Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A Mother's Instincts
So to be totally honest I am not really the maternal type. I'm not really a nurturer and I'm usually okay with that. I mean I always felt like some women had it and some didn't. While I was pregnant everyone kept telling me that I was going to have "Mommy Instincts" as soon as Eliana was born. I would nod my head knowing that wasn't going to happen. I thought to myself, "Erik is going to have more instincts than me." At any rate, I didn't really buy in to any of it until these past few weeks.
As stated in my previous entry, Eliana has eczema. The first doctor we went to said it was just acne. I knew this couldn't be true. I have had enough acne to be on a Proactive commercial! I know what acne looks like, and this was obviously a rash. It first started on her cheek and eventually spread all over her body. Some places were worse than others. The rash was obviously not getting better, so we got a second opinion. This doctor said she had eczema but just to change the soaps that we're using and to lotion her better. This solution didn't sit well with me. I mean, really that's it? So I did some research on my own and read more about infant eczema...and come to find out there is usually a source. Immediately I thought that maybe it was her formula. In more recent times, it is quite common for babies to have formula allergies. They now make hypoallergenic formula and soy based formulas. I did some more reading about symptoms of a milk allergy and Ellie didn't really have any except the rash. I mentioned this potential solution to her doctor and he shook his head and ignored me. I just kept feeling so unsettled. I prayed for God to give me peace if I should just let this go and trust the doctors instead of myself. I got no peace just more anxiety. Eliana started getting really fussy every day, her rash got worse, she wasn't eating well, and she was vomiting often. We were all miserable.
Finally about 2 days ago, I decided to trust my "Mommy Instincts" and buy her some hypoallergenic formula. Within the first few feedings we were already seeing a difference. Eliana was back to her happy self! The rash on her face immediately began to clear up, and the rash on her body was losing its redness. I was so happy, I just couldn't believe it! My instincts were right!
Now its been about 48 hours on the new formula and all things seem to be much better. Ellie is still a happy camper, and her rash is going away. There is still quite a bit on her chest, but its looking better. I'm still uncertain that the decision I made was right. I mean its kind of strange being right and a doctor being wrong.
Moral of the story...I do have "Mommy Instincts!" and they can be trusted.
As stated in my previous entry, Eliana has eczema. The first doctor we went to said it was just acne. I knew this couldn't be true. I have had enough acne to be on a Proactive commercial! I know what acne looks like, and this was obviously a rash. It first started on her cheek and eventually spread all over her body. Some places were worse than others. The rash was obviously not getting better, so we got a second opinion. This doctor said she had eczema but just to change the soaps that we're using and to lotion her better. This solution didn't sit well with me. I mean, really that's it? So I did some research on my own and read more about infant eczema...and come to find out there is usually a source. Immediately I thought that maybe it was her formula. In more recent times, it is quite common for babies to have formula allergies. They now make hypoallergenic formula and soy based formulas. I did some more reading about symptoms of a milk allergy and Ellie didn't really have any except the rash. I mentioned this potential solution to her doctor and he shook his head and ignored me. I just kept feeling so unsettled. I prayed for God to give me peace if I should just let this go and trust the doctors instead of myself. I got no peace just more anxiety. Eliana started getting really fussy every day, her rash got worse, she wasn't eating well, and she was vomiting often. We were all miserable.
Finally about 2 days ago, I decided to trust my "Mommy Instincts" and buy her some hypoallergenic formula. Within the first few feedings we were already seeing a difference. Eliana was back to her happy self! The rash on her face immediately began to clear up, and the rash on her body was losing its redness. I was so happy, I just couldn't believe it! My instincts were right!
Now its been about 48 hours on the new formula and all things seem to be much better. Ellie is still a happy camper, and her rash is going away. There is still quite a bit on her chest, but its looking better. I'm still uncertain that the decision I made was right. I mean its kind of strange being right and a doctor being wrong.
Moral of the story...I do have "Mommy Instincts!" and they can be trusted.
Friday, August 27, 2010
And now another bath time story...
This morning while I was changing Ellie's diaper she of course peed all over the new one, and herself, and the changing table. I'm not quite sure how she did this, but I needed to give her a bath anyway. Recently bath time hasn't been bad at all. I can tell she doesn't enjoy them, but she has stopped crying during the bath. So, I was quite confident we would have an uneventful bath time...of course I was wrong.
After I got the water to a good tempature I went to bring her in. As soon as we got into the bathroom, Eliana decided to pee again. She peed all over my shirt, shorts, bare feet, and the bathroom floor. I couldn't help but laugh to keep from crying. It was only 7:30 in the morning and I was already soaked with urine. Eliana sure does know how to keep me on my toes.
