Smile!

This is the best picture I could get of his smile. He was being happy and wiggly... I think he looks a bit like a turtle when he smiles, especially when he sticks his neck way out. 

The Colic... Oh nooooooooo....

It started at 3 weeks.  The crying... It kept getting worse and worse every day for a week, week and half (I honestly can't remember).  Less sleep, more crying, more fussing. We were down to only two 2-3 hour stretches of sleep in 24 hours.  It came to a head one Monday morning- I was crying, Peter was distressed and trying to leave for work, I was holding the baby trying desperately to keep him calm. 

My Mom was called, she came and we hatched a plan- call the Dr., and then pack him into the car and shop for a swing and some swaddle wraps.  Up to Bangor we went and we scouted out several swing options, ending up with the Cadillac of swings.  The giant, massive swing I swore I wouldn't put in my house.  It was full of features I now felt I needed- super plush, a mirror, rotating bird mobile, white noise an lullabies.  It. Is.  Awesome.  

Lunch and then down to the Dr. we went, meeting Peter there.  The Dr. couldn't really say what was wrong- he was healthy and growing (a huge relief- at least he was thriving).  We decided to try some reflux medicine and hold him upright after feeding for 20 minutes to help him digest.  

That evening we gave him the medicine, held him upright and Peter put together the swing.  I placed him in it, and... HE SLEPT!!!!  I ate some dinner without a baby screaming.  I took a deep breath.  That night was better and in the morning he went down for a nap in the swing. We were also swaddling him in these wraps that use velcro to keep him wrapped up (he was busting out the swaddle blankets).  

Since then we have continued the medicine and have started swaddling him for up to 20 hours a day.  His tummy issues seem to be improving- I suspect that as he gets bigger and his digestive system develops he will get better.  

We've also added an awesome Boba carrier to our arsenal of baby soothing tools.  He loves being carried in it and we can hold him AND get some things done.  Walk the dog, do the dishes, go to the bathroom (yeah...).  

For the past few nights he has been sleeping in his crib, which has been a huge success.  He loves it.  We are getting into a loose routine involving play, a story, swaddling, nursing then down in the crib by 9pm.  I can get almost 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep this way, which is the only way I am managing back at work. 

It was rough and we only made it through with the help of my parents, especially my Mom.  Thank goodness for help and one sane person to come in and get us through the day.  

And thank goodness for a wonderful husband, who has been dealing with this while going back to work.  He was tired and frustrated, but never made me feel like I was in this alone.  

And THANK GOODNESS FOR PACIFIERS!!!  

A very tired, cranky baby boy

Coming up for air...

I'm back at work part-time for the next two weeks, then full-time.  It's nice to have a change of scenery for part of the day...

Oliver is doing great.  We had a very rough patch with colic (him) and lack of sleep (me).  The last three nights he has slept in the crib and has managed one 6-hour stretch a night, which has been heaven.  I get up to nurse him sometime between 1-3 am and then he goes back down until 5am (we are installing shades to see if he'll sleep just one more hour after sunrise).  I sleep better because I am not hearing every little noise he makes and he is sleeping better on the comfy crib mattress vs. the this bassinet pad.

He's over 10 pounds now, getting some nice baby-fat rolls.  He's long, too.  The 0-3 months clothes are loose on his chest, but the arms and legs are are getting too short!  Good thing it will be warm enough soon for him to wear onesies instead of sleepers all day.

We went and checked out the daycare today.  I think it will be great- the lady who runs it (and watches the babies under 1) is very nice and put me at ease. It is only a few minutes away from where I work and I will be able to go an nurse him there at lunch if I want to.  That is reassuring that I can drop in unannounced. They don't have anything to hide...

Here are some pictures... more on flickr, email me or comment here if you need the link.

Colick!

Ugh. It's been a long week... Oliver was getting increasingly fussy, and at the peak he was only sleeping for two 3-4 hour stretches in any 24 hour period. The rest of the time he was screaming or nursing (sometimes both, that was fun...). So yesterday, as I was sobbing, a plan was hatched and we did a full- court press on the problem. We saw the Dr, who prescribed some acid reflux meds and I'm going to eliminate dairy for at least a week. We also bought this gigantic swing. 2 months ago I would have bristled at the thought of such a giant thing, but, damn. What a fantastic piece of equipment. Last night I was able to eat dinner without a screaming baby. And right now he's having a morning nap! Thank god. Maybe things are looking up. At the very least I've had a few sane hours, which were desperately needed.

(Oh, and a bonus pic of his receding hairline!)