Three days ago I started a post describing how we FINALLY found a cure for Anika's colic. I was literally 1/2 done with the post and thought, "I shouldn't jinx this" when she started to wail. She had been a peaceful little angel for 2 days prior. We started to swaddle her and give her a little Karo syrup with her bottles. This helps loosen her poop so it doesn't hurt so much for her. She's not dehydrated. I think it's the soy formula that has made her poop VERY solid. Then, half way through my post, it started up and continued for a day and a half. We couldn't figure out what was different. Then yesterday, in desperation I bought a DVD called "The Happiest Baby on the Block." That DVD should be on everyone's baby shower wish list! Between that and making a few other changes (using bottled water and less Karo) Anika has done well again. When she does start screaming, we can use the tips from the DVD and she INSTANTLY settles down. It's actually freaky how fast she shuts off the crying. Part of her problem had been that what starts as a little gas or discomfort gets her so cranked up. I think she's just difficult to soothe but with our new tips we finally figured it out.
This weekend James' parents flew down from NH for a visit. We had a great time visiting. My mom is also still with us in MD so it was a full house and the kids had TONS of attention and James and I got some much needed rest. It gave me a taste of how great it would be to have family close by. It's too bad we all live so far apart. At least it's closer than when James and I lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Tomorrow I have to take Jack to get his hearing tested. He had his 2 year pediatrician appt last week and his doc agreed that he is REALLY far behind with speaking. The weird thing is that he understands so much. He knows numbers, colors, can find things we ask him to get. I am nervous that maybe he is developing hearing loss as a result of ECMO. The other thing I read somewhere is that the carotid artery feeds the left brain which controls language centers. I wonder if having his right carotid artery ligated could have some impact on his speech? Either way, we re-enrolled with Infants & Toddlers and he will start with a speech therapist. I hope it works because lately he seems like he gets frustrated because we don't understand him. Fortunately, he's a smart kid and finds a way to make us understand by leading us, pointing, etc.
That's about it for now. Wish us luck with the hearing test!
Vic
2 comments:
I just have to say---I love the pictures! They are totally amazing! Will be keeping Jack in my prayers concerning his hearing test and Anika in my prayers concerning the colic. Angel kisses to the kids!
Wow! The pictures are awesome. We got the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD from my mom (she saw it at GBMC while waiting for me to finish up a lactation consultation). It is awesome. The bonus tracks of white noise were a go to when nothing else seemed to work.
Kids talk at their own pace. Don't worry too much yet. My nephew Ryan did not start talking until after he was 2. Nathaniel is a few months younger than Jack and he only has a few actual words. I think it is more important how much they can understand and communicate than how many real words they have by age 2.
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