I wanted to write this post to give an update about our little family. Let me say thank you, first, for the calls, texts, messages, and sweet prayers for answers and of encouragement. The last few weeks, for me, have been physically and emotionally draining. I'm not saying that for any sympathy. It's just a fact, so please take it as just that. It is what it is. However, over the past few weeks, I have been overwhelmed with the reminder of what a blessing our family and friends are.
I was, by no means, naive enough to think that baby #2 would be a walk in the park. We'd done this before though, so sleepless nights, poop, and screams were all expected and prepared for. Again, we'd done this before...right? Ha! While everyone has struggles with the first, I have come to believe that you have struggles with them all. Just different struggles.
Rowland and I slept on the couch for 2 1/2 weeks after coming home. He cried A LOT. But that's normal right? Keep reading---
I was exhausted. I missed my bed drastically. I missed sleep. And whoever says "Sleep when they sleep," it didn't work with #2 because, ahem, I have a #1, duh! I cried, like a lot. I missed playing with Carter. I missed my husband. I spent my days feeding, caring for both children, and if I was lucky, I got a shower. By the time our 2nd week checkup came around, projectile vomit was a daily thing. At two weeks, Rowland had gained a pound and a half. Apparently that was a lot to my pediatrician and he was nursing every hour and a half. Again, too often for her. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to calm my screaming and vomiting child. She figured he had some reflux, prescribed Zantac and sent us on our way with strict instructions to slow up on the nursing.
Over the next few weeks, and more weight gain, our medicine was changed to Prilosec. I felt ridiculous pumping medicines in my child at one month old. At one point, he was getting gas drops, a probiotic, Prilosec, Zantac, gripe water, thrust medication and vitamin d drops. I was done. No more. The vomiting continued, the screaming never stopped. I continued the Prilosec and vitamin and stopped everything else. After 3 days of projectile vomit after EVERY SINGLE feeding, I called the pediatrician again and begged them to do something. When I say projectile, I mean forceful, across the room, everyone has to change and the carpet had to be cleaned. I knew babies cried, but he was NEVER happy, was always arching and screaming, and I didn't feel like I could enjoy him. So we were referred to a GI specialist.
We have since had an ultrasound (that took an hour longer than it should have because of a huge gas ball), and an upper GI. Both came back normal, but we were informed that Rowland has severe reflux. "He refluxes without any triggers or effort and its a significant amount" (Duh, I thought to myself) That combined with lots of gas and only pooping once a week has made for an unhappy baby. We have since tried some essential oils and figured out the medicine dosage and we have actually slept for the last 4 nights (4hour stretches) and have had little to no projectile vomit :) Exciting right?
We go back to see the GI doctor next week but for now, we are starting to enjoy our little one and I think he's beginning to enjoy us a little too :)
We are SO BLESSED with families who are willing to watch Carter, bring dinner, or even just go to doctors visits with me. Special thanks to our sweet friends who have prayed and encouraged me over the last few weeks. I want to name a few by name because I need you to know that just listening and talking has made a HUGE difference: Cecilia Hatley, Kathy Blackwell, Wynne Callis You all have been so sweet and encouraging!
We also have crazy friends who come to help do random house projects AND bring dinner: Bean and Reece family, you are crazy but we are so thankful for you all!!
So I wrote this to inform all of our sweet friends and family of our recent "adventures" and of the results and progress we've made. I am so blessed with two sweet boys and would never, for one second, change anything. God uses situations to teach me every day and I am so grateful to serve a God who cares for me and my family. I realize that many people have worse situations, but I also realize that it's ok to admit when things are a little difficult. No one is super mom. And I think, at least in the "mom blog" world, we put on a face of "everything is great." Some people struggle and maybe this little story will encourage someone along the way :)
