Stellar ( said sarcastically) After figuring out our lil dilemma ... It only took me a month and brainstorming with a few people.
MT has been tortured with receiving his Molars and then Eye teeth 2 weeks apart .... So for a month, We were in some pretty Deep sleep deprivation, pain, misery, Etc You name it. He is 15 months old and has cut all but 2 more eye teeth coming very soon and his 2 yr molars .... This is Not fun for anyone involved. Trust me ... There were times, I wasn't sure we were going to survive. Nothing seemed to help, I tried all the (legal) tricks in the books, websites, parents But man o man ..... Screaming and Gnashing and writhing in pain was the only thing that was constant.
It got to the point, I honestly decided that there HAD to be something else wrong. Because Everyone I knew was telling me, that This just could not be related to teething ...... I started to doubt myself. When I start to doubt myself, I unravel .... and By unravel, I mean Like seriously become that pile of mush with no backbone or ability to think on my own .. Zero confidence and then I start doubting everything, and that is just more cause for a tailspin ..... then I just hit rock bottom ....
This weekend - Was my rock bottom. I was angry, defensive, tired, whiny, crying, ..Basically a Hot Mess. The stress/frustration of it all just peaked ....
MT had gone for about a month with refusing to nap. As in "i need a nap but am just going to cry and pitch a fit about it and I will not nap - but thanks". So, MT and I were doing like 14hr awake hour days together. And We were just striving off each others frustrations.... All of this while teething .. and tantrums and gnashing. And hearing how this just was not teeth, this had to be something else. Or other theories were that I do not stay home enough with him, I should cancel Life and sit at home and just wait for him to show signs of sleepy and then run and put him to bed, If he ever does decide he will sleep now...... , and My nerves were completely fried. He was refusing to eat as well. I did try the Stay at home and do nothing, It didn't help.
Since Sunday - It seems that I have somewhat solved our dilemma - He WAS hungry but refusing to eat because it was hurting his mouth/teeth. I was trying to offer soft things to help soothe the pain ..... But on that occasion, He wanted Hard/chewy things ..... or vice versa. So I never knew what or how meals were going to be. I had read so many times that you offer what you are offering, and if they refuse, You do not keep offering .. and I was torn between what was right/wrong. He is not old enough to tell me what he wants to eat, so he would just get frustrated and scream/tantrum .... But I have stopped worrying about all the rules. I just offer things until he was willing to eat and He now is back to napping. He WAS HUNGRY ...... I was starving my child ...... After the initial shock and guilt of it all, things seem to be back to normalish - and he is finishing cutting 2 more eye teeth. They are very close in breaking the surface. And for that, I am very glad to know that there may be a teething reprieve.
I need to make his 15 month appointment. In between all of this - One morning he woke up and nothing fit. He is in 2T clothes now for length. I am trying to slowly but surely start all over again with his wardrobe. That is the downfall of having a boy - People Do not buy you "cute" outfits throughout his life span like see with those having a girl.
If you are having a boy - or know someone having a boy - I think a great Shower Idea is to have People buy clothes in different sizes and seasonal appropriate. Last names starting w: A- D by 3-6 months (winter), E-H 6-12 month (summer), etc.
I am at 30 weeks according to my specialist and I am going to appointments every 2 weeks now. On the home stretch! Last Dr's appointment, My ob actually told me that I am doing a fantastic job with controlling my sugars with all these other stuff that is going on, She gave me a week off of the monitor. And told me to just check my fasting level and 3 or 4 more times during the week and if the numbers change or creep up, Call her. I was very pleased. She said that she thinks, it was adding more unnecessary stress to my days that need mot be there for now.
Did I mention how wonderful, Barb, Jen and Maresi are - We met at the Aquarium on Friday and they had a lil surprise baby sprinkle for Armadillo (baby boy#2). They are just the sweetest things! Really - I was so touched by that gesture. Jen was so crafty and creative with her gifts. I need to post pictures from this so you can see the wonderful cute gifts I got. (She made a onesie with an embroidered armadillo on it .... AND a Mini Van) - We had such a blast! and the Babies did too ...
I haven't caught up on my blogs but I will .... Tell me - How are you? Is there anything that I have not shared that you want to know about?
20 comments:
I am sorry things have been so difficult and I hope the upswing continues. And although your idea of clothes for an extended period of time is a great one, I have to sya it's hard to judge the right season for the right size because my nine-month-old is now starting to fit in 24-month sizes!
Well, I think to say you were starving him is a little harsh, but I get what you mean... It's hard to know what to do, even with the 2nd one. I can't believe how much we'd forgotten about Henry's babyhood!
I like that shower idea - don't forget to let me know when we can go to SB's together to shop!
Oh sweetie, that's not a fail! That's just loving your kiddo through life. You're right - he can't tell you what he wants or needs, and you can't read his mind. It's really just trial and error until you find something that works. I'm SO HOPING for you that the teeth are almost done. You've been dealing with it for far too long!
