While it has been an amazing experience with Grayson, we have had our fair share of difficulties. One of the major ones is the curse of the bed. Even in the hospital, we had trouble with keeping him in the consistent sleeping place. I had to have him sleep with me during our hospital stay, and that continued when we got home. We could put him down most places while sleeping during the first week in the daytime, but nighttime was a completely different. He would be fine for the first few minutes of being in the pack-n-play, but it seemed that once he figured out that he wasn't with us that he was screaming off his head. We could only get sleep if he was sleeping with us in the bed. This made us a bit nervous because he was so small, and we worried about something happening to him while in the bed. To help with that, we got a co-sleeper bed, and this worked for a short time. Suddenly last week, we started having trouble again with him sleeping. He started being extremely fussy about being in the co-sleeper. He was also having issues with sleeping just with us in the bed. However, once Brett took him to the living room, he would fall asleep instantly on the couch next Brett. Plus he had developed a horrible spit-up problem, which will come late. Needless to say, we had several very rough nights. We took the weekend to recharge, and I managed to get a copy of The Happiest Baby on the Block dvd. We had been told about the 5 s's, but we were still unsure about somethings. The dvd was great at explaining all the elements to us. We implemented it Sunday night, and it has been much better at night. We also made the decision to make the transition to him sleeping completely in crib. We could have gone to the pack-n-play, but we felt that it was better to have one transition rather than having to make another one while I am back in school. I wasn't thrilled by this option because I was worried it was a little soon, but as Brett pointed out, it is more logical to do it while I am still home and get extra sleep than when I return to school and need more sleep. The first night was really rough on me. I had trouble sleeping because he wasn't an arms reach for me to check-on. So far, things have gone fairly smoothly thanks to the 5 s's. Brett is definitely better at using them than me. There are still some rocky moments, but it looks as if we will be on smooth path hopefully by the time I head back to school.
Last week also saw his spitting up become a problem. He had had what we considered normal amounts, and he was nursing like a little piglet so it was nothing to write home about. First, he started to spit up more after feeds, and then he was spitting up during feeds. He also became really fussy and difficult to feed, and he also started have more volume, coughing, and wheezing when he was spitting up. I finally had it and called the nurse at the doctor's office on Saturday. She said that it sounded like a possible case of acid reflux. Since we had company on Saturday, I couldn't take him in until Monday. They weighed him first to see if he was gaining weight, and he weighed in at 6 lb 5.5 oz. This meant he had gained 10 oz since his last weigh-in, and he was up to an oz gain a day, which was fantastic. After a quick exam, Dr F came to the conclusion that Grayson has colic. He said since Gray had gained weight along with the major fussiness and spitting up happening at night. Unfortunately, colic seems to be just a classification for fussy babies from what we can tell, and there isn't really a solution. Colic can be caused by other sources, but the doctor didn't seem to think anything major is going on. Dr F gave me a lesson on burping (thank goodness because I was doing it wrong) and made a suggestion of after eating placement. The only other hope we have is that he should outgrow it by 3 to 3 1/2 months. Here's to crossing our fingers that this does happen.
Tuesday was the last day of cheer camp, and the new varsity coach invited me to come to their afternoon performance. She kept it a surprise from the girls so they were really shocked when I walked in the door, and Gray got his first taste of girl adoration. They all wanted to hold him over and over again, and they couldn't help but coo over how little and cute he was. One of the girls swore to me he couldn't be real since he was so little. Two of them also told me they were taking him home. I said go ahead and see how they liked the 2:30 screaming matches! It was great to see them and the improvement they have made. If they can keep it together, I am sure this year will be great for them. I am a bit sad I don't get to be apart of it as their coach.
This week is half way over, and then I will only have three more weeks left with my little man full time. Since things were timed just right, my doctor's leave ends the week before school starts. I would love to take the remaining 4 of my 12 week FMLA, but since I can't use any of my days and get docked pay, it wouldn't be financially responsible. The time off will come in handy later in the year. It is scarey to know that soon I will have to take some time to prep for the new school year. At least I don't have to put together stuff for a sub, which is one of my least favorite things about being a teacher. Well, I guess I will leave this evening with some new photos of Mr. Grayson.
Week 4 Chair Pictures
Mommy's fingers are the best
Up close and personalOne last one of what I am saying is him smiling
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