6 + weeks

hanging out in the vibrating papasan in just a diaper trying to get rid of her heat rash
I love the chubby face here!
We were at a friend's house and Coranelle was enjoying the bouncy chair of her friend who is just two weeks older than she is. We loved how she matched the chair!


It's been a while since I wrote, so I need to catch up on how things have been for the last week and a half. We have been pretty busy- Coranelle is out and about quite a bit for a baby who is only 6 weeks old! We've been walking with a friend I made from prenatal yoga. Ryan, Coranelle and I went over to their house to have dinner with her, her husband and her daughter Adalaide. It is fun to meet some other young parents who know what it's like to have a baby start crying right as you're sitting down to dinner. They are a fun couple and we are planning to have them over to our house next weekend. I have also been going to a breast-feeding group with my friend Krista. It is cool because you get to weigh your baby on the hospital scales every week and see how they are gaining. Plus, it is a chance to talk to other moms and the lactation consultant. Coranelle is consistently gaining an ounce a day. On friday, Coranelle weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces. She's doing great! After our group on Tuesday, I went to lunch with some of the other moms and babies. It was the first time I took Coranelle to a restaurant. She feel asleep on the way over there, so she did great for a while. When she got hungry, she had a bit of a melt down and so we went home.
Wednesday, I went to a New Mom's luncheon at Avista. There were about 12 other moms there that had delivered in May. Their babies were all there. Their babies were all calm and content and quiet. None of the babies were crying, except mine. Coranelle was upset from the moment that we got there. I tried walking her, bouncing her, getting her to take the pacifier, etc. But, she was just upset. So, one of the lactation consultants offered to take her so that I could enjoy my lunch. Coranelle proceeded to cry. Then she got passed off to another lacation consultant and later, to another nurse. They all tried, with no success, to soothe her. Meanwhile, I could not actually enjoy my lunch or listen to the other moms when I was listening to my baby cry. So, 45 minutes pass and I go to one of the lacation consultants to reclaim my baby. The consultant was very concerned about how much Coranelle was crying and asked me if I had taken her to her pediatrician yet. I then panicked- feeling like a horrible mom to have not done something sooner. I told her that people just kept telling me that babies cry, and that was normal. The lady proceeded to tell me that Coranelle's crying was NOT normal and it seemed as if she was in pain. Well, then I lost it. I felt terrible that my daughter has been in pain and I have mistaken it for fussiness. So, I broke down and started sobbing to this stranger, telling her how much it hurts me when she cries. She told me to see the doctor because she thought Coranelle has reflux. So, I took Coranelle back into the luncheon with a tear streaked face and got to face all of the moms who were giving me pitied smiles. I felt defensive- thinking that there was nothing wrong with my child- but at the same time wondering why all of the rest of the babies were so placid and calm. So, what was to be an encouraging luncheon turned out to be something that made me a super emotional wreck. I called my pediatrician on the way home and proceeded to do a bunch of research on reflux. Coranelle is not vomiting or spitting up a lot, but she does have lots of hiccups and cries and is fussy during and after feedings. It may be that there is a sphincter muscle in her esophagus that is not fully developed and it is allowing acid to burn her throat. I cried 4 or 5 times Thursday when I told Ryan, Amanda and my mom the situation.
I have truly realized what it feels like to have such a deep connection with your child. When your child hurts, it breaks your heart. It is an undescribable feeling that I never would have imagined before being a mom. And, my mom was crying on the phone while she listened to me cry because I was upset that my baby was hurting. 3 generations of tears and an indescribable bond.
We took Coranelle to the doctor yesterday. After asking lots of questions and watching her and listening to her and checking her out, our pediatrician told us that Coranelle has a mild case of Colic and is border line reflux. He said she reminded him a lot of his own son, crying so much and needing so much attention. He said the first three months of his son's life were really rough on them. His wife was dead set against giving him any medicine, but our doctor said he would have tried something. So, we decided (hesitantly) to try some low dose zantax for week to see if it makes her any happier. I hate to put my 6 week old on drugs, but on the other hand, if it makes her be in less pain, it's worth a try. I am really hoping that she can grow out of the reflux and be a little more content. The doctor was surprised when I told him that one day she cried for 9 hours- unless she was feeding. That is where the mild colic diagnosis came from.
Despite the challenges that we are facing with all of the tears, we love our baby more and more each day. The grandmas are determined that she is perfect and that there is nothing wrong with her. They are protective of her in such a loving and unique way. It is fun to see our moms interact with her because it gives us a glimpse of how they took care of us- 24 years ago. I couldn't do this without their support right now!
I think she will get happier as she gets older and bigger, but it is hard to see her cry so much. We are taking her to a wedding tonight- and I am worried about how she will do. She may end up in the baby bjorn all evening with me bouncing her around. Hopefully she doesn't disrupt the ceremony too much!