Our first trip to the E.R.

Yesterday was quite possibly the scariest day of my life. We had to take Cooper into the E.R. I took CRP and infant first aid but was hoping I'd never have to actually use it. We've decided we're taking a refresher course to be safe.

Cooper was playing in the middle of the floor, there was NOTHING close to him and he started choking. He started off crying but then started coughing really bad. It sounded like he was choking and couldn't breath. I scooped him up and sat on the couch with him. I flipped him on his stomach on my legs and began back thrusts on him. He calmed down a little so I flipped him over and looked in mouth to see if there was anything in there - nothing. I did a very shallow, quick finger sweep and nothing.

He started coughing again. A high pitched, gagging, screaming cough. I flipped him back over and started again with the back thrusts. This time he started vomiting. When he stopped I cuddled him again but he started gagging again so I started with back pats this time. He started vomiting again but this time I saw little red spots mixed in with it - blood. That's when I really started panicking.

He calmed down again so I snuggled him to my chest. His face was bright red and he had a look of pure terror on his face. I will never forget that look. He was pleading with me to help him. When he was cuddled he wasn't crying, he had a very serene, calm demeanor to him. He gagged, vomited, snuggled off and on for at least 10 minutes, but it felt like hours to me.

Every time he got calm I would call Paul, desperately trying to get a hold of him. He wasn't at his desk and wasn't answering his cell phone. Finally on my 9th call he answered, I relayed what had happened and he rushed home. We now only have one car so I had to wait for him to get home before we could rush to the E.R. I called the Pediatrician and they said to take him straight to the E.R.

As soon as Cooper was done with his coughing, gagging, choking spell he was perfect. He snuggled up in my arms, sucked his binky and just laid there staring at my face. I was terrified to put him down so I held him until Paul got home, we snuggled up on the couch together.

Paul made it home in record time and we headed to the E.R.

When we got to the E.R. they took his temp and weight and then we waited... and waited... and waited. Let's just say we got to the E.R. at 2:30, went back at 3:45 and left for home at 6:15. TONS of waiting.

They did an x-ray to make sure he didn't have anything lodged in his throat or tummy. That is what we were so worried about and why we took him in. They found nothing. phew! The dr. said that he most likely spit up and then inhaled it which caused him to choke. The blood was a result of popped blood vessels in his throat because he was coughing so hard.

Every time he coughs I freak! I rush to him to check on him. I'm sure I will do this for quite some time.

Oh yea, Cooper weighs 17.32lbs now!!!

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

We had a visit with our pediatric ophthalmologist today about Coop's plugged tear duct and everything is just fine!

Dr. Rao said that he definitely does have a plugged duct (duh!) but it would most likely clear on it's own by 12 months. We do have the option of having a probe procedure done before 8 months without anesthesiology or after 12 months with anesthesiology. They take a probe and go into his tear duct to push the clog through.

We have decided to wait. Even if it doesn't clear by 12 months this is a procedure I would much rather then do when he is asleep. I asked how they did it when he was awake and they said they wrap them up in a blanket really tight and kinda vise the head... ummmm I don't think so! Not my baby, no way, no how!

So we're waiting it out, hoping it passes on its own. Only time will tell!

6 month check up

Yesterday was Coopers 6 month check up. He weighs 15 lbs and is 26 inches long. My boy is growing!

Anyone who knows me knows that we don't go to well baby visits. We're not vaxing so it's not necessary IMO, *I* don't need a doctor to tell me that my baby is growing just fine, getting big, doing what he's supposed to etc. when I can see this for myself. But I decided to do the 6 month check up just to see how much he weighs... literally that's all I wanted to know lol...

So as I was saying - 15 lbs and 26 inches long!!! WOW!!! He tripled his birth weight in 6 months! His weight puts him on the low end of percentage (10%) and his length is perfect (50%). I really don't give a crap about the percentages though. I can see that my baby is growing, thriving and developing just fine. And last I heard these percentages were based on white formula fed babies in the 1950's... yea that sums up every baby in the country... what a joke lol. (I don't know if this is 100% true or not, it's just what I've heard. So don't bombard me with emails calling me a liar please! If you've heard differently I am interested in hearing what you've heard)

Anyways, Cooper is doing great. Dr. Margolis wasn't concerned at all about his weight... he's a little chubbos with rolls anyways lol. He said we should try to get him to eat more solids (we're working on that) but isn't too concerned. He said we're doing everything right and to just keep feeding on demand and following his lead... which is what we've been doing all along!

We've been trying to get Cooper to eat some solids for the past week or so now; he could be more intersted in watching paint dry! LOL. He'll take a few bites (usually 5 or so), spit most of it back out, make the cutest funniest face, and then he's done lol. Which is fine with me. I know his body won't digest or absorb anything from the solids anyways so we're just going through the motions, trying to get him used to swallowing something other the milkies and getting him used to the spoon... so far it's not working lol.... but we'll keep trying!

Cooper has had baby rice (whole wheat organic of course lol) with milkies and avocado mashed up... He did okay with the rice the first night but after that wasn't interested, and he's not too fond of the avocado. We'll do the avocado tonight and then tomorrow we'll switch to carrots or sweet potatoes, haven't decided which one yet.

