Wren is feeling great. He is crawling and exploring again without whimpering all the time and wanting to be carried. His bottom left outer teeth are cutting through the gums and are visible. His lower molars continue to swell and look as if they must emerge soon.
Among Wren's favorite things is the night light. When he wakes in the morning and finishes nursing he crawls to the edge of the bed and tries to get down to chew it. I have to get up and hide it under the bed before he gets hold of it.
These are the things that Wren understands:
- Where are the fishies? (looks up)
- Kitty? (looks around attentively)
- No (shakes his head from side to side and smiles)
- Ball (looks for ball)
- Throw it! (throws the ball)
- Do you want to eat? (whimpers, falls over and tries to claw at me)
Now, about me. I went to have my TB test at the doctor. I had a sub-cutaneous injection and unlike prior TB tests it was excruciatingly painful. The syringe seemed to have a lot of stuff in it and I asked the Dr whether she was really going to inject all that into me!
When I got home hours later there were a string of calls from the doctors office asking me to call her. I found out later (amidst many apologies) that they had injected me with a Tetanus shot not a TB test. I went in today for the correct shot in the other arm. Unfortunately, the tetanus shot site is extremely painful and swollen. I can't carry Wren on that side any more (and its the only side I carry him) and I can't really sleep on that side because it is very red, burning and ultra-sensitive. The Doc said that it may take another few days for the drug to disperse and the swelling subside. OUCH.
We also went to infant coop for the first time. Wren had a great time and crawled around and groped the other babies and the balls. He especially likes balls. At the doctors office he liked the string instruments - the bass and a banjo - and stayed there a long time scratching the strings to make noise. The only thing that could compete was eating the soil in the potted plants (yes, I stopped him quickly).
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Dr Yesterday Dr Today
I took Wren for a checkup at the Ped yesterday. She saw nothing wrong other than his crankiness. We were told to stop Tylenol for 24 hours to see whether he had a feve.r A fever could indicated endocarditis. We did. He did not have a fever.
Dr Today
But this morning I noticed Wren had a rash on his lower belly. By 11am it was all over his belly. I was near the doctors' office since I was buying a new cable for the garage door. I dropped in and Wren was seen. Apparently it looks like a Roseola rash but his fever was not high enough for Roseola so it was probably some virus. The rash comes on as the virus is broken down.
He is better. He is not contagious. He has a rash.
Oh, and one of his two bottom teeth is cutting through the gum (at last). There are 2 molars and one more bottom tooth poised to follow.
Dr Today
But this morning I noticed Wren had a rash on his lower belly. By 11am it was all over his belly. I was near the doctors' office since I was buying a new cable for the garage door. I dropped in and Wren was seen. Apparently it looks like a Roseola rash but his fever was not high enough for Roseola so it was probably some virus. The rash comes on as the virus is broken down.
He is better. He is not contagious. He has a rash.
Oh, and one of his two bottom teeth is cutting through the gum (at last). There are 2 molars and one more bottom tooth poised to follow.
If you're crawling you don't wear overalls
I wish someone would take the Carters designers who make all these 6-12 mo overalls and make them crawl around in them all day. They would be stripping before breakfast. Honestly, crawling babies shouldn't wear overalls.
I have 4 sets of gorgeous overalls in the 6-12 month size. I came to the cupboard this morning and there they were. They are the newest cleanest clothes Wren has because he hasn't worn them. I thought I might try again and took out the largest once and rolled up the legs. Off he went.
As soon as he was horizontal I saw it wouldn't work. They tug at his shoulders and pull between his legs. Still, I pulled him up and released the tension. He looked great. Off he went again - as soon as he crawled the overalls we tight again. Argh.
Meanwhile, in the leg department he was sliding all over the place because even though they were the right length when he stood up, when he crawled his legs retreated into the pants and he slipped and hit his face on the floor.
No more overalls until he can walk.
I have 4 sets of gorgeous overalls in the 6-12 month size. I came to the cupboard this morning and there they were. They are the newest cleanest clothes Wren has because he hasn't worn them. I thought I might try again and took out the largest once and rolled up the legs. Off he went.
As soon as he was horizontal I saw it wouldn't work. They tug at his shoulders and pull between his legs. Still, I pulled him up and released the tension. He looked great. Off he went again - as soon as he crawled the overalls we tight again. Argh.
Meanwhile, in the leg department he was sliding all over the place because even though they were the right length when he stood up, when he crawled his legs retreated into the pants and he slipped and hit his face on the floor.
No more overalls until he can walk.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Wren on Sunday
Wren was generally happier today and between the two bouts of Tylenol he has enjoyed he has not had a fever. That is the good news. The bad news is that he is still obviously happier after Tylenol and extremely irritable, cries easily and wants to be carried most of the time. It is a rare moment right now that he is happy and unmedicated - he is playing with some musical shakers and is entertained enough to be okay.
