First cold?
My son has his first runny nose. It's not really bad yet, but I won't be surprised if it turns into a real cold. I cried this evening when talking with DH about it. The runny nose and several other "small" things about day-care, plus my sleep deprived state, added up to a little more than I could take for a while. I'm better now, and I know DS will be fine. DH asked what would happen the first time DS did some of the things that little boys will do... I said that the first time he bleeds (from something other than a medical procedure) I will bawl my head off. He thanked me for the warning.
Friday, August 30, 2002
I am shedding like crazy! I wonder when it will get back to normal. I remember a friend telling me about her hair falling out a lot after having her son. No one warned her and she was really worried at first. I also read somewhere that because a pregant woman's hair gets thicker, when the hormones change after she has the baby she will loose the hair normally, but it will seem like a lot more than before.
Thursday, August 29, 2002
From The Color of the Day: Solving Bowel Movement Mysteries
Light yellow to bright green, loose/runny, curdy, lumpy, seedy, creamy, mustard-like
These are normal breastfed stools. The consistency, frequency and color vary from day to day. My wife described the smell as "curried yogurt". Opinions on this odor description differ widely.
-- this is what DS's are like. :-}
Light yellow to bright green, loose/runny, curdy, lumpy, seedy, creamy, mustard-like
These are normal breastfed stools. The consistency, frequency and color vary from day to day. My wife described the smell as "curried yogurt". Opinions on this odor description differ widely.
-- this is what DS's are like. :-}
Dr. Jay Gordon.com - Home - this site was referenced on a Mothering.com discussion forum. It looks good so far!
Just starting to read this article... Changing The Sleep Pattern In The Family Bed... it looks good so far. Take note, that these recommendations are for a baby over 12 months old that is used to the family bed.
Just starting to read this article... Changing The Sleep Pattern In The Family Bed... it looks good so far. Take note, that these recommendations are for a baby over 12 months old that is used to the family bed.
Milk
Tuesday DS's care givers used the 2nd frozen bottle of milk. And the lead teacher wrote a note asking if I could bring more milk since he seems so much happier when his tummy is full. :-(
So I'm doing some research to see if there are ways I can increase my milk supply. Here is one that I found Pump List: FAQs: Supply Boosters. Yesterday I pumped twice in the afternoon instead of once. I got less each time, but the total was more. I am working on drinking more water; I had unintentionally cut back because I wasn't filling up my jug at lunch because I wasn't going home anymore. Getting more sleep would be easier if DS slept longer, but since he isn't getting as much milk in the evening (it seems) he is waking more often at night.
I knew daycare would take some adjustments, but I was thinking more about emotional and schedule, not about pumping.
Tuesday DS's care givers used the 2nd frozen bottle of milk. And the lead teacher wrote a note asking if I could bring more milk since he seems so much happier when his tummy is full. :-(
So I'm doing some research to see if there are ways I can increase my milk supply. Here is one that I found Pump List: FAQs: Supply Boosters. Yesterday I pumped twice in the afternoon instead of once. I got less each time, but the total was more. I am working on drinking more water; I had unintentionally cut back because I wasn't filling up my jug at lunch because I wasn't going home anymore. Getting more sleep would be easier if DS slept longer, but since he isn't getting as much milk in the evening (it seems) he is waking more often at night.
I knew daycare would take some adjustments, but I was thinking more about emotional and schedule, not about pumping.
Tuesday, August 27, 2002
DS slept until 5 this morning! Wow, 7 consecutive hours (and about 5 for me). That kind of got our nursing off schedule, though, so when I pumped this morning at 7:30 I didn't get very much. I didn't get very much at 9:45 either, but hopefully it will be enough for this afternoon so they don't have to use the other frozen bottle of milk for him.
Our frozen stock is getting really low, and I don't know what to do so I can "get ahead". If I were with DS all of the time I would not worry at all about whether he was getting enough milk. If he seemed hungry, I would feed him. And my milk supply would adjust. But when he is bottle fed, my milk supply doen't know that it needs to adjust.
