I just posted a recent pic of Ian in my journal. BTW, I meant to tell you all that our ped said to go ahead with solid food at any time. I have some organic Gerber veggies and fruits and I picked up a nice organic oatmeal to get me started while I figure out what I'm going to do. I'm not sure when I'm going to start, but I like having stuff at the ready for when I do. I'll let you know when and how it goes!

Good news on the solids. I like the idea of organic oatmeal cereal rather than rice cereal.

We are going to the hearing specialist Thursday and the pediatrician on Friday. I can't wait to find out what Mason weighs......I bet it is a lot. He is a big boy!

Also, glad Ian is feeling better.

Ooh, do report back on Mason's stats. I'm curious to see what they are as he is a big guy. Good luck with the hearing. I'm sure it'll be ok but I know it can been a bit troublesome.

You k now what's funny is Ian is doing well in terms of growing and is a "big" fella, but is now meeting the 50th percentile with weight yet the 90th with height - kinda surprising to me, though as long as he's healthy that's fine. I just know he's not eating that much formula. But since he got sick we're taking it really slow. I could tell he was feeling a bit better...the hunger kicking in...when I fed him 4.5 oz at 2pm and then he wanted to eat again at 4pm...did 2.5 oz then and 2 around 4:30 and now he's napping again. I'm not pushing a schedule much while he's sick but he's still on a good one. I just know his body is working to make up for lost time when he's hungry again 2 hours later - poor guy is only up to 17 oz for the day now but at least he's got one more feed so he should make it over 20oz.

Ok, so I gotta ask...how does everyone (as in our babies) sleep? I've done the "back to sleep" swaddle (miracle blanket) successfully for some time, though he's struggling a bit with it for naps. Also the shape of his head is becoming an issue - enough to make the ped make me take him to a specialist. Ugh. So I decided to try something a couple days ago that has worked brilliantly. I put Ian on his side and he curled up just as comfy as you can be and naps perfectly that way. I guess his startle reflex - that is very sensitive like him - works overtime when he's on his back and he doesn't relax well. I'm hoping this will work twofold...he'll nap better and being on his right side this way might allow his head to balance out again (since he favors the left). We'll see!

Mason likes to curl up on his side, too. Its so cute. He always lays in positions just like his dad. He either curls up on his right side or he lays flat on his back with his arms up and hands behind his head.

Ok, so I was right...Mason is a big boy. He is 17 lbs 6 oz, and he is 26 inches long.

Also, an update on his hearing....He definitely has fluid behind the eardrum and moderate hearing loss. We went to Children's Hospital yesterday. They have an amazing staff there. They were very patient and informative. Mason will need a few more diagnostic appointments. I am not sure what will be next, but hopefully it will improve his hearing. Also, its worse in one ear than the other.

Between those tests and his boosters today, my normally sweet giggly baby was NOT happy at all. Poor guy......

Glad you're figuring out what's going on with Mason's hearing. It sounds like a great staff where you're going, which should make this process a lot easier.

We've had a rough time of it lately. Ian had his first sickness I guess? Monday he couldn't keep anything down to the point I learned about pedialyte and that there are acetaminophen suppositories. We got him back on track Tuesday only for him to be kind of off Wednesday and puke up his meals that night. He's been up earlier than he used to be and (4-5am) though still sleeping through thankfully. Add to that shots on Monday and everything else and he's suffering. I really feel like someting is wrong with his tummy. Does anyone else hear gurgling and rumbling in the tummy when drinking formula? Right now we have him on gentle formula but we might try the rice-added kind soon. I don't know. We also have the go ahead for solids but I hate throwing things at him so much. I'm so confused.

Add to that I was caring for my Mom Wednesday (she was throwing up all day) and then I was out of commission yesterday. I couldn't get out of bed. I was naueseous and exhausted and have sinus pressure that killed...went to the doc for more antibiotics thinking my infection came back. Hopefully my body can now heal, if only I can get some time to rest. It's been pretty bad so if you don't see me around as much that's why...