From this I think he is in pain. It could be his teeth - the molars continue to swell but are not through anywhere. It could be something else I can't see. I really don't know. We will be taking him to the doctor to talk about it.
My nerves are shot because, without Joshua doing baby-care too (which he has been) Wren is very high maintenance and I can barely do anything unless I carry him.
Today, we went to the Pharmacy to get some more anti-fungal (Wren still has oral thrush which is a candida infection in his cheeks which is not supposed to bother them) and the pharmacist commented that his dosage is 1/2 of what is usually recommended. Since Wren is not having rapid improvement with the 1ml X 4 she suggested we walk to the doctor about it. We also bought some gauze so I can swab the inside of his cheeks to make the preparation more effective.
We also went to the library and found a huge pile of good books for Frost. Wren was very helpful. When he saw me removing books from the shelf he started pulling down piles of books and dumping them on the floor. I thanked him for his contribution and put them back. A little girl (age 3) was concerned and kept telling him "No, no!" and saying "I can't understand what he is saying" (he was babbling back to her).
Wren is overtired because he is taking such short naps so I am going to take him for a walk while the chicken roasts. Unfortunately, the babysitter we had organized to watch Wren Friday mornings while I do my school shift has decided she is over committed so we are once again looking for someone.
From this I think he is in pain. It could be his teeth - the molars continue to swell but are not through anywhere. It could be something else I can't see. I really don't know. We will be taking him to the doctor to talk about it.
My nerves are shot because, without Joshua doing baby-care too (which he has been) Wren is very high maintenance and I can barely do anything unless I carry him.
Today, we went to the Pharmacy to get some more anti-fungal (Wren still has oral thrush which is a candida infection in his cheeks which is not supposed to bother them) and the pharmacist commented that his dosage is 1/2 of what is usually recommended. Since Wren is not having rapid improvement with the 1ml X 4 she suggested we walk to the doctor about it. We also bought some gauze so I can swab the inside of his cheeks to make the preparation more effective.
We also went to the library and found a huge pile of good books for Frost. Wren was very helpful. When he saw me removing books from the shelf he started pulling down piles of books and dumping them on the floor. I thanked him for his contribution and put them back. A little girl (age 3) was concerned and kept telling him "No, no!" and saying "I can't understand what he is saying" (he was babbling back to her).
Wren is overtired because he is taking such short naps so I am going to take him for a walk while the chicken roasts. Unfortunately, the babysitter we had organized to watch Wren Friday mornings while I do my school shift has decided she is over committed so we are once again looking for someone.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Fever Update
I have spoken with our pediatrician twice since the earlier post. Apparently, the concern with chronic fever of unknown origin in heart babies is that they are vulnerable to infectious endocarditis. I checked Wren's temperature this afternoon and it was only 100.4 after the Tylenol wore off as a result the Ped did not order blood cultures.
If it is 103 or above overnight we are to take Wren to the Children's Outpatient clinic tomorrow.
She felt that unless the fever was higher it was unlikely to be "very concerning".
I am not really reassured. I am still concerned.
If it is 103 or above overnight we are to take Wren to the Children's Outpatient clinic tomorrow.
She felt that unless the fever was higher it was unlikely to be "very concerning".
I am not really reassured. I am still concerned.
Fever goes on
I called the Heart Center Nurses Line to ask whether I could give Wren Motrin. I think it is better for inflammation like his huge erupting molar. Nurse Jennifer was a bit concerned when she heard he had had a fever of unknown origin for 3 days. She said she better "run it by Dr Lewin" to see what he thinks. She says the molar may, or may not, be causing it. I could have said that.
I feel quite frustrated because I have such a shoddy thermometer that I have no idea what his real temp is. They are more concerned if it is over 101.5. Well, I get about 100 underarm which is usually 1 degree more at the doctors using the in-the-ear one. I think we need a thermometer upgrade.
But wait, I don't have the car today. This always happens.
I feel quite frustrated because I have such a shoddy thermometer that I have no idea what his real temp is. They are more concerned if it is over 101.5. Well, I get about 100 underarm which is usually 1 degree more at the doctors using the in-the-ear one. I think we need a thermometer upgrade.
But wait, I don't have the car today. This always happens.
Idle Moments
Wren likes to:
- Unpack the cutlery from the dishwasher. He stands at the open door and pulls out spoons and knives and forks and sucks them and throws them on the floor with a shout.
- Suck on old hospital syringes (left over from the days he had lots of meds. No needles)
- Watch mobiles and fans going around.
- Grab fistfuls of cat fur attached to a cat.
- Eat what I am eating.
- Play what Frost is playing.
- Play the dropping things game while we go for walks in the stroller.