We are making all our own baby food... all organic of course! lol... So when I get ready to do the carrots I'll steam them, mash them up with a little coconut oil or milkies and give it to him that way... Must remember to ask Dr. Sandie about this today... When I do the sweet potatoes I'll bake them and then use coconut oil or milkies to smooth it out... we'll see which I do next... it'll most likely be carrots.

Anyways... moving on....

I called my Mother In Law (MIL) on the way home from the dr. to give her an update on C's weight and stuff and was met with a wonderful surprise! After telling her that he was only in the 10th% for weight and that I wasn't concerned and neither was the dr. she told me she wasn't concerned either. She said that Coop is obvioulsy a growing, strong, happy baby and there's nothing to worry about. Then she went on to tell me that she thinks I'm a wonderful mother and am doing a fabulous job with Cooper!!! It was great to hear that. I told her how much I appreciate her saying that to me. Thank you Fay!

I know I'm the *crazy* parent to a lot of people and I know that not everyone agrees with the way we parent, I am okay with that. I've come to admire the quirky looks I get from people in the stores when I'm wearing Coop or they realize he's in a cloth diaper. I know we're different then most parents, we are in the minority and I like it that way!!!

Okay, I'm outta here, I've written enough!

xoxoxo 

Amanda

10.4lbs, 21 inches

We went to the pediatrician today and Cooper now weighs 10.4 pounds and is 21 inches long!!!! 10.4 pounds!!! He's doubled his birth weight! Amazing!! Woo hoo for breast milk... he certainly is an eater... little piggy!! But I love my little piggy!! HEHE

Dr. Shaya said not to worry about the no poop thing. He showed us a way to massage his belly to try to help it move along, but said it's normal for breastfed babies to go days without pooping. He said if we wanted to around day 6-7 of no pooping (we're on day 4 now) that we can stimulate his butt hole with a vaselined q-tip... Not to insert the q-tip, just lightly rub it on his butt hole. He also warned us that if we decide to do this to have a diaper ready to cover because it gets very messy very quickly LOL. If he hasn't pooped by Friday we'll probably give this a try... We'll see.

We are still using the BG One Size diaper but I am starting to think it's a tab bit bulky. I really like it though, just not the bulk... His newborn clothes don't fit him at all with it on, and his 0-3 months are snug.... But it's sooo cute!! I am still amazed at home absobent it is. I am letting him sleep in it tonight to give it a good 4-5 hour try.

Anyways, I found another diaper to try out. I just ordered for the Wahmie's One Size fromKelly's Closet. It should be here by Saturday hopefully so we can give it a try and it's the same price as the BG One Size.

I'm anxious to get the ball rolling on this whole cloth diaper thing, but want to make sure we buy the right kind. There's so much stuff to consider when going with cloth diapers. We knew from the start that we wanted One Size diapers, that way we don't have to order more diapers as he grows. And then we have to figure out if we need to buy inserts for the diapers. The BG One Size came with a doubler and an insert, and the Wahmies comes with an insert as well, so we don't need to buy those for now.

And then we're looking into cloth wipes, so I have to do all the research on that to find out which ones are the best... I'm thinking about the Thirsties Wipes. But have just discoveredFuzzi Buns Wonder Wipes.

And of course we have to get the Diaper Sprayer. Don't forget the wet bag as well... Kelly's Closet doesn't have the wet bag that I want... It's so hard to find a site that has all the items I want that way I'm not having to order from 3 different sites and pay for 3 diff shippings... ARG! LOL. The swim diaper is a must as well!!!

OMG There's so much stuff!!! But the price isn't that bad and the savings will be amazing... The average baby uses $2000 worth of diapers in 2 years and $800 worth of wipes in 2 years. We can get the diapers, wipes, sprayer, wet bags, etc. for around $400!!! Amazing savings if you ask me!!

Anyways, Coopers sleeping and it's almost midnight so I need to get to bed. I'm going to Babies R Us tomorrow to get the activity center, jumperoo, and bumbo sitter... Woo hoo for baby shopping!!

xoxoxo

Amanda

6 week check ups

Cooper and I had our 6 week check ups yesterday. 

I have healed perfectly from what Kathy (the midwife) says. Woo hoo!!! I'm in the clear! 

Cooper is doing great. The pediatrician says he is a totally healthy 6 week old weighing in at 9 lbs and 20 inches long!!! 9 lbs!! In 6 weeks he has gained 4 lbs and 2 inches. Amazing. Breastmilk does a body good! LOL 

Not much else is going on. Cooper is sleeping peacefully in his daddy's arms at the moment. The weather has finally gotten warm here, in the 70's everday, so we've been going for a lot of walks. Cooper loves to go for walks, and Pebbles doesn't mind either! 

I've started putting Cooper in the Baby Bjorn (front carrier) during the day so I can get some stuff donw around the house. It's great! I'm able to do the laundry, dishes, etc and he's not fussing or crying. He really likes it too. 

Well, I guess I'll get off here for now. Not much more to report, he's just growing like a weed!! 

Love, 

Mandy, Paul, and Cooper!!!