Almost 7 weeks old and I can't believe it!

Over the last couple of days  Jose and I have been marveling (even more than ever) on how fast Charlie is growing. We're inbetween sizes so nothing fits well but we're wearing mostly 3-6 months and swimming in those outfits instead of wearing the 0-3 shirts that roll up on the belly. Charlie was getting into a nice somewhat-predictable sleep cycle with morning naps and sleeping in his cheater swaddle blanket at night but we're experiencing an interruption of that beautiful progress.

WARNING: ADULT CONTENT BELOW - TOPICS INCLUDE POOP

IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT SKIP DOWN TO THE PRETTY PICTURES IN THE NEXT POST, DON'T TELL ME ABOUT IT :-)

The Green Poop

Newborn poop seriously needs it's own blog because there's so many changes and so little info. The just born meconium, the black sticky tar substance changes to mustard (soo important to get Charlie out of the NICU) and now we're looking at green. He's been straining so hard that his little face turns red and screams. In trying to learn from my new mother paranoia I  let this go on for a few days before getting too concerned. Well now his sleep and eating is interrupted as he grunts and screams from discomfort.

The Doc

I called Dr. Chan this morning and she wasn't in - arrrrg.  I told the receptionist that I wanted a doctor to call me back - this after learning that in some practices the nurse that administers the shots to your sweet baby in the thigh (Charlie is up for 6 at his 2 mo. check up) is only paid $12/hr, are you freaking KIDDING ME? What if that person is having a bad day?

Anyhoo, Dr. Laura called back promptly and the bottom line message was monitor it for a couple more days....arrrg. But I didn't sleep!

Poop

Don't worry about newborn poop unless it's black, white or red (Hey, almost the colors of the flag!) or if it's "hard". I don't know how that's possible since Charlie's is mostly liquid. (sorry but you wanted to read about it! No one tells you these things except for yours truly).

Shart

Ahh the words that my boys teach me...It's the mix of a fart and sh*t (poop).  One trick several people didn't mind sharing is that if you think your baby may be constipated or gassy you could try to take his rectal temp (very scary at first and then not a big deal). Chan Sizzle says it's a good idea because they sometimes need help. So - I tried it a couple times with no real results...THEN this weekend I attempted this again and we had a poo fountain. That's right, like a boy pees but poo, everywhere off the changing table, all over the wall, diaper genie and carpet. Ask for the possible range of results when people try to give you advice.

Reflux

Dr. Laura thinks that the screaming in the middle of meals (which results in Charlie not being able to eat thus being hungary all the time thus constantly wanting to be on the boob) and the waking up and restless sleep may be due to reflux.  She wants us to monitor him for a few more days before treatment because it could just be a phase....arrrrg. But she's not trying to sleep at my house!

I swear I wanted to come through the phone and strangle someone - what do you mean there's nothing you can do to help my baby right now? He's soo tired, I'm soo tired! Please lady figure it out!  There is something that hurts a mom's heart in not being able to help her child at least be comfortable. There is some relief in baby able to stay home with him so that I can monitor him and do whatever I can...I know I'd otherwise be horribly distracted at work.

Sweet Charlie...we'll get through this together. (He's sleeping in the bjorn while the vacuum runs, I'm afraid to turn off the vacuum. I've got to get a tape recorder....)