- Not have an intermittent fever of 101 for the third day.
Here is Wren playing xylophone yesterday.
- Unpack the cutlery from the dishwasher. He stands at the open door and pulls out spoons and knives and forks and sucks them and throws them on the floor with a shout.
- Suck on old hospital syringes (left over from the days he had lots of meds. No needles)
- Watch mobiles and fans going around.
- Grab fistfuls of cat fur attached to a cat.
- Eat what I am eating.
- Play what Frost is playing.
- Play the dropping things game while we go for walks in the stroller.
- Not have an intermittent fever of 101 for the third day.
Here is Wren playing xylophone yesterday.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Happy 9 Monthday to Wren
Wren is 9 months old today. For his baby book I am going to try and describe what he does and what he likes.
Wren's Personality
Wren is a fairly solemn little guy who smiles and laughs with people he knows but takes a while to warm up to strangers. When he meets a new person he simply stares unabashedly for A-G-E-S without expression. Once he knows you he likes to play games and gets excited when you talk to him.
Wren has a strong sense of what he wants: if you take away a toy he shouts and cries and screws up his face. At Mom and Tot yoga he clung to his toy despite attempts by toddlers to pull it away from him.
Wren and Frost
He loves Frost and will crane and stare and smile and become animated when Frost returns home. When we return from our morning walk he stares still and intent at the door at the top of the stairs because Frost often opens it and says "Good Morning" if he has woken while we were out.
Frost loves Wren but tends to overwhelm Wren with hugs and tries to carry him around. to save him from perceived danger. Frost is very anxious about Wren putting things in his mouth and choking so he spends a lot of time shrieking warnings and carrying Wren or toys to keep them apart. Today he asked me "how big the pipe" was that Wren breathes through. He was worried he might choke on fennel flowers.
He plays with Wren, rolling the ball to him, and does "shows" for Wren in which he leaps and rolls and jumps on the bed while Wren hoots appreciation and is nearly flattened by crooked jumps.
For all his love, Frost finds Wren a bit of a bother at times - he now has to keep his bedroom door closed and misses the long uninterrupted games we used to play.
Moving
Wren can crawl very well. Although he seldom goes up stairs he can do it. He can slide off a bed backwards but has not learned to go "feet first" off high things. Instead he does head first plunges if he is not caught and rotated. I manage to catch him most of the time.
Wren likes to stand up. Whenever he comes to a vertical surface, even a smooth one, he leans his hands against it and stands up. Once up he thumps it with his hand. He likes to stand at the gates and look through, especially when the cats are visible in the back yard or are eating at their food bowls.
While crawling, he ducks his head down to crawl down under things. When the ground is rough - like cement or twigs, he lifts up his knees and does an army crawl across the uncomfortable terrain.
Wren is quite self reliant for a baby. He does not make a lot of noise unless he is sad or needs something. Usually he moves around the living room and kitchen touching things on the floor, picking them up and biting them. He likes to hold large things in his mouth while he crawls. Alternatively, he carries them around in one hand while he crawls.
He does not stand independently, yet, but has started to "hover" without holding on after he lets go something he pulled up on. He can do this for 3 or more seconds before sitting down. I am not encouraging him. When he has pulled up on something low, he "cruises" sideways along it until he reaches something else of interest.
Communicating
Wren does not say any words but he likes to copy noises and movements. One of his favorite games is shaking his head side to side. I do the same and say "no no no" and then nod and say "yes yes yes". He shakes his head back with a huge toothy smile of pleasure.
We also have click conversations. He starts clicking his tongue then stops and looks at me. I click my tongue. He clicks and watches me. I watch him and click. We are both smiling.
The closest he comes to a word is saying a rough SHHHSHSH when I say "fishies". He has done this a few times and I think he gets the idea of saying the word but can't annunciate it fully.
Although he doesn't speak he understands some words clearly. If I say "where are the fishies?" he looks at the fish mobile. If I ask "Where is the ball?" he looks for the ball. If I ask "kitty?" he looks around for kitty. He also knows about Crows and birdies when we are going walking. When I say birdies he looks up. He is fascinated by crows and kitties on our morning walks.
.... to be continued along with a video of Wren playing the Glockenspiel.
Wren's Personality
Wren is a fairly solemn little guy who smiles and laughs with people he knows but takes a while to warm up to strangers. When he meets a new person he simply stares unabashedly for A-G-E-S without expression. Once he knows you he likes to play games and gets excited when you talk to him.
Wren has a strong sense of what he wants: if you take away a toy he shouts and cries and screws up his face. At Mom and Tot yoga he clung to his toy despite attempts by toddlers to pull it away from him.
Wren and Frost
He loves Frost and will crane and stare and smile and become animated when Frost returns home. When we return from our morning walk he stares still and intent at the door at the top of the stairs because Frost often opens it and says "Good Morning" if he has woken while we were out.
