26. Again, he started to get upset while eating so we're sticking with the Zantac for awhile. Eating has gotten much better, so it's either the result of the tooth being through or he actually does have reflux (I'm not convinced of this because his only symptom is not wanting to eat which frankly I think bores him).
He just woke up from a nap, so I'll expand on Wonder Week 26 a bit later. Lord help me through this one!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Oh cranky baby!
You know those babies that will just drift off to sleep wherever whenever they are tired? I do not have one of those. For the first 3 weeks he was very sleepy. At his 2 week checkup, our pediatrician said she tells parents not to make any judgments about their baby's disposition until week 3. She sure was right. Finn "woke up" at week 3 and the screaming began. I'd always thought colic only happened in the evenings. Not for us. The screaming started sometime in the morning and lasted until he went to sleep. The 5 S's kind of worked, and I've spent hours swaying with a swaddled baby trying to calm him down. Oddly, there has never been a night where he cried or woke up more often than every 3-4 hours to eat. I suppose that's my reward for dealing with it all day long. Since he has no issues sleeping at night, the pedi and I ruled out silent reflux or a dairy allergy.
How much of it is actually colic and how much of it is overtiredness? I can't say for sure, but Finn is very sensitive to the amount of sleep he gets. Sleep definitely begets sleep in our house. I've read Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child about 5 times and he MUST be asleep by 2 hours after his previous wake up time or he becomes a maniac. I'm talking screaming, flailing maniac who is difficult to calm down.
Now that we're approaching week 12 things have gotten immensely better. I'm much better about reading his sleep cues and getting him to sleep before he becomes crazy. He mainly naps in the swing, but I'll take what I can get right now. If I can't transition him by the time he can roll over, then he'll have a date with Dr. Ferber because so far my attempts at getting him to nap in the crib haven't been very successful.
Now that I've vented about having a cranky baby, here's what's awesome about him. He never spits up. Seriously. I think he's spit up less than 10 times in almost 12 weeks of life. He now catches my eye and grins. It's the cutest thing in the world. Speaking of cute, he's the most adorable baby I've ever seen (but I'm biased). He's also extremely alert, which is good and bad. He takes it all in during the day, but it's hard for him to settle for naps. I think once he can sit up we'll have a great time taking walks around Colonial Williamsburg because there's a lot to look at.
How much of it is actually colic and how much of it is overtiredness? I can't say for sure, but Finn is very sensitive to the amount of sleep he gets. Sleep definitely begets sleep in our house. I've read Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child about 5 times and he MUST be asleep by 2 hours after his previous wake up time or he becomes a maniac. I'm talking screaming, flailing maniac who is difficult to calm down.
Now that we're approaching week 12 things have gotten immensely better. I'm much better about reading his sleep cues and getting him to sleep before he becomes crazy. He mainly naps in the swing, but I'll take what I can get right now. If I can't transition him by the time he can roll over, then he'll have a date with Dr. Ferber because so far my attempts at getting him to nap in the crib haven't been very successful.
Now that I've vented about having a cranky baby, here's what's awesome about him. He never spits up. Seriously. I think he's spit up less than 10 times in almost 12 weeks of life. He now catches my eye and grins. It's the cutest thing in the world. Speaking of cute, he's the most adorable baby I've ever seen (but I'm biased). He's also extremely alert, which is good and bad. He takes it all in during the day, but it's hard for him to settle for naps. I think once he can sit up we'll have a great time taking walks around Colonial Williamsburg because there's a lot to look at.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The return.
I'm back! Hopefully to stay now that I am kind of (more like barely) beginning to get the hang of this motherhood thing. The brief rundown of Finn's entry into the world:
I was induced at 2pm on Oct. 29 due to high blood pressure, protein in my urine, and elevated liver enzymes. All signs of HELLP. 27 hours later Finn was delivered by c-section after being face up, not budging with pushes, and starting to become distressed. Highlights of this experience involve my epidural failing twice, having horrendous back labor, holding onto the rails of the bed yelling for more drugs as I'm wheeled to the OR, and then telling my OB that I felt like Shamu as I was lifted onto the table (I'm not sure he understood I meant I felt like Shamu when Shamu is lifted from the water on a large tarp). Finn was born at 5:41 on Oct. 30 and weighed 8lb 0.7oz and was 20 inches long. When my OB said I could try for a VBAC if I have another baby under 8lbs, I laughed and said "No thanks!".
Finn was awake for 4 straight hours after being born, apparently waiting for me to get out of recovery! "Oh, he's so alert" we exclaimed along with the doctors and nurses. The alertness would come to be a good thing and a bad thing.
More to come on Finn....