I'm in my 8th week back at work, so the pattern hasn't really changed. I just have a bad feeling about it. Maybe I think that the daycare staff is too quick to give him a bottle, when he might not really be hungry. He will drink it if it's there, but if you distract him or make sure his diaper is okay, that may really be all he needs.
Our frozen stock is getting really low, and I don't know what to do so I can "get ahead". If I were with DS all of the time I would not worry at all about whether he was getting enough milk. If he seemed hungry, I would feed him. And my milk supply would adjust. But when he is bottle fed, my milk supply doen't know that it needs to adjust.
I'm in my 8th week back at work, so the pattern hasn't really changed. I just have a bad feeling about it. Maybe I think that the daycare staff is too quick to give him a bottle, when he might not really be hungry. He will drink it if it's there, but if you distract him or make sure his diaper is okay, that may really be all he needs.
Friday, August 23, 2002
I just got back from feeding DS, and I feel better today than I did this time yesterday (and much better than this morning). DS had about a 30 minute nap this morning, and was quite eager for part 1 of lunch when I got there shortly before 12. He was content for quite a while, so we played a little, then about 12:30 I fed him part 2 of lunch, and he fell asleep. We put him in his crib and he stayed asleep, so I left. He's getting used to all of the people and extra noises, I think. Oh, he still had on his outfit from this morning, too. :-) I put a "doubler" in with the diaper since his first diaper after waking/changing is usually very wet, even at home.
I didn't cry yesterday, but I did today. It wasn't so much because of taking DS to daycare, but that plus a misunderstanding with DH...
DH was planning on coming with us today, to see the routine for dropping DS off and for taking pictures. We were running later today than yesterday, but that didn't bother me since I can easily be late to work, and DH doesn't have to be there until 8:30 (and his normal location is not too far from the day care). Well, as we were getting ready to leave the house, DH said he wasn't taking the camera because of time, I said it would only take a couple of minutes for pictures, and asked "couldn't you be late today?" If he answered that last question, I missed it. I thought, but didn't say, "then why are you coming, if you're not bringing the camera?" I took DS and DH took our bags.
When we got to daycare, DH left the camera in his car and wanted to hurry. I asked why, and he explained that he had a meeting at 8:30 at his secondary location (the one that is closer to home and further from daycare). So I quickly showed him how to sign DS in and took the bags that he brought. Then he left. Then I talked with the teachers, gave them the milk, discussed cloth diapering a bit (since they're all new to that), and kissed and said goodbye to DS. Then I got in the car and cried.
It really isn't a huge deal, but my nerves and "this short" and I didn't sleep well last night. If DH had said something obvious while we were getting ready I could have gotten ready faster. If he had said something specific as we were leaving the house I would have taken all of the bags and suggested that he come on Monday instead of today.
It is just a simple miscommunication, but it pushed me over the emotional edge that I have been teetering on for the past week. So I am sitting here, at my desk at work, wiping my tears with DS's washcloth/droolrag, hoping that no one comes in to see me just yet. I'm glad it's Friday.
DH was planning on coming with us today, to see the routine for dropping DS off and for taking pictures. We were running later today than yesterday, but that didn't bother me since I can easily be late to work, and DH doesn't have to be there until 8:30 (and his normal location is not too far from the day care). Well, as we were getting ready to leave the house, DH said he wasn't taking the camera because of time, I said it would only take a couple of minutes for pictures, and asked "couldn't you be late today?" If he answered that last question, I missed it. I thought, but didn't say, "then why are you coming, if you're not bringing the camera?" I took DS and DH took our bags.
When we got to daycare, DH left the camera in his car and wanted to hurry. I asked why, and he explained that he had a meeting at 8:30 at his secondary location (the one that is closer to home and further from daycare). So I quickly showed him how to sign DS in and took the bags that he brought. Then he left. Then I talked with the teachers, gave them the milk, discussed cloth diapering a bit (since they're all new to that), and kissed and said goodbye to DS. Then I got in the car and cried.
