Front Page – above the fold
Headline: First Cold
Synopsis: Erin has gotten what appears to be our first baby illness. She was a bit stuffy night before last, but it was better during the day. Last night it was worse again (perhaps from laying down?), and she was wheezing quite a bit this morning. Poor baby! I guess I’m going to have to figure out some means of treating her. And so far this morning she’s wanted to snuggle even more than usual. That could get interesting…
Front Page – below the fold (left column)
Headline: Still Not Sleeping
Synopsis: I can’t figure out what’s causing Alex to wake up 2-2.5 hours after he eats. I tried feeding him early, but while he did eventually eat, he didn’t seem to really want that. So this morning, when he woke up screeching at 7 a.m (he last ate at 4:30), I gave him gas drops and picked him up. He burped 5 times. So perhaps gas is my nighttime enemy…I really wish I could figure this out. I’m getting frustrated.
Front Page – below fold (right column)
Headline: Major Accomplishments
Synopsis: Surprisingly, I got a lot done yesterday. I ironed all of Eric’s clothes – only one day after washing them! I was very proud of myself! I also folded baby clothes, cleaned the kitchen (only to see it messed up again with dinner preparations 
), and did another load of laundry. That load was necessitated by Erin spitting up on my lap after eating first thing in the morning. I decided those pants could not be reworn without washing (sadly, this is not always true – depends on how much spit-up hits the feeding pillow vs. how much hits me!). I also found time to be on the internet, read a little bit, and talk to Eric. And considering that I may be dealing with much more unhappy babies today (sick (Erin) or tired (Alex) or both!), it probably was good that I got all that done yesterday!
Health Section
Headline: Best Cold Remedies for Babies
Synopsis: A quick perusal of the What To Expect: The First Year indicates that I should stick to nasal aspiration (she hates it), saline drops (have to get some) and humidifiers (glad Karen got me one for the shower we had in February!). I haven’t checked for a fever yet, so I haven’t done any Tylenol. Any recommendations? What worked for you?
Arts & Life Section
Headline: Trilogy is recommended
Synopsis: My MIL gave me 3 books by Lyn Austen for my birthday. The series is called Refiner’s Fire, and it’s set in the Civil War. The titles are Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, and A Light to my Path. If you haven’t read them and like historical Christian Fiction, these are pretty good.
Headline: Time Change Effects Linger
Synopsis: I’m so glad I’m not the only one who’s been sucker-punched by this time change. The dark mornings are killing me. I don’t remember them being this hard to deal with in past years. But maybe I just wasn’t waiting for the dawn with such eagerness (read: while trying to soothe 2 babies in the dark at once) in past years. Still, I hope I adjust soon. And it is nice to have the light so much later in the evenings.
Okay, this is a short edition, I realize. But as Alex is starting to make noise, I think I’d better sign off now. I may try to add more later. Happy Thursday!
I use the saline drops when I am congested–they work well. They were recommended by our pharmacist here. Hope everyone feels better soon. Wishing you increased sleep time all around!
I wish I had accomplished all my ironing yesterday. Sadly, it’s still waiting for me!!
You are so clever! I like the “Baby Times” idea.
Hope the cold doesn’t last long. The vaporizer and saline works wonders!! Good job getting so much accomplished yesterday!!
We do the humidifier, but haven’t tried much beyond that. Shiphrah’s colds have never been absolutely miserable for her…just annoying. She hated the aspirator so much that I rarely used it…I couldn’t ever seem to suck up enough snot to make her feel better and all the crying just seemed to make the problem worse. So I only used it if it really sounded like she was having trouble breathing (which was almost never). Now she can blow her nose by herself, so no more of that mess!
^ I agree with bensmomshelly. Try propping her a little more upright in some way – lifting one side of the crib up a little or putting her in the boppy, letting her sleep in the swing or her carseat, etc.
Great accomplishments!! Way more than I got done yesterday!
Gas was a major problem for Kayla when she was that age. We started giving her gas drops each time we were putting her down to sleep, and it helped a lot.
@bensmomshelly – There is coughing. Actually, the congestion stops being so much in the nose during the day (it’s already pretty much gone), but I can still hear it back in her throat.
@faithchick – Thanks! I appreciate all the prayers, advice and encouragement – especially from all you moms who’ve “been there, done that”!
@Kdelayne – Why does it not surprise me at all that J hates the aspirator AND the drops?
You’re doing the right stuff for the cold! The other thing that might help is to elevate the head of the crib if laying flat seems to exacerbate the coughing (wait…….is there coughing?) or makes it harder for babies to breathe.
ditto the saline drops. that’s what our doc recommended anyway. i can’t think of anything else.
you’re doing great, shannah. and it’s so great that you actually admit where your’e frustrated instead of just tyring to stifle it. i’m sure that helps you get through…
have a wonderful day today & don’t forget there are lots of people thinking of you & praying for you!
and fabulous job on your accomplishments yesterday!
Glad you have the vaporizer, too. It wasn’t until Jason’s first cold that I wished I’d had foresight into getting one ahead of time. Jason hates the aspirator, too. And the saline drops!