jonah loves to talk

we just don't always understand it! :)

Jonah update

Well...last Tuesday we had our appointment with the ped GI doctor.
first off, Jonah weighs 14lbs 8oz (62nd percentile), is 23.5 inches long (11th percentile), & his mellon is in the 70th percentile!

The doctor was super nice, & did validate what we have been going through. That was really nice because every time I turn around people are discounting his symptoms & saying he will just outgrow it. As a first time mom having people always telling you are wrong & basically they know what is right for your kid more than you do is a bit frustrating. Not only has it created a lot of internal conflict, but also some between Dean & I. So, long story short it was nice to talk to someone who isn't thinking it is something we are or aren't doing.

Our regular pediatrician was on the right track with the prilosec, but the dose was far too small. The gi guy tripled the dose and also told us that if over time (as Jonah is gaining weight) it seems to not work as well that he will up the dose over the phone. He also said that we should stay on the hypoallergenic formula as things have gotten better on it. He also does not want us to start any rice cereal till we see him again at 6 months old.

He did disagree with our pediatrician on several things, but the main thing was how we have been feeding him. Dr. H (the pediatrician) told us to feed Jonah small frequent meals so his system could move the food through easier. He went as far as suggesting 2 ounces every hour and a half to two hours. That just wasn't practical, so we were doing 4 ounces every 3 hours. (he was gaining weight on this so I was fine with it.) Most of the time that seemed ok, but there were times he would still be hungry afterwards. I attributed this to his reflux being a 'comfort eater...where he knows it felt good going down at whatever the cost later (which I still think played a major role) but, sometimes he could have taken another ounce or so. But, being a little desperate for Jonah to not be in pain I stuck to the 4 ounces only. The GI guy said that a breastfed baby never has an ounce limit & he wants to mimic breastfeeding with bottle feeding. So even though this formula is double the cost, we are feeding 'ad-lib'. The most he has done is six oz, and he usually spits up more with the larger feeds, but he seems more satisified.

After these changes that we have made, he is a different baby!!! It actually worked! I attribute the biggest change to the appropriate dose of prilosec. I mean really...I wouldn't expect if I took 1/2 a tylenol for a bad headache that I would feel better would I???

So life is great now, Jonah is so happy...I just feel so bad for him that he had to be in pain for 2 months before we got it taken care of. He still crys, but usually it is because we haven't met a physical need.

praise the Lord

changes in life

Shortly before Jonah was born I signed up for a facebook account. I think it is so cool. I love being able to "keep up" with people that I wouldn't normally have everyday interaction with. I have been able to communicate with cousins that live across the country (wink ;) Stephanie!). And keep in touch with classmates that I graduated high school with and share pictures of our family and new little guy!

However, there is some strangeness to it too. Like the fact that my cousin in California and I have not spoken in years (due to distance/life etc) and now I know and she knows how our life is going on a day to day basis without much depth to the "new found" relationship.

I guess it is similar to this blog. I really have no idea who is reading this, but I sometimes pour my heart out about the things that I am thinking about or feeling. Not that this is a bad thing, but just an odd situation. It is amazing to me how much all this technology has changed our lives.

Dean & I were talking about "sexting" yesterday. It was a topic on Dr. Phil. If you don't know what it is, it is basically when a person takes a provocative photo of themselves on their camera phone and they send it to someone they like or their boyfriend/girlfriend. The ramifications of this are amazing. The receiver of the message can be charged with child pornography (as most of the people doing this are under 18 years old), and have to register as a sex offender. The person that is in the photo can be harassed, teased, even to the extreme of committing suicide. We were discussing it in the context of Jonah, and how we can not only protect him from this, but how we can guide him so that he makes better choices in his life for himself. We definitely agree that he will not have a camera phone, but who knows what new thing will be out by the time he is in his teenage years.

It amazes me how far the "world" is getting from God. Navigating is tough enough, but now to be responsible for someone else is sometimes overwhelming. I just want him to grow up loving God and knowing how much God loves him. I am realizing that however hard this baby stage is...it is going to get so much harder! I am praying that Jesus will help guide us to be the best parents that we can be and He will watch over and protect Jonah from the ugliness of this world!

getting bigger every day!

On Easter Sunday I got the day off, and was able to spend it at home with my family!!! Yippie! After we ate we were doing dishes and knowing just how much Amanda just loves puzzles, I challenged her to my tupperware storage containers. She was so excited to help me organize them because she thought of it as a puzzle. So she took all of them out, matched up lids and put them away in a very organized fashion! I love her!!! :) Of course Jonah had to be in on the action!


We have discovered that Jonah just totally loves Baby Einstien. I got him "baby mozart" in his Easter basket, but one morning when he was really screaming I got it out and put it on, and what do you know, he totally loved it!!! Now we put it on after he gets his prilosec so we can wait the 30 min. till he can eat. It usually works to distract him...YEAH!


This picture is from Monday...I just love that hat, and the "adorable" outfit from baby gap! He wouldn't smile at me, but he just kept looking at the camera!


I love his super smiley pictures. Dean was tickeling his nose...he loves it when you touch his nose and make silly noises! And he just loves his daddy!


