When it Rains it Pours

So for the past 4 weeks we have been dealing with a reflux issue. In babies the lower esophageal sphincter, (a ring of muscle that opens to allow food into the stomach and closes to keep it there) isn't quite developed. Much like their neck muscles aren't developed enough to hold up their head. So when Brady eats something, then strains, coughs or hiccups, his stomach contents are refluxed back into his esophagus causing actual vomiting and pain. The pain would cause him to cry, then reflux, and cry more. Or he would be gassy, straining to toot and he would reflux. I'm sure you can image, this wasn't fun for him, or for us. The most difficult part,was knowing that he was in pain and not being able to fix it.

In an effort to narrow his symptoms down to a specific cause, I had to omit diary from my diet to rule out a sensitivity to cow protein. You don't realize how many foods you eat on a daily basis contain some form of milk until you can't have it! Ofter a week and half with no change in his symptoms our pediatrician sent us to Riley to see a pediatric GI to confirm what we believed he had all along. So on Friday we spent the day at Riley. In the morning we were in x-ray. Brady had to fast for 2 hours, so that he could drink a barium bottle during the x-ray. We were able to watch as the liquid flowed down his esophagus, spilled into his stomach, then saw some of the liquid come back up. In the afternoon we met with the doctor who said, "yep, it's reflux" And we left with a prescription for Zantac. We won't see noticeably change for about a week, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

During this week Brady also contracted conjunctivitis (a.k.a. pink eye). Most likely from going to the grocery store, one of us touching the car, then touching him.

We also dealt with a pretty bad case of diaper rash, due to changing the diapers we were using. We were using cream, but it didn't seem to be helping. But after we switched back to Pampers Swaddlers, we noticed a difference in about 8 hours.

Now that we hopefully have a handle on the reflux issue, we will see more of this Brady

And less of this Brady, who has been nicknamed Mr. Cranky Pants

Routine?

The last couple of weeks have really flown by as we have been trying to figure out Brady's routines. We have had some problems with Brady crying for no real apparent reason, along with what appears to be some strong stomach pain. Because of this we have been trying...... I say we, but I mean Shawnna.... to cut out all foods that could potentially cause gas, including dairy. Evidently, it is a relatively common occurance for babies to show some intolerance to milk proteins at least at an early age.

This has severly limited our dinner options since our typical diets include quite a bit of onion, garlic, dairy and spicy foods. So our typical evening goes... what do you want for dinner.... I don't know, what do you want for dinner... we could have ____, oh, no we can't. Also, it is amazing how often those ingredients show up in pre-made things. We found out the hard way that just because jarred spaghetti sauce says Tomato & Basil, does not mean that it doesn't have onion and garlic.

One of the "great" routines that we have is that Brady enjoys being up from about 9PM to midnight. We have thought a couple of times that we had gotten him down to sleep around 9, just to have him wake up as we get ready to go to bed. But the good news is that after finally getting him down, he usually eats at 4AM and then doesn't get up until 8 or 9AM. While this works for Shawnna pretty well, it makes getting up at 5AM for work a little tiring.

Brady Stats

Brady had his second appointment this morning. The first appointment was a quick weight check last week.

Birth
Weight: 7lb 11oz
Length: 19.5 inches
Head: 13.5 inches

3 Weeks
Weight: 9lb 1oz 50th percentile
Length: 21 inches 75th percentile
Head:14.5 inches 50th percentile
The check up went well. Brady is healthy and growing.

As planned, Brady has his first bath last night. It was very slippery and we need to work on technique, but overall a success.
He started out asleep.

He started crying, but I can't show you that picture ; )
But then he seemed to enjoy it

Brady has a Belly Button

Bradys umbilical cord fell off last night. His first official bath is on the agenda for this evening. Hopefully I'll be able to get some picture of him that do not involve crying.

Settling In

After two and a half weeks we are starting to settle into our routines.... at least a little bit. We are getting into some eating and sleeping pattern and Brady has so far been a great eater. He seems to want to be awake at random times (ie 2AM) but sleeps for at least 3 hrs between feedings at night.

It has been nice that I have been able to be home for the last week since my work takes off between Christmas and New Years. It has also been nice that because it is around the holiday's, Brady has been able to have many visitors. Many people have travelled to come see him, including friends, some aunts and uncles, grandparents and great grandma.

Grandma and Grandpa Householder

Great Grandma Pell

We haven't ventured out of the house much, but we have made a couple of successful trips to the grocery store and one dinner out. So far, he hasn't even woken up while we have been out, but he seems to enjoy the car seat and riding in the car. Unfortunately, I have to head back to work this week, so Shawnna will get to enjoy Brady by herself all day.