It really isn't a huge deal, but my nerves and "this short" and I didn't sleep well last night. If DH had said something obvious while we were getting ready I could have gotten ready faster. If he had said something specific as we were leaving the house I would have taken all of the bags and suggested that he come on Monday instead of today.
It is just a simple miscommunication, but it pushed me over the emotional edge that I have been teetering on for the past week. So I am sitting here, at my desk at work, wiping my tears with DS's washcloth/droolrag, hoping that no one comes in to see me just yet. I'm glad it's Friday.
Thursday, August 22, 2002
It was a lot easier to drop DS off at day care this morning than it was to leave him after lunch.
I called around 11:30 to find out when he had eaten and how hungry he was. They said he ate around 9:30 and seemed pretty hungry. I went right over and fed him (one side only) at 11:45. He fell asleep. I learned that he hadn't napped during the morning because every time they put him down after him falling asleep, he woke back up. I told them about our technique of holding in a blanket to fall asleep for naps, so when he is put in the crib he isn't shocked by the coldness of the sheets. This will be especially important at the CDC because they keep the sleeping room quite cool. After about 15 minutes he woke up and we walked around, then about 12:15 I fed him again (the other side). He stayed awake this time but rubbed his eyes quite a bit. I almost got him to go to sleep a couple of times, but with the noise from the other kids and the squeaky glider-rocker, he didn't really get to sleep. I left around 1, and he was quiet and relatively happy but definitely sleepy. If he does fall asleep, he'll probably be out for 1-2 hours. I sure hope he goes to sleep calmly instead of crying hard and getting so sleepy he can't relax. That's really all that I'm worried about now... that he won't get a nice nap or that he'll get so tired that he crys a lot before napping.
I called around 11:30 to find out when he had eaten and how hungry he was. They said he ate around 9:30 and seemed pretty hungry. I went right over and fed him (one side only) at 11:45. He fell asleep. I learned that he hadn't napped during the morning because every time they put him down after him falling asleep, he woke back up. I told them about our technique of holding in a blanket to fall asleep for naps, so when he is put in the crib he isn't shocked by the coldness of the sheets. This will be especially important at the CDC because they keep the sleeping room quite cool. After about 15 minutes he woke up and we walked around, then about 12:15 I fed him again (the other side). He stayed awake this time but rubbed his eyes quite a bit. I almost got him to go to sleep a couple of times, but with the noise from the other kids and the squeaky glider-rocker, he didn't really get to sleep. I left around 1, and he was quiet and relatively happy but definitely sleepy. If he does fall asleep, he'll probably be out for 1-2 hours. I sure hope he goes to sleep calmly instead of crying hard and getting so sleepy he can't relax. That's really all that I'm worried about now... that he won't get a nice nap or that he'll get so tired that he crys a lot before napping.
First day of day care
DS was alert and happy this morning when I dropped him off at the Child Development Center. He slept well last night, falling asleep just after 9:30, waking at 3 to be fed, and again at 6. I fed him at 6 and let him go back to sleep, then I got up about 6:30 and started getting ready for work. Most of the preparations for day care were done last night, everything except for getting this morning's milk ready. DH and I got DS up around 7:15, changed his diaper and got him dressed. DS and I got to the CDC at 7:55 and I was getting out of my car to go to work at 8:10. The timing and planning worked pretty well.
DS was alert and happy this morning when I dropped him off at the Child Development Center. He slept well last night, falling asleep just after 9:30, waking at 3 to be fed, and again at 6. I fed him at 6 and let him go back to sleep, then I got up about 6:30 and started getting ready for work. Most of the preparations for day care were done last night, everything except for getting this morning's milk ready. DH and I got DS up around 7:15, changed his diaper and got him dressed. DS and I got to the CDC at 7:55 and I was getting out of my car to go to work at 8:10. The timing and planning worked pretty well.
