The Downs - I figured I'd start with the rough stuff so that I can end this post on a positive note. :) D continues to be a grumpy little thing and I'm starting to think it's tummy related. Lots of crying, lots of puking, lots of pooping, etc. Just a little _too_ much of everything to be normal to me. He's also starting to get mucousy stool again. Sort of orangish and I swear I saw some red in it today, which makes me think maybe bloody stool again. If you remember, he had 24hrs where he has having some pretty impressive bloody stools back when he was 3-4 days old. It quit after I started just offering one breast a feeding, so I chalked it up to a foremilk issue. But now I'm starting to think that he has a milk protein allergy. We went through the bloody stool bit with Em, although she never had the fussiness that seems to be happening with D. She ended up on Neocate since even Nutramigen wasn't broken down enough for her. It's definitely a weird experience to have your child's formula UPS'ed to you each month. I don't want to go down that road again, obviously, but I just want him to feel better.
Besides the crying and belly issues, he also has the worst diaper rash ever. Red and raw on his little behind and then broken out with little bumps above his private parts. We've already switched diapers in case it was a reaction to that, but no improvement so far. Because of all of these issues, I've decided to take him back to the doctor tomorrow. I just want answers! As far as feedings go, we are still all over the place. I've decided to stop pumping, however. I'm still not responding to it like I thought I would, and I just don't see the point in continuing if I can't save enough to freeze. So I'm just nursing and also giving formula in bottles. I remember being a wreck when I gave C his first bottle of formula because I wanted nursing to work out so badly. But this time around I've been more calm about it. It is what it is. Truthfully, I see myself going strictly to formula here at some point. Especially if he ends up allergic to milk. I'm having enough trouble keeping myself on track to nurse as long as possible. The thought of also having to completely change my diet literally makes me want to have a panic attack. I'm sad that breastfeeding doesn't form this awesome bond with my baby like it does for almost everyone else. I sometimes think it gets in the way of my bonding. It's happened two times in a row. Sigh. Like I said, it is what it is. I just hope I come out of the doctors office with a plan to treat both his booty and his tummy issues.
The Ups - Besides all the pooping and all the spitting up, he's obviously growing. He's filling his car seat out nicely, getting some pretty impressive baby chub, and I am noticing how much better 0-3mo clothes fit. He's also coming more aware during his wakeful periods. True, those wakeful periods usually have a ton of fussing during them but we do have moments where his eyes will connect with mine and we share a little moment. I need those, since the first 3 weeks haven't been that easy. I also think he's thisclose to smiling. I know it's still a few weeks before any real smiles, but he has smiley eyes. I always joke that he's "smizing". Any fans of America's Next Top Model will get the reference. ;) Sleep is also pretty easy for him. During the day he has problems staying to sleep, which is a mixture of two other kids being wild and the fact he likes to be held while he sleeps. But at night he sleeps SO well. We are usually up twice at night to eat, once around 2-3 and then again sometimes between 6-7. A normal night, he has a 4hr stretch and then a 3hr stretch. Can't beat that!
This coming up week is going to be a doozy, considering DH left this morning for Illinois with his Army Unit and won't be back until next monday. During the day will be fine, since I'm used to being here by myself with all 3 kids anyway, but night-time is going to be tricky. Pray for me!
Just some cuteness.
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