Train(wreck) to Grandma's
Sep. 29th, 2007 09:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
judecorpWe attempted a road trip with the punk today so we could go visit my grandparents. We used to go see them at least once a month pre-baby and hadn't gone down since the baby was born. I know that they miss the visits and I really do like spending time with them, I was just dreading the thought of a road trip with a newborn.
The punk has become a bit of a scheduled baby. I never "put her on a schedule" but I did coax her into a bedtime (which worked VERY well) and since then she has become awfully regulated. (I guess she gets that from me, heh.) She goes to bed around 7:30pm very easily, sleeps until about 4am and wakes up for some milk and a diaper, then goes right back down until about 7:30am. And then she takes a very predictable morning nap around 10.
The afternoons? Not so much, because we're always running around somewhere or doing something so I haven't figured her out. But we're getting there.
The other day my mamas group was meeting up in Ashfield (a good 45 minutes away) for breakfast and a walk. I wasn't going to go because, hey, that's a long way to go, but I thought I would give it a try. And it was bad. So bad. Screaming the whole way there, lots of puking (screaming begets puking), a misplaced nap and a missed feeding, etc. And then she conked out for the night at like 6pm. So I was leery of this weekend.
And it was a TRAINWRECK. First, we didn't get it together fast enough to leave the house at naptime. I really wanted to leave at 10 so she would have a headstart of sleeping in the car. But Jen took extra time in the shower and then needed to wash bottles, so I didn't even get into the shower until 10:15... just as punk was drifting off. But instead of enjoying her delicious, scheduled nap, she needed a sponge bath and some clothes and oh boy, that was not helpful at all. Because then she was UP, and up meant "I do NOT want to go into this car seat" and "I do NOT want to nurse to sleep" and "I am getting really hungry but am screaming so much that I can't eat." Eventually I got her settled with a little snack and she slipped into the car seat and fell asleep. It was 11:30. She usually eats around 11:30 or 12. Sigh.
So she slept for a very short time but woke up as we went through the drive through at the rest stop, and then was awake kicking, talking, and puking for the entirety of the trip. We got to my grandparents' and she was COVERED in formula and starving. We changed her, she downed a bottle, and then realized she was in a weird place and was off schedule and REALLY tired, and just... lost it.
She pretty much cried and fussed for most of the visit except for a quick cat nap and some zoning out time in front of the ceiling fan. My grandmother kept asking what was wrong with her: "Why is she so fussy?" and my favorite, "Maybe something is wrong with her stomach." And then of course my grandparents both had to comment that she must have gotten it from me, because I was a "difficult baby."
~//~
It's weird, there's lots in the Blogosphere today about "difficult babies." I wouldn't call the punk difficult, but I would call her high maintenance. And you know, it's stressful but it's OKAY. Because she's a baby, and it's not her fault that she has reflux and weird broken blood vessels and likes to be scheduled. But there's this weird idea out there, especially with older family members, that she needs to be "fixed" or that I "need a break" from her.
My mother recently asked if she should fly up for a couple of days so I could get a break from the baby. Argh! I don't want a break from the baby, I want the baby to feel better and not have mysterious stuff going on. And let me tell you, a visit from my mom isn't going to cure any of that. :)
The punk has become a bit of a scheduled baby. I never "put her on a schedule" but I did coax her into a bedtime (which worked VERY well) and since then she has become awfully regulated. (I guess she gets that from me, heh.) She goes to bed around 7:30pm very easily, sleeps until about 4am and wakes up for some milk and a diaper, then goes right back down until about 7:30am. And then she takes a very predictable morning nap around 10.
The afternoons? Not so much, because we're always running around somewhere or doing something so I haven't figured her out. But we're getting there.
The other day my mamas group was meeting up in Ashfield (a good 45 minutes away) for breakfast and a walk. I wasn't going to go because, hey, that's a long way to go, but I thought I would give it a try. And it was bad. So bad. Screaming the whole way there, lots of puking (screaming begets puking), a misplaced nap and a missed feeding, etc. And then she conked out for the night at like 6pm. So I was leery of this weekend.
