Rice Cereal TMI

While I know this may be Too Much Information for some of you, I figure most of you are moms and you can stomach a little talk of the number 2 ... or lack thereof.

Introduction to rice cereal went so well last week.  Charlotte was opening wide and enthusiastically eating!  In fact, my normally laid back baby let me know loud and clear how she feels about her rice cereal.  As I brought the bowl toward her high chair, she kicked her little feet and squealed with delight. When I realized it was still just a little too hot, I took a few steps away - with the bowl still in my hand - and Charlotte started to cry complete with a pouty lip and all.  I had never seen her do that before, and I couldn't help but smile at her ability to communicate :)

Well, it must've been foreshadowing because that rice cereal caused a lot more crying.  Not the cute kind of crying.  The kind that lets you know your baby is in pain ... and it just about breaks your heart.  Apparently all that rice cereal did a number on Charlotte's digestive system, which kept her from doing a number.  Wednesday night she had a tough time sleeping and woke up actually crying (very unusual) several times.  After an hour of consoling her, Chad brought her downstairs to hang out in her bouncer chair for a while.  She was somewhat productive - and finally went to sleep.  

Saturday afternoon we had a repeat performance of the fussies, and it was clear that she was in pain.  She would bear down and get red in the face and then just wail.  After forty minutes, a dose of Mylicon, and some leg bicycling, I was beside myself.  I called my mom.  I called my sister.  I called the doctor.  While I was on the phone, poor Charlotte passed out from the exhaustion of it all.  The doctor calmed me down, assured me that "this too shall pass," and suggested that we stop rice cereal for at least a week.  Charlotte had several more bouts of tummy aches until finally Sunday morning the diaper was filled, and my happy baby returned.

I am frustrated because I hate to see Charlotte in pain.  Clearly her digestive system is not quite ready for the next step. But also because I thought rice cereal - the start of solids - was going to help with her very slow weight gain.  When I weighed her last night - one week since her 6-month check-up - I was disappointed to find out that she weighs exactly the same.  She hasn't gained an ounce in a week.  Does that seem right?!  At one point she was up 4 ounces, but now she's back at 11 pounds 5 ounces.  I will talk to the doctor again tomorrow and come up with a plan to re-introduce solids.  I also need to tell her that I was mixing the rice cereal with formula (not breastmilk because I hate the thought of pumping) because maybe that has something to do with the constipation.

At least my baby girl is back on the poop-wagon ... for  now :)

Slice of my day

This should give you some indication of the kind of day I had ...

In the span of about 20 minutes ...

I woke NHV from her nap.  Not something I like to do, but I can't let her sleep much past 4:30 for fear of totally messing with her bedtime.

As soon as I opened the door, I knew something was amiss ... the smell that greeted me was of the number two variety.  This is unusual but understandable considering the potty training success we've been having for the past week ... 

And so, I grabbed a handful of wipes and went about the business of cleaning up the mess that had been festering for a three-hour nap.  As if waking her up didn't make her grumpy enough, this little task was made even more delightful by constant whining and thrashing about.

During this time ... about two minutes in ... CJV woke up from her nap.  Thankfully she was patient enough to allow me to bag the stinky diaper, put a pair of panties and pants on NHV, and wash my hands before going to get her.

However NHV did not intend to be nearly as patient when waiting for her post-nap "saaa-nack" and "geeenk."  So I hauled CJV downstairs, poured juice one-handed and grabbed a few graham crackers.  Stomped back upstairs to my awaiting, now less grumpy, and more appreciative toddler.

CJV was starting to squirm pretty hard-core by this point.  She was all like, "Yo, mama, where's the milk truck?  I'm starving over here!"

Plopped down in the glider and got to the business of nursing.  In the meantime, NHV was just outside the nursery playing in her kitchen.  I couldn't see her, but I could hear her banging pots and pans, talking to herself, and having a great time.  And then, it got quiet.  Too quiet.  Followed by the dreaded, "Uh-oh,"  that could only mean she peed in her pants.

Still nursing, but knowing that Natalie would freak out about the wet pants, I asked her if she could take off her pants and panties.  A tiny struggle ensued and then I saw a streak of naked booty flash by the door.  A naked Natalie is a happy Natalie ... whatever, I've got to finish feeding the baby.

Then I hear Natalie say, "Oh, I know.  I get a wipe."  She wanted to clean up the mess on the floor.  I felt a glimmer a pride and even cracked a tiny smile.

Once CJV was finished eating, I changed her diaper, put her under the mobile and went to get clean clothes for Natalie.  As I entered the hallway, I quickly assessed the damage.  Saw a small wet spot that she'd wiped up herself.  And then, did a double-take as a brown clump caught my eye.  Oh no, she didn't!  Except yes, yes, she did!  

I know she didn't purposefully poo on the floor.  I am guessing it was in her panties when I suggested she take them off ... in the hopes of avoiding a meltdown about being in wet pants.  Which technically - in some perverse way - makes it my fault, right?

Yep, the life of a SAHM.  Glamorous?  Not so much.  Interesting?  Sure.  Entertaining?  Always!

I am so glad it's the weekend, and CPV will be home for the next three days.  This mama needs a b-r-e-a-k!