Wednesday, August 21, 2002
To sleep on his own
DS fell asleep on his own last night! After feeding, changing, rocking and feeding him, he was quietly sucking on his fingers and gazing up at me with such a wonderful look on his face. But he didn't really seem ready to go to sleep. So I took him to our bedroom and put him down in the cradle and covered his legs with his blanket. He didn't fuss or cry like he sometimes does, so I left the room quietly. A few minutes later I checked in on him and he was asleep. DH reports that he has done this at naptime a few times lately, but usually needs the help of the musical mobile. This slight move toward less dependence on us reduces my anxiety about daycare just a little. Speaking of daycare... DS starts tomorrow!
DS fell asleep on his own last night! After feeding, changing, rocking and feeding him, he was quietly sucking on his fingers and gazing up at me with such a wonderful look on his face. But he didn't really seem ready to go to sleep. So I took him to our bedroom and put him down in the cradle and covered his legs with his blanket. He didn't fuss or cry like he sometimes does, so I left the room quietly. A few minutes later I checked in on him and he was asleep. DH reports that he has done this at naptime a few times lately, but usually needs the help of the musical mobile. This slight move toward less dependence on us reduces my anxiety about daycare just a little. Speaking of daycare... DS starts tomorrow!
Sunday, August 18, 2002
4 days to go
DS starts day care in four days. DH is looking forward to it as much as I am dreading it, and for the same reasons. We are going to start trying to get DS up and dressed and fed by 7:30 tomorrow morning. Our bedtime routine works pretty good, but we need to start it earlier, too. We have 3 days to practice. And I have 3 days to work on my attitude! (I have already warned my supervisor to expect me to be a basket case next Thursday and Friday. I'm glad it's a short week.)
DS starts day care in four days. DH is looking forward to it as much as I am dreading it, and for the same reasons. We are going to start trying to get DS up and dressed and fed by 7:30 tomorrow morning. Our bedtime routine works pretty good, but we need to start it earlier, too. We have 3 days to practice. And I have 3 days to work on my attitude! (I have already warned my supervisor to expect me to be a basket case next Thursday and Friday. I'm glad it's a short week.)
Wednesday, August 14, 2002
Very interesting reading about PCV7, the one that my PCP does not routinely use. Preventing Pneumococcal Disease Among Infants and Young Children
We all survived
We all survived the shots and the rest of the day afterwards. DS was a little fussy, but he is that way sometimes in the afternoon anyway. I let him nurse practically every time he whimpered instead of trying to calm him some other way first and only feed him if he really was hungry. He didn't have any redness or swelling on his legs and seems no worse for the experience now.
We all survived the shots and the rest of the day afterwards. DS was a little fussy, but he is that way sometimes in the afternoon anyway. I let him nurse practically every time he whimpered instead of trying to calm him some other way first and only feed him if he really was hungry. He didn't have any redness or swelling on his legs and seems no worse for the experience now.
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Shots
DS got 2 immunizations today. We decided to not have him get the HepB vaccine, and we are going to make a call to our neurologist before having the DTaP (because of DS's seizure experience at birth), and our PCP doesn't do the Pneumococcal routinely. DS had the IPV polio shot and the HiB shot. One concern I had was that if he had several shots and had a reaction, how would we know which one to avoid or what out for next time. By having just 2, I am more comfortable with that. The DTaP is the one that concerned me the most anyway, with the warnings about seizure history, so I'm glad we're waiting. Our PCP didn't seem alarmed that we were not giving DS all of the shots precisely on schedule which was comforting also. He did pretty much encourage us to have them, though, without being overly pushy.
I nursed DS while he was given the shots, which was new for the RN doing the shots. He screamed and cried very hard after the first one, so much so that I couldn't tell when he got the second one. It took a little while before he slowed down his crying enough to resume nursing. I'm glad we were already started nursing and I didn't have to get my shirt, etc. ready while he was crying. I also am glad that I was holding him comfortably instead of him being held down on the exam table. I think it was the right decision, but I sure am sad right now.
