We're also trying to figure out her digestive issues. Phoebe is a pretty cranky baby and we're pretty sure it has something to do with her tiny digestive system. We thought the culprit was gas, but the doctor thinks it could also be baby acid reflux. We're trying Zantac for the next few weeks to see if that makes a difference. I've also cut out caffeine and dairy from my diet and we've switched up the formula that we use to supplement what she gets from me. Now we're using a special formula that is gentle on tummies. On top of all of that we've tried several other gas remedies recommended by moms in our playgroup. It turns out there are a couple of other fussy babies in our group (or maybe the moms with fussy babies are just extra motivated to get out of the house) :)
In other exciting news, Phoebe and I have our first official playdate next week! We're going to go hang out with another mom and baby from our group. That baby is almost six weeks old, but I think Phoebe can keep up - she is an especially smart baby :) We've decided that fussy or not, it is time for Phoebe to start meeting some of our friends, so next week is pretty busy for us. On Tuesday we're going to a get together at a colleague's house where Phoebe will get to meet a lot of our California friends. On Wednesday we have parents' group and on Thursday we have our playdate. Then next weekend we're taking a big trip up to Palo Alto to watch the Super Bowl with our friends Geoff and Kristen. They have an older baby (I think he's probably around 16-18 months right now but I actually don't remember exactly). Their baby was always extremely well-behaved and calm, so we're hoping he can teach Phoebe all about being a calm baby!
As always, here are a few pictures that we've taken since the last post. Sorry if they start to get a little repetitive - Phoebe does a limited set of things these days. Also, we'll spare you the pictures of Phoebe melt-downs :)
It seems like every day, Phoebe gets more aware of her surroundings and tries to interact more with us and things around her. She loves hanging out on her play mat and spends a chunk of time there every day. Right now she really only hits the toys by accident, but she is fascinated by them, and we're looking forward to when her play time is a little more intentional.
Here she is contemplating the animals on the mobile on her swing. She is also demonstrating her mastery of the keeping-pacifier-in-mouth skill. Actually, she hasn't quite mastered it yet and hiccups typically cause the pacifier to go flying, but she does like the pacifier and it sometimes really works to calm her down. At first we thought she didn't like the pacifiers we got, so we went back and bought one of every brand sold at Babies R Us (desperate times = desperate measures my friends) only to find that in the end she does prefer the brand we originally bought. Of course, the pacifier is just a poor substitute for her favorite object to suck - Mom and Dad's fingers! We think we could make a killing marketing pacifiers with dismembered fingers on them - gruesome, but as we are learning, new parents will buy ANYTHING that promises to calm a fussy baby!
Jeremy's Aunt Gladys sent us this beautiful plate to commemorate Phoebe's birth. We were excited to get it and think it will look great on the wall in Phoebe's nursery ...
... of course, from Danger's perspective, Aunt Gladys sent him a huge box full of packing peanuts!! What a great day for the kitty! I bet Aunt Gladys didn't realize she was sending two gifts in one :)
I just thought that this was a cute picture of sleeping Phoebe. The afghan she is sleeping on was knit by a member of the congregation at our friend Hope's church. Jeremy and I joked that as the pastor she has a whole sweatshop full of old ladies at her disposal when she needs a blanket knit :) Anyway, we thought those old ladies might enjoy seeing a picture of their blankie in use (that is, if Hope gives them Internet breaks). You can also see how Phoebe sleeps - we swaddle her up in a baby straight-jacket. It looks a little cruel, but it really works and she seems to like it (well, she likes being swaddled, but not the swaddling process).
Another exciting development in baby-land is the discovery of our fingers and how delicious they are. I am not sure how deliberate the fingers-to-mouth transition is yet, but Phoebe loves to suck her fingers and sometimes her entire fist. I must say though that the finger sucking is very loud and slobbery at this point.
Just another cute finger-sucking picture. Since she spends a lot of her time fussing, we take lots of pictures when there is a peaceful moment. Speaking of which, she is just waking up now so I should run. I typically have about 20 seconds from the first little baby coos indicating "mother, I may be awakening soon and will most likely be interested in some lunch" to all out "WHERE THE BLEEPITY BLEEP IS MY BLEEPING BOTTLE??!! DID I NOT REQUEST LUNCH A WHOLE 20 SECONDS AGO??!! THE SERVICE IN THIS PLACE SUCKS"or, at least that is what I imagine she would say could she talk.
Yay for making through the first 4 weeks! That's quite an achievement. Baby Zantac helped Nathan a lot, so I hope it helps you all too. I also bought one of every pacifier at Target in the hopes of reclaiming my pinkie finger. Nathan did switch between ones he preferred, so don't write off the investment yet. Also, when Phoebe outgrows the swaddling blankets, there are a variety of other baby straightjackets you can buy, we went through a whole succession of them--Nathan only slept swaddled until he was at least 4 months old. Enjoy your trips out of the house!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! Our fingers are definitely crossed for the baby Zantac. We know it is too early to really tell, but we feel like it is already starting to make a small difference. Although, maybe that is just wishful thinking :) We'll have to get your advice on the swaddling blankets. Our current swaddler is the Halo sack with the velcro swaddle attachment. I have heard good things about the miracle blanket - did you try that? I saw some nice muslin swaddling blankets at Target, but I think we need something that has actual restraints built in - Phoebe can too easily break out of a mere blanket :) Currently we swaddle at night but not during the day - we're hoping it will be a signal to "sleep longer" when she is swaddled.
ReplyDeleteHappy one month birthday Phoebe! You have grown so much. Everyone is so excited that you are coming to Michigan in March. Great Grandma Tomkinson is looking forward to meeting you and seeing your Mom too.
ReplyDeleteKate and Jeremy, thanks for the pictures. I hope the medication works. I think maybe you should have a couple pictures of Phoebe meltdowns because they are impressive. Congratulations on making the one month mark. Hopefully things will settle down and the sleep deprivation will be a thing of the past. Take care.