And it was a TRAINWRECK. First, we didn't get it together fast enough to leave the house at naptime. I really wanted to leave at 10 so she would have a headstart of sleeping in the car. But Jen took extra time in the shower and then needed to wash bottles, so I didn't even get into the shower until 10:15... just as punk was drifting off. But instead of enjoying her delicious, scheduled nap, she needed a sponge bath and some clothes and oh boy, that was not helpful at all. Because then she was UP, and up meant "I do NOT want to go into this car seat" and "I do NOT want to nurse to sleep" and "I am getting really hungry but am screaming so much that I can't eat." Eventually I got her settled with a little snack and she slipped into the car seat and fell asleep. It was 11:30. She usually eats around 11:30 or 12. Sigh.
So she slept for a very short time but woke up as we went through the drive through at the rest stop, and then was awake kicking, talking, and puking for the entirety of the trip. We got to my grandparents' and she was COVERED in formula and starving. We changed her, she downed a bottle, and then realized she was in a weird place and was off schedule and REALLY tired, and just... lost it.
She pretty much cried and fussed for most of the visit except for a quick cat nap and some zoning out time in front of the ceiling fan. My grandmother kept asking what was wrong with her: "Why is she so fussy?" and my favorite, "Maybe something is wrong with her stomach." And then of course my grandparents both had to comment that she must have gotten it from me, because I was a "difficult baby."
~//~
It's weird, there's lots in the Blogosphere today about "difficult babies." I wouldn't call the punk difficult, but I would call her high maintenance. And you know, it's stressful but it's OKAY. Because she's a baby, and it's not her fault that she has reflux and weird broken blood vessels and likes to be scheduled. But there's this weird idea out there, especially with older family members, that she needs to be "fixed" or that I "need a break" from her.
My mother recently asked if she should fly up for a couple of days so I could get a break from the baby. Argh! I don't want a break from the baby, I want the baby to feel better and not have mysterious stuff going on. And let me tell you, a visit from my mom isn't going to cure any of that. :)
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Date: 2007-09-30 02:49 am (UTC)We had a bit of a day like yours today. Baby's first midevil reenactment event outside. Lets just say that the Great Outdoors aren't quite so great for a fair-skinned, people-sensitive 3-month-old.
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Date: 2007-09-30 02:59 am (UTC)and I know it's wrong ('cause she's unhappy) but the icon is so cute!!
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Date: 2007-09-30 05:12 am (UTC)That said, all mamas do need a break every now and then, and I do hope you're finding some ways to get away (even if just to the yard!) and breathe a bit...
Sorry the trip was so rough - we have had those days too, where we miss the magical roadtrip naptime, and it plays havoc with our entire day. And also with my tension levels, which of course doesn't exactly add to the joy either.
You're doing great, and someday soon she won't be puking up as much, she'll be a wee bit more flexible on the schedule, and trips will become more manageable... but your relative will still probably say asinine things! lol!
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Date: 2007-09-30 06:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-30 11:20 am (UTC)I've missed a bit here and there and with all the reflux and tummy troubles have you checked her for food allergies? She sounds a lot like a baby I knew and he was finally diagnosed at 9 mos and what a difference. He was dairy and egg allergic. As soon as the diet changed, so did he.
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Date: 2007-09-30 12:44 pm (UTC)Do you get the stupid food suggstions as a magical cure all too? Everyone kept telling me to give Seth cereal, give him formula, put cereal in the formula etc etc. Which part of fuck off didn't they understand??? I'm feeling your pain babe.
xxx Mermaidgrrrl
PS - I wish I could post you some breast milk now I've got some :-(
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Date: 2007-09-30 01:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-30 03:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-30 07:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-01 02:41 am (UTC)It will get easier as she gets older, just hang in there!
Hey
Date: 2007-10-01 02:34 pm (UTC)She also said to give you her # in case you wanted to bounce ideas off of.. If ya would want it.. Let me know..