DS got 2 immunizations today. We decided to not have him get the HepB vaccine, and we are going to make a call to our neurologist before having the DTaP (because of DS's seizure experience at birth), and our PCP doesn't do the Pneumococcal routinely. DS had the IPV polio shot and the HiB shot. One concern I had was that if he had several shots and had a reaction, how would we know which one to avoid or what out for next time. By having just 2, I am more comfortable with that. The DTaP is the one that concerned me the most anyway, with the warnings about seizure history, so I'm glad we're waiting. Our PCP didn't seem alarmed that we were not giving DS all of the shots precisely on schedule which was comforting also. He did pretty much encourage us to have them, though, without being overly pushy.
I nursed DS while he was given the shots, which was new for the RN doing the shots. He screamed and cried very hard after the first one, so much so that I couldn't tell when he got the second one. It took a little while before he slowed down his crying enough to resume nursing. I'm glad we were already started nursing and I didn't have to get my shirt, etc. ready while he was crying. I also am glad that I was holding him comfortably instead of him being held down on the exam table. I think it was the right decision, but I sure am sad right now.
Sunday, August 11, 2002
Tongue
DS has discovered his tongue! Yesterday I noticed it sticking out past his lips for the first time. Today on the way to church I was playing with him and sticking my tongue in and out. He mimicked me and stuck his out further. We had fun all day today with his tongue. His noises and "talking" sound different now, too. I think it is because his tongue is moving around a lot when he vocalizes.
DS has discovered his tongue! Yesterday I noticed it sticking out past his lips for the first time. Today on the way to church I was playing with him and sticking my tongue in and out. He mimicked me and stuck his out further. We had fun all day today with his tongue. His noises and "talking" sound different now, too. I think it is because his tongue is moving around a lot when he vocalizes.
Wednesday, August 07, 2002
My DS's next doctor appointment is next Tuesday. It is his "4 month" well baby checkup, a little early. He will be getting any "2 month" vaccines that we decide to have. I've started reading up on vaccinations again. Reflections On Immunity, Vaccinations and Smallpox
Monday, August 05, 2002
Hand to Mouth
DS holds his hands together a lot. If anything is within 6 inches or so of his mouth, his hands go together trying to grab it, then they go towards his mouth. He often grabs the object (especially if it's a blanket or drool rag or his rings) and sometimes he actually gets it to his mouth to chew / drool on.
DS holds his hands together a lot. If anything is within 6 inches or so of his mouth, his hands go together trying to grab it, then they go towards his mouth. He often grabs the object (especially if it's a blanket or drool rag or his rings) and sometimes he actually gets it to his mouth to chew / drool on.
Enjoy the sounds of children
Yesterday the air conditioning in our church nursery wasn't working very well, so the children (an infant & 4 toddlers) moved to the parlor. It is a large carpeted open area that is separated from the sanctuary only by a thick folding curtain. When the pastor explained the possible noise to the congregation, she said "enjoy the sounds of children". I just about cried. I realized (again) how blessed I am to have my DS!
Yesterday the air conditioning in our church nursery wasn't working very well, so the children (an infant & 4 toddlers) moved to the parlor. It is a large carpeted open area that is separated from the sanctuary only by a thick folding curtain. When the pastor explained the possible noise to the congregation, she said "enjoy the sounds of children". I just about cried. I realized (again) how blessed I am to have my DS!
Friday, August 02, 2002
Hearing is fine
DS passed his hearing test this morning. It was a 3-month follow-up from the testing that was done in NICU. There was one imbalance between the right and left sides in the nerve transmission at very soft levels before, but everything came out balanced and fine this time! That's one more "normal" judgement from the medical profession for him... not that we want him to be "normal", mind you, but it's one less thing to worry about from his traumatic first few days.
DS passed his hearing test this morning. It was a 3-month follow-up from the testing that was done in NICU. There was one imbalance between the right and left sides in the nerve transmission at very soft levels before, but everything came out balanced and fine this time! That's one more "normal" judgement from the medical profession for him... not that we want him to be "normal", mind you, but it's one less thing to worry about from his traumatic first few days.
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