After I got the water to a good tempature I went to bring her in. As soon as we got into the bathroom, Eliana decided to pee again. She peed all over my shirt, shorts, bare feet, and the bathroom floor. I couldn't help but laugh to keep from crying. It was only 7:30 in the morning and I was already soaked with urine. Eliana sure does know how to keep me on my toes.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Worry Wart
I never understood why my parents were always concerned about me. I mean even as an adult when I visit their house, they like me to call when I get home...just to be sure I was murdered on the way home. I usually get annoyed and roll my eyes. I mean I am an adult and they are always worried about what I'm doing. I couldn't stand that...until Eliana.
Now having Eliana, I worry constantly. I mean I sometimes even cry if she is crying. I know I know...I'm going to have to get over that. I know that I can't protect her from everything but I really really want to.
This week Eliana broke out in a rash. She was rubbing her face on everything to soothe her itchy skin. It began on her face and then spread quickly to the rest of her body. I was a mess. I mean I cried multiple times, mostly because I felt so helpless. I called her pediatrician and they told me to come in. Before Ellie and I went to the doctor, Erik said he thought it looked like eczema. I immediately felt worse. Partly because I knew that he was right (before Ellie was born I read that she may have eczema because Erik has it, and because I have asthma and hay fever), and partly because I knew how awful eczema could be. I didn't want her to suffer with this for the rest of her life. I was praying the whole way to doctor's office that it wasn't eczema...of course it was. So now Ellie is on a different skincare regimen than before. Hopefully things will get better.
I'm still worried about her, because I love her so much. She is trusting me to take care of her, she is depending on me,and it just hurts when things out of my control happen to her. However, I know I need to trust in God. I know that when things seem out of control and crazy, He is in control. I just need to have faith. I'm going to need a lot of prayer to stop me from being a worry wart.
Now having Eliana, I worry constantly. I mean I sometimes even cry if she is crying. I know I know...I'm going to have to get over that. I know that I can't protect her from everything but I really really want to.
This week Eliana broke out in a rash. She was rubbing her face on everything to soothe her itchy skin. It began on her face and then spread quickly to the rest of her body. I was a mess. I mean I cried multiple times, mostly because I felt so helpless. I called her pediatrician and they told me to come in. Before Ellie and I went to the doctor, Erik said he thought it looked like eczema. I immediately felt worse. Partly because I knew that he was right (before Ellie was born I read that she may have eczema because Erik has it, and because I have asthma and hay fever), and partly because I knew how awful eczema could be. I didn't want her to suffer with this for the rest of her life. I was praying the whole way to doctor's office that it wasn't eczema...of course it was. So now Ellie is on a different skincare regimen than before. Hopefully things will get better.
I'm still worried about her, because I love her so much. She is trusting me to take care of her, she is depending on me,and it just hurts when things out of my control happen to her. However, I know I need to trust in God. I know that when things seem out of control and crazy, He is in control. I just need to have faith. I'm going to need a lot of prayer to stop me from being a worry wart.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Bodily Fluids
I have never in my life had so much experience with someone else's bodily fluids. I mean I was aware that there would be diaper changes which leads to lots of poop, and I knew there was going to be tons of spit up and drool...however I didn't realize the extent of the issue, and I didn't realize it was going to end up all over me.
Little Ellie spits up more than I could ever imagine. I mean everything in our apartment is covered or has been covered in baby vomit. Even as I am writing this (during a 2 am feeding) she has spit up all over her burp cloth and me... and then just smiled. I can never get too annoyed when she smiles. A few weeks ago Erik and I had just finished a feeding and decided to put her in her swing. Eliana loves to swing! It vibrates, swings, and plays music; what's not to love? Anyway, there we were a happy family,Eliana swinging and Erik and I (feeling pretty proud of how quiet she was being) watching t.v, when all of a sudden vomit! I am not going to candy-coat it and call it spit up because she projectile vomited...twice! She of course aimed for the couch leg...yum. We were so shocked, we just sat there for a while staring at Senorita Pukes-A-Lot.
I know no one wants to hear about Eliana's poop and pee so I'll keep it brief. There's a lot of it. And somehow she gets it all over me. I cannot begin to explain the amount of outfits she has pooped through and peed through. Eliana's first bath was because of her bodily fluids. It was only a few days after she was born and Erik and I had just put Eliana down for bed when we smelled poop. It was Erik's turn to change her diaper. All of sudden I hear, " Oh man!" I got up, shuffled over to the changing table and was taken aback by all the poop! It was everywhere: through her jammies, up her back, through the diaper, in the bassinet, and on her leg. Quickly we decided it was time for her first bath. Excitedly, Erik helped me pick a good temperature and get her bath things together. We didn't want to miss this momentous occasion, so Erik brought along the video camera. Before we could begin recording, Ellie immediately started screaming bloody murder! We both started to panick and had to move fast. Eliana thought this would be a good time to pee in the bath, so I had to pour out the water and get new pee-less water. After we finished this painful bath, she spit up all over Erik while he was trying to dry her. When we finally got her dressed and back in bed, all three of us were traumatized by the experience. We avoided giving her another bath for few days after that.