I was induced at 2pm on Oct. 29 due to high blood pressure, protein in my urine, and elevated liver enzymes. All signs of HELLP. 27 hours later Finn was delivered by c-section after being face up, not budging with pushes, and starting to become distressed. Highlights of this experience involve my epidural failing twice, having horrendous back labor, holding onto the rails of the bed yelling for more drugs as I'm wheeled to the OR, and then telling my OB that I felt like Shamu as I was lifted onto the table (I'm not sure he understood I meant I felt like Shamu when Shamu is lifted from the water on a large tarp). Finn was born at 5:41 on Oct. 30 and weighed 8lb 0.7oz and was 20 inches long. When my OB said I could try for a VBAC if I have another baby under 8lbs, I laughed and said "No thanks!".
Finn was awake for 4 straight hours after being born, apparently waiting for me to get out of recovery! "Oh, he's so alert" we exclaimed along with the doctors and nurses. The alertness would come to be a good thing and a bad thing.
More to come on Finn....
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The part where I try to have patience.
I had my 38 week appointment this morning and my first internal exam. The OB actually suggested I not have an internal since I haven't been having any contractions (Braxton Hicks don't count). I asked to have one anyway because I wanted to know. Well, now I know that I've made zero progress. My cervix is completely closed. No mention of effacement.
I've been telling myself all day that it really means nothing and this is probably why the OB suggested I not have one done yet. He'll come out when he's ready, and he's just not ready yet. However, I spend too much time online reading about women who are several weeks behind me and already dilated 2+ cm. I'm not sure which would be worse - walking around dilated for weeks with nothing happening or not having made any progress at all.
Maybe I should go for a walk tonight. I do vow not to turn into one of those women who starts doing things like drinking castor oil though!
How far along: 38 weeks
Next appointment: Next Wednesday
Any new aches/pains: Nothing new. OB told me at my appointment this morning that I can expect to start having contractions, generally after midnight, anytime now as my cervix starts to dilate.
Maternity clothes: Nothing new here.
Sleep: I've been having major insomnia and I'm not sure why.
Best moment this week: Having my mom stock our freezer with food!
Movement: Still a lot of movement.
Food cravings: Nothing healthy. Anything sweet.
Belly button: Still in.
What I miss: Not constantly bumping my belly into things.
What I'm looking forward to this week: Getting a pedicure on Sunday.
Weekly wisdom: When the OB suggests there's no reason for an internal exam, she probably knows what she's talking about and you should listen to her.
I've been telling myself all day that it really means nothing and this is probably why the OB suggested I not have one done yet. He'll come out when he's ready, and he's just not ready yet. However, I spend too much time online reading about women who are several weeks behind me and already dilated 2+ cm. I'm not sure which would be worse - walking around dilated for weeks with nothing happening or not having made any progress at all.
Maybe I should go for a walk tonight. I do vow not to turn into one of those women who starts doing things like drinking castor oil though!
How far along: 38 weeks
Next appointment: Next Wednesday
Any new aches/pains: Nothing new. OB told me at my appointment this morning that I can expect to start having contractions, generally after midnight, anytime now as my cervix starts to dilate.
Maternity clothes: Nothing new here.
Sleep: I've been having major insomnia and I'm not sure why.
Best moment this week: Having my mom stock our freezer with food!
Movement: Still a lot of movement.
Food cravings: Nothing healthy. Anything sweet.
Belly button: Still in.
What I miss: Not constantly bumping my belly into things.
What I'm looking forward to this week: Getting a pedicure on Sunday.
Weekly wisdom: When the OB suggests there's no reason for an internal exam, she probably knows what she's talking about and you should listen to her.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Nursery is finished!
The nursery is decorated and stocked with everything we should need, and then some! My mom recently finished appliqued wall hangings (I posted about these designs when we were first thinking about how to decorate the nursery) and we hung them tonight.
My mom brought us the clock from OBX. Now we just need a baby!
My mom brought us the clock from OBX. Now we just need a baby!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Childbirth Class 5 & 6
We finished up our 6 week childbirth class on Sunday.
Class #5 - This class included the hospital tour. I was surprised at how big the maternity rooms are! Labor, delivery, and recovery are all in the same room unless you end up with a c-section. I definitely like that. There are also 3 refrigerators on the maternity floor stocked with clear beverages you can have during labor and ice cream for afterward. Nice!
Class #6 - This class covered post-partum and breastfeeding. Apparently one dad in the class thought you were released from the hospital the same day the baby is born and it was quite a surprise for him to learn that was not the case. Personally I want to stay as long as possible before having to go home with a baby!
The class wasn't what we expected at first, but it got better and I'm glad we took it. I didn't really learn much I didn't already know from a medical standpoint, but I didn't know much about labor positions and hospital procedures. I'm interested to see if I use any of the relaxation techniques and labor positions before I can get the epidural.
I had my (almost) 37 week appointment today. I'm measuring at 38 weeks, so pretty much right on track. Last week I was told I was going to have a big baby, and I asked the OB (a different one from last week) about that this morning. His reply was "That's what it looks like, but you're also short stature." No one seems to be concerned and have not mentioned having a growth ultrasound, so I'm trying not to worry about it. What I don't want to happen is me to be in labor for hours and hours only to end up with a stuck baby and a c-section. If it's going to end up as a c-section, I'd rather just go for that from the start.
