Archive for February, 2010

Tessa and I went to her four-month doctor appointment today. Everyone was in awe of her because, you know, she’s awesome. The doctor thought she looked perfect: great weight gain, tracking things, sitting (kinda). She’s in the 90^th percentile for height, 50^th for weight and 25^th for head circumference (I love that small noggin!). And then the doctor told me . . . she has an ear infection . . . in both ears?! WTH? I immediately felt like the worst mother ever. How did I not know she had an ear infection? She hasn’t been super fussy and I take her temperature periodically just for the heck of it. How did I miss it?

I don’t know if it made me feel better or worse that the infection is already on the mend because she’s had it for awhile. So no need for antibiotics but I am giving her drops for ear pain. The poor angel!

So now I need to work with her on a cry that means “my ears are red, puss is coming out of them and how the heck can’t you see it?!” because clearly I’m dense. At least she’s on the mend. And I’m thankful for that.

People are liars. When I went to my breastfeeding class last summer, the instructor said point blank “breastfed babies don’t get sick.” Well, my four-month old daughter – who has been exclusively breastfed – is sick. CASE – IN – POINT!

Not that I really believed the crazy loon but still. Point is, she lied. And I have a sick baby.

Fortunately, my daughter is not terribly sick. Just nasal congestion and a cough. But I hate to hear that cough. It’s the saddest cough in the world.

So being the concerned and needing-information-NOW mom that I am, I called our pediatrician and said something like “She’s coughing and it’s really sad and it disrupts her naps.” Thank goodness I have a very reassuring, patient, and kind pediatrician. They told me to clear out her nose, use saline solution, and put a humidifier in her bedroom. Done. Done. And done.

Thankfully, the little one is starting to feel better . . . but she is needing lots of extra cuddling. Yay! Done! That’s the fun part.

Anyway, thought I would share the products we used in case it is at all helpful for other mommies. Please share your mommy finds too.

Humidifier can be here.

Baby saline can be found here.

I went back to work a month ago and have been extremely fortunate to be working part-time: three ten-hour days. So I have four days a week with, you know, the coolest baby on the planet. However, that doesn’t make the three days when we’re separated as easy breezy as a Cover Girl.

One morning I was ready to leave for work and Tessa hadn’t woken up yet so I was facing the possibility of not seeing or nursing my baby in the morning. An internal conflict ensued: do I wake a sleeping baby or leave for an ENTIRE day without cuddling with her? A couple of tears later and I was in her room hugging, holding and nursing her. It had to happen.

I have also become protective of my time with her. Since I already have to spend 30+ hours a week away from my baby, I am hesitant to partake in activities that don’t include her. Why? Because she’s the most amazing person.  And I think it’s strange if other people aren’t equally obsessed with her.

Which brings me to daycare. I was told by other mommies that all I could hope for is feeling “satisfied” with any childcare that isn’t moi. And I guess that’s accurate. This past month I’ve tried to understand why I’m only satisfied. I mean her daycare is really nice, the teachers are wonderful, they absolutely adore Tessa, and they follow her feeding and napping schedule. What more could I want?

It’s kinda like the first day I picked up Tessa from daycare. I was so excited to see her. DYING to see her. I eagerly opened the door to the infant room and there she was. This little bundle of absolute love and joy playing in a bouncy seat. She was like a beacon of light and I could hear angels singing – all reminiscent of Indiana Jones’ quest for the Holy Grail with the cup glowing in amazing perfection. And I was shocked – SHOCKED – that all three teachers weren’t surrounding her admiring how she blinks, sighs, and smiles. I mean SHE’S A BEACON OF LIGHT!

And I guess because they aren’t in awe of her every movement is why I only feel satisfied. But that’s okay. Because I know the truth. My baby totally rocks.