Saturday, February 9, 2013

After a quick trip to the doctor yesterday, I'm now on an antibiotic for a sinus infection, Ryan's been on an antibiotic since Thursday and Abigail isn't getting worse. So, I hope that means we are on the mend. My little former 23 weeker is just a rock star and is getting frustrated by all of us sickies. She really didn't like the fact that mommy didn't have a voice this morning. Our goal is to all be well by next weekend and get our house back in order.

We are also about 4 days into an approximate 10 day treatment of colic for Abigail and the results are remarkable. I've had multiple people comment on what a calm, content baby I have and that was not the case even last week. She slept through her entire exam at the doctor on Thursday. And that is with a cold. She even nurses without fussing like she has been doing for weeks. She just doesn't seem to be in pain anymore. I just may be able to continue breastfeeding as well. Remarkable. I'll have a full review when treatment is complete. This doctor basically believes colic is caused by a weak valve in the intestines and a simple massage strengthens that muscle. He has had 100% success with babies all over the country ( and even in Scotland.) I'm beginning to see my happy baby again.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

I'll start by saying I love the NoseFrida Snotsucker. Not sure how I survived Olivia's infancy without one (oh yeah, she was never sick because we hibernated for 2 years.) Works sooo much better than a bulb syringe. Yes, Abigail has a bad cold. I took her into the doctor today and her lungs were clear, ears looked fine, etc. I have a bad head cold too and Ryan has a sinus infection. One big, happy, snot filled family. Poor Abigail has the worst sounding cough and she has so much mucus, she'll throw up. Hoping she feels better soon.

Olivia, the well one of the family somehow, decided a few days ago that she was going to wear her glasses all the time. And she meant it! She even put them on after her bath while she got ready for bed. Four years of constant nagging and reminding has come to an end. I have no idea how she came about this decision but she's growing up before my eyes!!

The Rules

Olivia and I had a discussion about the house rules and how they aren't posted anywhere. So tonight Olivia thought of all the rules that we should follow. These are all straight out of Olivia's mouth.

No slamming doors
No climbing on high stuff ( ok, so she's learned her mommy is a little cautious.)
No screaming inside the house
No touching hot stuff
No going down slides backwards
No sleeping under your bed ( darn)
No splashing in the bathtub ( and getting mama wet.)
No taking big stuff to school ( because it doesn't fit in back pack)
No spilling food on the floor ( sorry Abigail)
No locking doors
No hitting
No putting tape all over
No running from mama
No falling down the chimney if there is a fire in the fireplace ( and one we all should follow.)
No climbing on the roof
No running in the street
No breaking stuff
No being mean to people
No picking your lip (Olivia and I both have this bad habit.)
No closing your eyes while cooking ( so you don't burn yourself. I must close my eyes a lot.
No grabbing mama's phone from her. ( Ok, so I might have made a teeny suggestion. )

I'm gonna need a really big poster board.

Abigail Harper

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I have a really difficult decision to make. I met with a chiropractor who has treated hundreds upon hundreds of babies with colic and gas related discomforts. I know, i was kinda skeptical too, but he came highly referred by a few people i really trust. He believes colic is caused by a weak valve in the intestines. Over a 2 week period, he strengthens that valve by a simple tummy massage and the baby's discomfort goes away.

http://docscharenberg.com/coliccure.html

Many foods in the breastfeeding mother's diet can aggravate your baby's discomfort. You are asked to abstain from all the" no" foods for 2 weeks and then slowly add them back I'm. I know something in my diet is hurting her, because she is so much better on formula. A different baby. It could be beef, tomatoes, fruit, lettuce, any spices, caffeine, it could even be my prenatal vitamin. Protein and fiber are the biggest culprits, not dairy. I base my diet around protein because of my blood sugars. I just didn't realize babies could be so sensitive to everything you eat. So, what do I do? Keep breastfeeding when I know it hurts her tummy? Or switch to formula. It's possible that after 2 weeks I can add those foods back in. So do I pump for 2 weeks? I'm supposed to start a supplement to help boost my supply, but it causes gas discomfort in some babies. What do I do? This morning I fed her a bottle of formula because I didn't want to see her in pain and she kept trying to nurse. It made me cry. So I nursed her and within minutes she was uncomfortable. I'm honestly in tears over it. I try to eat well and do what's best for her and its not working. Praying for some answers soon.

Emily Isbell

There was a young woman by the name of Emily Isbell who was a longtime follower of my blog. She would always send Olivia cards and gifts in the mail. She was only in her 20s, but she was very ill. Tonight I was going through my address book and I came across her address. I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. I would send her thank you cards, but never once did I send something special to her. She had lost both of her parents this past year. I'd send an email, but never did I send her something in the mail. That got me thinking. . .I had not heard from her in a long time. Things have been so crazy, I hadn't noticed. Knowing Emily, she would have a small gift for baby Abigail as she was so excited for her arrival. I looked her up on Facebook and found out she had passed away around the first of November. She never got to even "meet" my sweet Abigail. My heart is broken. For one, the world lost a very thoughtful, caring soul. And I'm so ashamed that I didn't even find out until 3 months later! It gives me peace that she is with her parents and I'm sure she has met my sweet Logan who she cared a lot about. But it still breaks my heart in two.

Monday, February 4, 2013

I'm feeling much better except my achiness and nausea have been replaced with a headache, sore throat and congestion. What a lousy 48 hours that was! Praying the girls don't catch it! On the plus side, I lost 3 more pounds of baby weight, but Olivia doesn't have that luxury. And because I slept for 2 straight days, I'm up at 4:30 am. So I went downstairs, paid bills and bought a new stroller for Abigail. Remind me to someday tell you my awful luck with strollers. I'm so in love with this one. Can't wait!

Well, better try to get some sleep. Thank you to my parents and mother-in-law for taking care of Abigail when I was out of commission. Oh and thanks to Olivia too. What a big helper! Abigail had woken up crying and before I could get in there, Olivia had given Abigail her pacifier and gotten her back to sleep. Nothing like seeing Olivia holding in her pacifier through the bars of the crib just smiling at her sister. Warmed my heart! Olivia is crazy about her and tells me daily that she's the cutest baby ever! I tend to agree.