I will have to disagree with your clothing idea (HA!). :) We DID get clothes, lots and lots of them. Some weren't cute (to be honest) and went to the Goodwill pile (mostly those were hand-me-downs) but the ones I did keep that seemed like they'd be the right season, totally aren't. He's 6 months old and in 12 month stuff. So when he was 3 weeks old and I bought him an 18 month Easter outfit thinking it'd be PLENTY big, I'm not realizing he'll be in 18 month stuff by Christmas at the latest. I'm totally content with my big boy, but it's just impossible with him to plan ahead what will fit and when. All this cutie summer stuff just went on clearance and I didn't buy much because I wasn't sure if he'd be in 24 month/2T next summer, or if he'd need a 3T already. At least in FL you have the advantage of milder winters so you can stretch summer clothes farther into fall. We went from 80 degrees yesterday to 55 today so it's just one extreme or the other. Maybe we should send each other our hand-me-downs?! :)
I'm really sorry things have been so rough but am glad to hear they're getting better. It's so incredibly hard at this age, when they can't tell you what they need with words but can express that they need *something* through screaming and tantrums. And I don't think any of us really know whether/when to give in. I know I don't. (Especially when it comes to food right now, which has also been a problem for us. Think it's okay for a child to only eat fruit and cheerios?)
I hope things keep looking up and that those teeth make their way through soon so you can all get a break!
Teething plain ass sucks. I am so, so sorry you're dealing with this. Hopefully, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for you with these last couple of teeth.(My nephew got all his teeth really early/at once and my BIL/SIL had a horrible time - sounds VERY similar to what you've gone through with MT.)
The food thing - I've found - is the most challenging part in raising my girls. I can't stand it. Always a big surprise to see if they're going to eat, how much, etc. Bottles were way easier. :-)
Can't believe you are 30 weeks!!! Home stretch!
Even though it's scary and hard to believe it'll ever happen. When I say the word "pregnant" I get all those doubt feelings you get...and I just melt. hide behind the word as if it's some kind of monster...afraid it'll never be...but here I am hoping. Reading about the teething...crying...sleep deprivation...and Dr. visits...Surprisingly I AM still hoping!
Stupid teeth. I'm sorry this sucks so much.
Want to go shopping? I'll come!
I have also heard the advice to offer what you're offering and if they don't eat it, that's it. But I don't do that right now, either. My little guy eats a LOT of different, healthy things, but he isn't yet able to tell me what he wants/needs on any given day. I offer a variety of things with each meal, and see what will take. It's tough, especially with the teething. But I think you're doing the right thing, it's all trial and error anyway.
Hang in there! You're almost done with the baby teeth. Promise. :)
I'm sorry about the crap. :( I can see you doubting yourself like that, and if I were there I'd become a little mothering you puddle right next to you. haha. I just can't handle it! I've felt like that so many times in my life that I have extreme over-empathy for it and want to fix it all up.
Oh my goodness. Tell those teeth to stop it right now.. Yes don't I wish. I feel your pain - really I do. I had that melt down moment a few weeks back. Genevieve was reallllly a bear -- her upper teeth were trying to pop in. It was so bad I called the husband and told him he MUST come home now. I was hitting the very bottom.
I hope all is getting better now.
I am sorry you were feeling guilty about it too.
Know we are all here in blogger world for you.
I saw the photos of little armadillo, and the mini van - it was so cute.
You can just nod and say "Told you they would suck" when the Oman gets to this stage and I am pulling my hair out.
So sorry its been capital S, Stressful! Hope all settles SOON!
Big, HUGE ((HUGS))!
It's so hard before they're verbal.
You are doing a GREAT job, Momma...don't believe anything else.
I'm sorry it has been sucking so much. I must admit I'm weak so I keep offering T different things until he eats something.
Don't feel guilty...it's so hard to determine what they want/need at that age. I struggle with Julian all the time.
I hear you on the teething and eating issues. It seems to cause a great deal of stress to everyone in the house.
I'm glad you feel like you got to the bottom of the situation. I hope things only get better from here. Mama needs a little bit of a break before Armadillo arrives, right? :)
Don't beat yourself up about it... sometimes it takes awhile to figure out what they need. We have been dealing with the molars too. And have had the runny nose, icky diapers, etc. Oh and low grade fevers..:( But, hopefully these pesky teeth will pop through for us all and we will be good to go soon!
30 weeks.......wow!
I get ya on the teething thing . . . we are right here with you. Andy's molars came up about 3 weeks ago, and this week, here are his eye teeth too! Ick!
I'm glad you are doing well, and able to ease up on the blood testing a bit.
Hopefully your naps will continue to come . . .
So not a Fail. You figured it out. That is a huge pass!
You are an absolutely amazing mother! Don't let anyone (including yourself) tell you any differently!
I'd say going with your gut seems to always work best for you. You know your baby better than anyone else...so if you think it's only teething, don't let others try to convince you it's not. And you weren't starving him.
As far as giving them what they want as a meal, it will definitely be3 much better when they can tell us (we all hope). I have the same issues with the boys wanting to feed themselves at times, wanting jarred food at others, and sometimes only wanting a bottle. It's hard to get it right, but we're all still learning.
I really hope these teeth give you a break. I also hope the Armadillo waits at least until 6 months before even thinking about a tooth!!
(((hugs)))
I hear you my friend. Lyla use to eat so well, now she is not eating, not sleeping... and teething for forever!!!!! some days I have no idea waht to do with her and I am only with part time since I work. You are a great mom, you do so many fun things with him. I hope it is just a phase and he can start sleeping and eating better. HUGS
Post a Comment