Tuesday, September 08, 2009

5 Week Well - Child - Visit


Today was Finnley's second official "well-child-visit" at the ped's office. Now, due to the reflux we have seen the docs more often, but these are the "important visits".

Finnley weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz. That is up from her birth weight of 6 lbs 1 oz...and her lowest weight of 5 lbs 8 oz. Last time she was in she was at 6 lbs 6 oz...a great improvement overall. She is now also 20 1/2 inches long. She finally made it on the charts for a full term babe for weight, albeit only the 10th percentile. And, she is still measuring at the 25th percentile for length. Long skinny girl!

Let's see, what else (she types, losing her train of thought because Finnley is crying off and on continuously and needs to have the HOLE PLUGGED!):The doc said that the colicky behavior could start improving in the next several weeks. Not sure I buy that, but whatever. It is good to have hope! She (at that point) should also start "cooing" and making other noises that happier babies make. We will see about that, too!

The doc does not think that Finnley will have any developmental delays, and she thinks that Finn looks and seems great, outside of the reflux. She is ok with the formula change I made (going against their recommendation of Soy), and she is ok that we are keeping her off the meds. If she loses weight or if she doesn't gain it well, then we will need to put her back on meds. Ok.

She also said that Finnley is responding to noise well, following light well, and looks at things / focuses well. All good news.

Cradle cap? Just put some baby oil on it, brush the flakes off, and shampoo her a few times a week. It will get better.

Jaundice? Nearly gone. Eyes are clear. Just a touch remains on her forehead, but this is "normal". It will get better, as well.

Spotting a trend? Apparently everything "will get better" as time goes on. One can only hope!

I told her (sheepishly) that Matt and I had started having Finnley sleep in her carseat.

I am a fast typer, and I seriously can't hardly type one sentence before she has spit out the pacifier and starts whaling again.

Where was I?

Carseat. Ok.


So, the doc is actually on board with us using the carseat! She said that her son had reflux, too, and that they used the carseat for bedtime because it made his reflux "feel better" and helped him sleep longer. Well, hallelujah to that! Finnley went from not being in the carseat (insert more crying here...oh, and here...diaper change...now let's see...) and letting me get only 3.5 hours of broken sleep one night, including a three hour awake session in the middle of the night TO letting me get two bouts of 3 hours of sleep last night. I will take that.

Oh, the screaming continues....AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Seriously, where is the duct tape?


Anything else? Oh, I don't know. How can anyone think or type with screaming in the background? Guess I will save any other updates from this visit for another day. Like, when Finnley turns 18 and stops crying for two seconds. yeah. Something like that.

OK...wow...she must have been reading this or my thoughts...she stopped crying for a minute!

So, the doctor told me candidly today that she was miserable with her son who had reflux. She said that she and her husband (especially her husband) questioned why they ever wanted to have kids in the first place...that is how bad it was. Well, I know the feeling. But? She says...IT WILL GET BETTER!

Crying resumes. Must go...damn, she is lucky she is so cute...

8 comments:

Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com said...

Hey, ON THE CHARTS is ON THE CHARTS, 10th percentile or not. Good job growing, Finnley!! (And oh my goodness, she's adorable!)

I'm glad to hear that things should get better. It sounds like you've had your work cut out for you, but you're doing great =) I hope that the doctor's right and life eases up a bit soon!

Unknown said...

The reflux DOES get better as she grows into her body. :)

M and M: said...

Yeah, yeah...it does get better. I hear ya. I just want to live it and believe it! For myself!

Sarah - yep, you are right. On the charts is on the charts. She is growing well, so I have no complaints there. Little trouper, she is! Hoping life eases up soon, too! But, adorable...she has that going for her, regardless.

Rachel said...

Megan:

Sorry you are going through this- but happy the new formula is helping. Our first was the dream baby, so imagine our utter shock in learning a baby truly could make your life miserable. Lila was hands down the most miserable, non-sleeping, ear-piercing, cry-baby on the planet! She wouldn't nurse, she wouldn't nap, she wouldn't swing or relax in a bouncy. It was pure hell. So you aren't alone- for whatever that's worth.

The good news is that at 17 months, she is now a funny, happy, sleeping, and smart toddler! She is a ton of fun and makes that first year of suffering seem worth it (somewhat :)

Hang in there! Lots of long walks helped me- even if she screamed through them- the fresh air helped keep me sane. Like you said, they come out cute for a reason :)

M and M: said...

Thanks, Rachel. Sheesh...I DO HOPE SO MUCH that Finn gets "better" prior to one year! Uggh! She had a TERRIBLE morning again today. I had spit up all down the inside of my shirt. She screamed the better part of the morning from 8am until 12pm. I could tell she was miserable and uncomfortable. I finally gave her reflux drugs at noon, and now she is sleeping. Not sure if it is coincidence or not, but we are both happier. So, definitely good that she is adorable, or we might not have survived the first part of today! ; ) Can't wait until we get to enjoy her more, that is for sure. Glad you have good times with your "miserable baby" these days!

Mrs. Pare said...

Megan- I don't have many words of comfort except to say I am thinking of you and will pray to whatever god you want for a speedy "better" moment. Poor, poor baby to go through all this at such a young age. It breaks my heart. The rest of your days must be filled with wonderful moments, for life owes you after your pregnancy and early mommyhood. Finnley will grow up to be an amazing child that lights up a room with her smile. She will.

Megan P said...

By the way, "Ms. Judge" and is really Megan P from FASS. Woops.

M and M: said...

Thanks, Megan. Had a rough 24 hours...5 huge spit ups (whole bottle) with some projectile moments. Back to a previous formula...now thickened with rice cereal...and adding her meds to the formula. Fun times! The good news is she is 8lbs 5oz. Not all bad. Poor poor peanut. Let's hope better days are ahead. Keep those prayers coming for that!