Take care all...hope everyone's little ones are doing well.

Mason's belly does gurge and make a lot of noise especially if he is really hungry. My husband and I joke that we can actually hear his belly filling up. Also, he does spit up all the time; however, we all know there is a vast difference between spitting up and throwing up.

Not to further confuse the issue, but have you asked the pediatrician if it is possible that he has an allergy to the regular formula and may need the soy variety. I have quite a few friends who have had major problems with the regular and have switched to soy and had the issues relieved. The issues they were having did have to do with throwing up, gassiness, and general fussiness in connection with feeding times. I don't know if you have already explored that option, but maybe ask the doc.?

That is the only other thing I can think of.

I hope it gets better, and I hope both you and your mother are feeling better soon.

Mason's other caretaker has strep throat. Thankfully, Mason is not showing any signs of being sick. We are just watching out for it.

Thanks for the suggestions, Jess. Yes, it's crossed my mind about allergies. We are taking one step at a time. The ped suggested trying the gentle formula and then switching to Enfamil AR. It would mean we couldn't go generic anymore but that's ok. At this point he's just so traumatized so many feeds we're willing to do whatever it takes. It seems like it's worse lately and that he's just so hungry. I'm hoping the added rice helps. If it doesn't we might go back to regular formula and try solids? I have no idea anymore and I'm so exhausted...Mom is still in bed and I'm not exactly feeling great but at least I'm not so dead I can properly care for everyone. Ian also had a bad, bad day involving that rage-filled kind of screaming. I know it's a vicious cycle but it just sucks the life out of me.

I'm supposed to go to a friend's son's first communion tomorrow but I think I'm begging off and sending Jeff as as representative while the rest of us just stay put and rest up and try to heal. I desperately need a break. Ugh.

I'll try to check in again soon...but if I don't you'll know why!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Mother's Day.

Things are kinda rough by me but when I can sort of breathe again I'll try to check in. Take care!

I meant to sneak in here earlier and wish everyone a happy Mother's Day, but, um, I forgot.

So fwiw, I hope everyone had a good day.

I am way late on the Happy Mother's Day wishes. We have been moving rooms around. Yes, after month's of discussing it and working out the logistics (we move slowly at my house), Mason is finally in his own room. We have been moving furniture and organizing and getting it set up.

So Happy Mother's Day! I can roll over in bed again without worrying that I will wake the baby.

I'm taking a break from posting in my journal and generally online so if anyone needs me, PM me so I'll get an e-mail at home. Or e-mail me directly too. Both are fine. Take care <hugs>

Hey all, how is everyone doing? Some serious crickets chirping around here...

We are enjoying the sunshine in our neck of the woods. Hannah has been wearing just a onesy (sp). For the longest time she had been wearing footie jammies and a onesy. Now that here little tootsie toes are exposed it is like she has found a second pair of hands. She has to touch everything with them. She hasent figured out how to get them in her mouth yet though . EVERYTHING is going into her mouth these days.

She is also enjoying floor time. She has almost perfected rolling from her back to her stomache. She hates being on her stomache (makes her barf) so no stomache to back yet. Hannah and big bro J-Man love playing on the blanket together. He is the best big brither on the planet.

Switched the nipples on the glass evenflo bottles to the walmart brand "parents choice" nipples. They are made by Nuby and do not leak at all (except from the tip (but we have caps)) and Hannah loves them. We got her the fast flow and she is doing great. She was getting too frusterated with the slow flows. She is still not a real big eater though. 21oz on most days. 4X 5.25oz bottles somtimes 5 bottles.

We tried to give here more in a sitting and boy was that a mistake. Talk about mega mondo vometing. Nearing projectile proportions. I am NOT talking a little spit up here. She just cant handle/cant be trusted with more than 5.25oz in a sitting. Tried smaller feedings and she would get all pissed. Then she will not eat for another 3.5-4 hours. She looks healthy though so I guess that is what is important.

