Note to reader: If you are reading this, I wrote this post as more of a journal entry to remember this time in my life rather than a typical update.
I think most mothers say, “Where did the time go?” I guess I never fit the bill of a typical mother. I’ve been asking myself, “Has it only been six months?” Don’t get me wrong, I love my little Eli Belly, but I also love sleeping through the night, wearing clothing absent of drool spots, and embracing the sweet sounds of absolutely nothing at all (no rattling, screaming, baby toy music, and the not-so-soothing buzzing from the baby monitor). I have left the life of a professional and become a fulltime baby entertainer. I specialize in goo-goo-ga-ga sound effects, munchkin physical therapy, drool-ology, pooh-pooh sanitation, and gourmet baba making.
During those brief, and I mean brief moments to myself, I wonder what life would be like if I were a “working mom.” Then I think about how no one would take as good a care of Eli as her momma. I would hate to spend all day working with other children while mine was somewhere else. I take pride in making sure she is clean, fed, and happy. A lot goes into those three things esp. with a post colic baby. Our day usually consists of 2-4 outfit changes and an average of six bibs just to keep her dry. Not only does she drool a lot but she also spits up quiet a bit. I usually change my shirt 2-3 times because it is soaked in spit up. I also like to keep a close eye on how many wet and solid diapers she goes through. For the past couple of weeks Eli has only been pooping once every 1-3 days. Yes, sometimes she goes 72 hours before having a solid diaper. We only use special baby water in making her bottles in an attempt to keep heavy minerals in tap water out of her body. No idea if this is helpful but we will do anything to get things move more frequently.
I hope the pooh-pooh discussion didn’t make you queasy.
Then there is all the extra work involved in cloth diapers and formula. Don’t get me wrong, I want to do my part to “safe the planet,” but we only use clothes diapers because Eli seems to have sensitivity to plastics/latex. This runs in my family so we were not surprised.
Last but not least, there is her reflux medication. We have heard that the prilosec can lower her immune system since it kills some of the healthy stomach enzymes. I need to remember to ask her doctor about that at her next visit. Anyway, we wash all her bottles with soak and water, and then steam them in the microwave just to be extra sanitary.
It sounds like a lot of work and it is a lot of work. Then there are those moments when she falls a sleep with her hand around my finger or when she giggles at something silly. Moments that make everything worth it.
Just a few minutes before we left for our Birthday Date!!!
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