The strange look on Jonah's face in this photo can easily be explained by the fact that shortly after this was taken he projectile vomited on himself and me!


Jonah is not the biggest fan of tummy time...he usually screams his head off till he falls asleep. I am not sure he gets the point of tummy time quite yet, but we keep working on it!


The mornings are usually his smiley time, like when he is getting dressed for the day, he loves it when I say good morning to him...and sing silly songs to him too.


I am not sure why this picture didn't upload all the way, but I thought it was way too cute anyhow! I just love those Gap RED line shirts. He has 3 of them (thanks to Sarah, Sam, & Once upon a child).


Of course we have to have Twins gear for Daddy...he wore this outfit on the day that his daddy went to the Twins opening gave. Too cute!



I swear, we go to bed, and the next morning Jonah is bigger, or has a new skill etc. I should pay more attention when I am up with him in the middle of the night! :)

happy easter

I was really glad to know that I wasn't going to have to work today, Jonah's first Easter, although it is my weekend to work. What a gift from God. I know that he won't remember if I was there or not, but as his mommy, it was important to me! :)

It has been a "stretching" experience to be back at work. I am feeling like my work is more a means to an end. However...our experiences have given me a different perspective about patient care.

I have realized just how important it is to be validated in your feelings especially by the people that are taking care of you (or your loved one). As the family or patient, you may not know all the "medical facts" but you know how you or your loved one feels. And I know that in the past, I have assumed because I know the science behind what is going on, that often times the patient/family were wrong, and I had to educate them on how they should feel. But now, after being in their shoes...I know that, although I may have been right about the medical facts that might not always be the most important piece of the puzzle. Perhaps what is more important is that they feel heard. For example, when we were in the worst of Jonah's reflux I didn't feel like the physician was listening to us at first, I knew how our life was during the 23 hours and 55 minutes that we were not face to face with the doctor. And just because they don't see it in the 5 minutes of contact, does not mean that it isn't true.

Now based on our experiences, I so appreciate hearing how the patient feels about the care that they are recieving. And how I can help them to feel like they are getting the best care that is possible.

sad

This is a sad commentary on the state of our union

article

I cannot begin to immagine how sad our founding "fathers" would be, who fought so hard to have freedom to worship God and now it seems as if the vast majority of our country could care less. SAD!

have grace

I need to have more grace for those around me, this I know. I have not been a good friend, wife, daughter, or really anything else either. I have expected to receive more than I have given. For this I am sorry. I need to daily make the choice to give of myself, and have more concern for others than myself. Basically be a Martha. (not stewart:) This especially goes for those in my immediate family...Dean & Jonah...but especially Dean.

I found out something very upsetting & rather than coming from a loving place of grace, my anger was ignited. I am not proud of this, but it was my initial reaction. After reflecting & not reacting (& some Godly council), I realize change can only come from within. So even though I am hurt by this, (note the real emotion is hurt, not anger) I need to have grace.

This is not to say I will be walked on, or manipulated, because that is not what I am suggesting. Just that in the interest of preserving what I hold most dear, I choose to forgive, even when the offender doesn't ask for it, or know enough to know that they are the offender or that they have offended.

Please know that choosing grace is sometimes difficult, particullarly when you are totally sleep deprived & dealing with a sick child, but I will try my best.

Thank you Lord for loving me just as I am, and having amazing grace for me.

"gi woes"

well...Mr.Jonah is still having some gi issues. still refluxing, still crying/screaming after lots of burps, still spitting up 3 hours after a feeding, still doing a lot of swallowing like he is trying really hard to keep it in after a feeding. But, the "freak-outs" during feedings have really decreased (only one in the last few days). And a few other issues that seem to be related to the formula change.

We did get a letter from his physician stating that he needs to be on this type of formula so hopefully we can get some insurance coverage for it (or at the very least use our HSA dollars so we can use it for a tax deduction).

The frustrating part is, I have called his physician's office nurse line and they pass a message along to him regarding the issues that are still going on. The most concerning one to me is that he still seems to be in pain when he refluxes and therefore screams. It is really hard to watch my baby be in pain. So, I have been that annoying mom, that is calling the physician frequently, because I feel like I need to be Jonah's advocate.

Yesterday I called again & I basically told the nurse that I really felt like his doctor was blowing me off...told me he was colicky and that I need to just put him in his crib, shut the door and turn up the TV. Now, that might be the thing to do for some people, but I just can't turn my back on someone that I believe to be hurting. Particularly my own child, who is totally dependent on me. So, long story long, he must have been sick of me calling enough so to order a consult with the ped. GI specialist. YEAH!
And even if things get better, which I sincerely hope they do, I just want his opinion about everything to make sure that we are doing the best for Jonah.

Of course, now I feel like I bullied my way to get what I wanted, and I feel badly about it. I am a little worried about his 4 month visit, that it may be a little awkward. I am actually thinking we may switch physicians, not because of the awkwardness, but because I think a physician that is a little more proactive would suit us better. Haven't decided yet. Plus, I am not sure how to even go about switching...any pointers??? ;)

Here's a happy boy picture...yes, he does have happy times too, which makes it all TOTALLY worth it! He has a very ticklish nose!