She has been chatting up a storm too. Mostly vowels with the odd constanant thrown in. It is like she trying to communicate. I talk then she coos. So cute. She is also giving us the odd chuckle. Gotta love that. And that shriek/squeak has remained a managable volume TG!

Anyways, just wanted to check in and say hi

Glad to hear things are going well over there, and the squeak has stayed manageable. I switched to the Evenflow glass as well as the BPA free plastics were starting to really leak on me. We love them.

Mason is going through a fussy phase as I am sure he is teething, but he is chatting up a storm and rolling over very well when he is not screaming. Also, we started cereal, and he loves it.

Its pretty funny, though. He doesn't understand that you have to reload the spoon. You can't just keep sucking on it like a bottle.

Hi Ladies...

As you know I've been MIA as I try to pull together lots of craziness in my life, but I wanted to check in. I'm thinking of you often and glad for the updates.

It's been a hard road lately. Everyone looks at Ian -- so cute and sweet -- and they love to say how much "fun" I have with him. Well yes, there have been amazing moments of that and I try so hard to cherish and appreciate that. But honestly I felt the last month was even worse than when he was just born and we never got sleep. There have been so many difficult moments for me. The night wakings were horrible, getting worse and worse like some crazy regression and between the possible "almost teething" and food issues I thought I was going to go batty. How anyone could expect me to clean and organize the house and run the business was beyond me. He was sucking every bit of energy I had. And then in the last few weeks everyone in my house got sick and I got so rundown caring for them, it was awful. The worst was when I really need Jeff to spell me a bit last weekend (crying baby all day, desperate to take the last weekend I had left to spring clean) and he comes home sick which means days of no reprieve, especially when my mom was under the weather and she can't help that much anyhow. God, I don't know how single moms do it - I am in awe!

In the way of good news, Ian does seem to be doing better. He is growing like crazy...up to 15 pounds plus and about 26 1/4 inches. He's eating oatmeal for his meals and we've just introduced green beans. I struggled with his gas and spitting up but Enfamil AR seemed to help and I've just discovered Similac Sensitive RS, which is similar. It's readymade so it's even more expensive and it's lactose free, which may or may not be necessary. All I know is that the consistency of it is much nicer (thick but not as thick and clumpy as the AR) and it's certainly easy to work with since it's readymade! I calculated out the difference in price between the two (had to convert to liquid ounces and compare how much I'd need per week) and I figure the Similac would be $7 more each week. Ouch. But I have to admit, to see him responding so well to formula...we just might have to find the money to keep this up.

So we'll see how things go, but Ian is eating more and spitting up FAR less and smiling and interacting more and even sleeping better. It's a vicious cycle turned around. I've thought all along the poor guy was just hungry and things just haven't been agreeing with him, so as much as he'd want to eat he just couldn't take in what we necessary to satisfy him. I tried Good Start just to test those "comfort proteins" and the poor guy was like a volcano. So, back to the thickened formula for now and I don't think I'll try anything else. I've learned my lesson. And I guess it doesn't hurt that now that he's eating solids I've been a bit more flexible on feeding him formula (waiting a bit, splitting feeds) and that probably helps his tummy too.

He's still stronger with his legs than his arms, but he's reaching out more and also getting so much more vocal. It's such a pleasure to hear things other than whiney cries, which he's all too good at. He LOVES to put his fingers in his mouth...ALL the time. And he's still drooling like a maniac, but I'm not sure if teething is part of the equation or not. Thankfully he's a natural at eating from a spoon. He does push out some bites of food, but mostly eats from a spoon like he's been doing it all along! He doesn't have a lot of patience (gee, ya think - I knew that the minute he arrived) but when I work WITH him (read his signs, respect how he feels) he is such a delight. He's still an intense and observant little boy, but he smiles often for family and people he knows and likes and his whole face lights up.

I'm off to get some breakfast while he naps and get ready for a family outing today. Hope you are all doing well. Take care!