Frost loves Wren but tends to overwhelm Wren with hugs and tries to carry him around. to save him from perceived danger. Frost is very anxious about Wren putting things in his mouth and choking so he spends a lot of time shrieking warnings and carrying Wren or toys to keep them apart. Today he asked me "how big the pipe" was that Wren breathes through. He was worried he might choke on fennel flowers.
He plays with Wren, rolling the ball to him, and does "shows" for Wren in which he leaps and rolls and jumps on the bed while Wren hoots appreciation and is nearly flattened by crooked jumps.
For all his love, Frost finds Wren a bit of a bother at times - he now has to keep his bedroom door closed and misses the long uninterrupted games we used to play.
Moving
Wren can crawl very well. Although he seldom goes up stairs he can do it. He can slide off a bed backwards but has not learned to go "feet first" off high things. Instead he does head first plunges if he is not caught and rotated. I manage to catch him most of the time.
Wren likes to stand up. Whenever he comes to a vertical surface, even a smooth one, he leans his hands against it and stands up. Once up he thumps it with his hand. He likes to stand at the gates and look through, especially when the cats are visible in the back yard or are eating at their food bowls.
While crawling, he ducks his head down to crawl down under things. When the ground is rough - like cement or twigs, he lifts up his knees and does an army crawl across the uncomfortable terrain.
Wren is quite self reliant for a baby. He does not make a lot of noise unless he is sad or needs something. Usually he moves around the living room and kitchen touching things on the floor, picking them up and biting them. He likes to hold large things in his mouth while he crawls. Alternatively, he carries them around in one hand while he crawls.
He does not stand independently, yet, but has started to "hover" without holding on after he lets go something he pulled up on. He can do this for 3 or more seconds before sitting down. I am not encouraging him. When he has pulled up on something low, he "cruises" sideways along it until he reaches something else of interest.
Communicating
Wren does not say any words but he likes to copy noises and movements. One of his favorite games is shaking his head side to side. I do the same and say "no no no" and then nod and say "yes yes yes". He shakes his head back with a huge toothy smile of pleasure.
We also have click conversations. He starts clicking his tongue then stops and looks at me. I click my tongue. He clicks and watches me. I watch him and click. We are both smiling.
The closest he comes to a word is saying a rough SHHHSHSH when I say "fishies". He has done this a few times and I think he gets the idea of saying the word but can't annunciate it fully.
Although he doesn't speak he understands some words clearly. If I say "where are the fishies?" he looks at the fish mobile. If I ask "Where is the ball?" he looks for the ball. If I ask "kitty?" he looks around for kitty. He also knows about Crows and birdies when we are going walking. When I say birdies he looks up. He is fascinated by crows and kitties on our morning walks.
.... to be continued along with a video of Wren playing the Glockenspiel.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
I love him so much
Wren and I picked up Frost after school this afternoon. Frost was very happy to see Wren and smothered him in kisses.
He said (looking a bit coy) "You know, in gathering I started almost crying because I missed Wren so much and I wanted to be with him."
This is what the babysitter did to Wren. I have never seen him sleep on the floor before (poor sausage):
He said (looking a bit coy) "You know, in gathering I started almost crying because I missed Wren so much and I wanted to be with him."
This is what the babysitter did to Wren. I have never seen him sleep on the floor before (poor sausage):
A bit sickie
Wren had a good night of sleep last night but this morning, while with Brandi the babysitter, he fell asleep on the carpet. He felt a bit warm so I took his temperature which was 100. I don't think he is very ill but seems to be coming down iwth or fighting a virus.
I checked his mouth for teeth but instead noticed he has those white patches back. I managed to get an immediate appointment with the pediatrician (they had a cancellation) and it is indeed thrush. Wren now has medicine to be applied orally and on the inside of his cheeks 4X per day. He likes the flavor of the medicine but not the gauze wipe and rub that precedes it.
I managed to pick the quince on our morning walk. They were falling on the ground around the tree. I have 12 quince and am planning on making spanish quince paste to have with cheese as well as some poached quince. None of the baby books recommend quince as an early food but I am going to offer Wren some and see what he thinks.
I checked his mouth for teeth but instead noticed he has those white patches back. I managed to get an immediate appointment with the pediatrician (they had a cancellation) and it is indeed thrush. Wren now has medicine to be applied orally and on the inside of his cheeks 4X per day. He likes the flavor of the medicine but not the gauze wipe and rub that precedes it.
I managed to pick the quince on our morning walk. They were falling on the ground around the tree. I have 12 quince and am planning on making spanish quince paste to have with cheese as well as some poached quince. None of the baby books recommend quince as an early food but I am going to offer Wren some and see what he thinks.
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