Needless to say, through all the poop and puke, she is still an awesome kid. And I am storing up these stories to embarrass her with in the future.
Little Ellie spits up more than I could ever imagine. I mean everything in our apartment is covered or has been covered in baby vomit. Even as I am writing this (during a 2 am feeding) she has spit up all over her burp cloth and me... and then just smiled. I can never get too annoyed when she smiles. A few weeks ago Erik and I had just finished a feeding and decided to put her in her swing. Eliana loves to swing! It vibrates, swings, and plays music; what's not to love? Anyway, there we were a happy family,Eliana swinging and Erik and I (feeling pretty proud of how quiet she was being) watching t.v, when all of a sudden vomit! I am not going to candy-coat it and call it spit up because she projectile vomited...twice! She of course aimed for the couch leg...yum. We were so shocked, we just sat there for a while staring at Senorita Pukes-A-Lot.
I know no one wants to hear about Eliana's poop and pee so I'll keep it brief. There's a lot of it. And somehow she gets it all over me. I cannot begin to explain the amount of outfits she has pooped through and peed through. Eliana's first bath was because of her bodily fluids. It was only a few days after she was born and Erik and I had just put Eliana down for bed when we smelled poop. It was Erik's turn to change her diaper. All of sudden I hear, " Oh man!" I got up, shuffled over to the changing table and was taken aback by all the poop! It was everywhere: through her jammies, up her back, through the diaper, in the bassinet, and on her leg. Quickly we decided it was time for her first bath. Excitedly, Erik helped me pick a good temperature and get her bath things together. We didn't want to miss this momentous occasion, so Erik brought along the video camera. Before we could begin recording, Ellie immediately started screaming bloody murder! We both started to panick and had to move fast. Eliana thought this would be a good time to pee in the bath, so I had to pour out the water and get new pee-less water. After we finished this painful bath, she spit up all over Erik while he was trying to dry her. When we finally got her dressed and back in bed, all three of us were traumatized by the experience. We avoided giving her another bath for few days after that.
Needless to say, through all the poop and puke, she is still an awesome kid. And I am storing up these stories to embarrass her with in the future.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A Month Ago Today...
I can't believe that it has already been a month! Not to sound cliche but it feels like yesterday that I was in the worst pain of my life, birthing my beautiful daughter. A month ago today, my life was about to change forever. At the time, I could barely imagine my life with a child. I couldn't imagine my life being any different. And now I am sitting here holding my daughter (yes I am now the queen of multi-tasking) and I can't imagine my life without her. She fits so well with our family. It feels so natural already to have her here. Yes, there has been some adjusting to do, but we're doing it. Its strange how beautifully everything has come together. I am so in love with this little girl. She is amazing and it is so fun to watch her grow and learn already. Motherhood is difficult but the best thing I have ever been apart of. I am so thankful for this gift...Eliana.
Monday, August 9, 2010
A brief summary
Erik and I haven't had Internet for 2 weeks, so I have been storing up stories to write about. Instead of writing individual entries, I thought I would write a few quick short stories in one entry.
1) Had to breastfeed in the grocery store parking lot...not fun
2)Eliana got dedicated to the Lord yesterday! It was awesome and we took a ton of pics.
3) Erik's parent came to visit which was really nice to have some extra help
4) I have officially lost 40lbs in 4 weeks!
5) I had to stop breastfeeding...I wasn't making enough milk, and then my milk starting drying up. So our baby is a formula baby now.
6)Erik and I got a date night this weekend. It was amazing and so nice to reconnect with my husband. I love love love him!
7) I feel so much joy its crazy. God is truly amazing.
8) We are almost done unpacking, and now we can move on to decorating
9) I have been asked to lead a mom's small group! I'm really excited about it, even though I know nothing about being a mom
10) Eliana spit up on my mouth when I kissed her. I think that was her way of saying she didn't want a kiss...super gross
11) Ellie is a month old this week! Time is flying by and we are enjoying every second of it
12) Eliana smiled at me and here is a pic of it!
1) Had to breastfeed in the grocery store parking lot...not fun
2)Eliana got dedicated to the Lord yesterday! It was awesome and we took a ton of pics.
3) Erik's parent came to visit which was really nice to have some extra help
4) I have officially lost 40lbs in 4 weeks!
5) I had to stop breastfeeding...I wasn't making enough milk, and then my milk starting drying up. So our baby is a formula baby now.
6)Erik and I got a date night this weekend. It was amazing and so nice to reconnect with my husband. I love love love him!
7) I feel so much joy its crazy. God is truly amazing.
8) We are almost done unpacking, and now we can move on to decorating
9) I have been asked to lead a mom's small group! I'm really excited about it, even though I know nothing about being a mom
10) Eliana spit up on my mouth when I kissed her. I think that was her way of saying she didn't want a kiss...super gross
11) Ellie is a month old this week! Time is flying by and we are enjoying every second of it
12) Eliana smiled at me and here is a pic of it!
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