They'll finally start checking me for dilation and effacement next week. I was a little perturbed last week when I found out they don't start checking at 36 weeks like a lot of practices, but it's probably better in the end. I would have ended up obsessing over it and whatever they tell me isn't going to mean much anyway. I have most of the signs of pre-labor (NOT pre-term labor) that are listed in What to Expect When You're Expecting minus losing the mucus plus. We'll just see what happens, but I certainly hope it's sooner rather than later.
How far along: 36 weeks 6 days
Next appointment: Next Wednesday
Any new aches/pains: I've started having occasional bouts of lightening crotch which always catches me off guard. I'm having more and more Braxton Hicks, but there's no pattern to them and they don't hurt. His hard little head is still buried way down in my pelvis which makes for pretty constant pubic bone pain, but it's not too terrible.
Maternity clothes: I'm down to just a handful of outfits I can wear which includes 2 pairs of capri pants for bottoms. My feet have swollen and won't go down, so I can't wear anything but flip flops. Luckily no one seemed to notice (or they ignored it) last week when I wore flip flops with a maternity business suit. Classy.
Sleep: I wake up every 2ish hours all night long. Surprisingly, I'm not exhausted during the day but I don't have much energy when I get home from work.
Best moment this week: Ask me tomorrow when I'm full term.
Movement: He's still squirming around in there.
Food cravings: Anything sweet. All I want to do is bake yummy things.
Belly button: It's still in and almost completely flat. I told P last night that this is the only body part that hasn't failed me.
What I miss: Having more than 4-5 outfits to choose from. Being able to wear shoes. Being able to clean the bathtub without it feeling like I've run a marathon.
What I'm looking forward to this week: Full term tomorrow!!
Weekly wisdom: If you have a lot of things to accomplish on the weekends, just pick one and do it. Then re-evaluate how much energy you have.
Class #5 - This class included the hospital tour. I was surprised at how big the maternity rooms are! Labor, delivery, and recovery are all in the same room unless you end up with a c-section. I definitely like that. There are also 3 refrigerators on the maternity floor stocked with clear beverages you can have during labor and ice cream for afterward. Nice!
Class #6 - This class covered post-partum and breastfeeding. Apparently one dad in the class thought you were released from the hospital the same day the baby is born and it was quite a surprise for him to learn that was not the case. Personally I want to stay as long as possible before having to go home with a baby!
The class wasn't what we expected at first, but it got better and I'm glad we took it. I didn't really learn much I didn't already know from a medical standpoint, but I didn't know much about labor positions and hospital procedures. I'm interested to see if I use any of the relaxation techniques and labor positions before I can get the epidural.
I had my (almost) 37 week appointment today. I'm measuring at 38 weeks, so pretty much right on track. Last week I was told I was going to have a big baby, and I asked the OB (a different one from last week) about that this morning. His reply was "That's what it looks like, but you're also short stature." No one seems to be concerned and have not mentioned having a growth ultrasound, so I'm trying not to worry about it. What I don't want to happen is me to be in labor for hours and hours only to end up with a stuck baby and a c-section. If it's going to end up as a c-section, I'd rather just go for that from the start.
They'll finally start checking me for dilation and effacement next week. I was a little perturbed last week when I found out they don't start checking at 36 weeks like a lot of practices, but it's probably better in the end. I would have ended up obsessing over it and whatever they tell me isn't going to mean much anyway. I have most of the signs of pre-labor (NOT pre-term labor) that are listed in What to Expect When You're Expecting minus losing the mucus plus. We'll just see what happens, but I certainly hope it's sooner rather than later.
How far along: 36 weeks 6 days
Next appointment: Next Wednesday
Any new aches/pains: I've started having occasional bouts of lightening crotch which always catches me off guard. I'm having more and more Braxton Hicks, but there's no pattern to them and they don't hurt. His hard little head is still buried way down in my pelvis which makes for pretty constant pubic bone pain, but it's not too terrible.
Maternity clothes: I'm down to just a handful of outfits I can wear which includes 2 pairs of capri pants for bottoms. My feet have swollen and won't go down, so I can't wear anything but flip flops. Luckily no one seemed to notice (or they ignored it) last week when I wore flip flops with a maternity business suit. Classy.
Sleep: I wake up every 2ish hours all night long. Surprisingly, I'm not exhausted during the day but I don't have much energy when I get home from work.
Best moment this week: Ask me tomorrow when I'm full term.
Movement: He's still squirming around in there.
Food cravings: Anything sweet. All I want to do is bake yummy things.
Belly button: It's still in and almost completely flat. I told P last night that this is the only body part that hasn't failed me.
What I miss: Having more than 4-5 outfits to choose from. Being able to wear shoes. Being able to clean the bathtub without it feeling like I've run a marathon.
What I'm looking forward to this week: Full term tomorrow!!
Weekly wisdom: If you have a lot of things to accomplish on the weekends, just pick one and do it. Then re-evaluate how much energy you have.
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