6 Months Old!

My sweet little boy is 6 months old today! Oh my gosh!

Poor little Joey. The past four nights he has woken up screaming in terror. It has been shocking and what’s worse is that he cannot be consoled. This is heart wrenching! I rock him and sing to him…doesn’t work. I give him kisses that he normally loves…doesn’t work. I put him in his swing, strap him in, start it, give it a push, stare at him holding my breath. “Please work, please work, oh God, please work!” Doesn’t work. Unstrap the baby, pick him up, hold him close, “oh sweetie, I’m so sorry!” I sing to him over and over.

We try the bouncy seat, maybe the vibration will help. Put him in, strap him in, turn on the vibration, turn on the music. Wait, hold my breath…nope. Not working. Oh my gosh! It’s killing me! My poor sweet baby!

Is he hungry? No. Is he scared…doesn’t seem to be. Poopy diaper? No.

So yesterday we had our well-baby appointment and I tell the doctor all about it. He asks…is he drooling a lot? Why, yes he is. Is he putting his hand n his mouth a lot? Why yes. Any low grade fevers? Yes. I’m sure if you are reading this and you have children, you know where this is going.

He’s teething. Darn. Poor baby. It’s supposedly going to be like this until he is two years old. Poor little boy! I did finally (after 2 and ½ hours) find something that helped him. He likes to lay on his tummy on the boppy alternating between gnawing on his hand and the fabric while he leans on me and I pat him on his bottom. And he doesn’t fall asleep during this time, he just likes it. It’s a killer at 1AM but at the same time I think to myself, “there’s no place I’d rather be!”

So here we go…teething time. I’m up for it and I have lots of tricks up my sleeve for this ride…cold things to suck on, washrags, maybe Baby Orajel in the future…I have plenty of ideas because I scoured the internet. Hopefully, I can make this as easy on him as possible.

So his well-baby appointment was interesting. The doctor wants him to start seeing a Pulmonary specialist. Joey has been through the ringer since birth with ventilators and lung issues. I remember when I was told his lung might pop because it was so over-inflated. They had to put him on a special oscillator and because he was fighting it so much, they had to paralyze him for 9 days. It was awful!

And with RSV season coming up, the doctor is very worried. I was unfamiliar with RSV so allow me to explain what I know. Apparently, it’s out and about during the fall and early spring. Most adults can carry it with no symptoms because we have a strong immune system. Babies are very susceptible to it because of their low immune system but preemie babies and especially babies who have ever been on a ventilator are most risk for it.

It is passed from person to person and if a baby gets it, it becomes very difficult to clear up. It can cause pneumonia, lead to further lung issues and hospitalization and eventually, the ventilator again. Our doctor stated specifically that lungs can “pop”. This is very bad news for a preemie baby who suffers from chronic lung disease. He absolutely cannot be anywhere near cigarette smoke or anyone who has been smoking. Apparently, third hand smoke is just as dangerous to Joey, the doctor says.

He will get a shot next month that will help him but I was told that he will need to stay indoors, basically live in a cave during RSV season. This begins in September and ends around March. And it’s important for the caregiver to do the same. I mean, I can go to the grocery store but avoid people and come straight home. No parties. No big get-togethers because remember…adults carry it without any symptoms or symptoms that look like simple allergies.

This is scary. And a little sad. There’s Thanksgiving and Christmas, his first ones. BUT, Joey is the most important thing and it’s Joey that matters and so we will do what is best for Joey! Maybe some small family get-togethers but only under very strict circumstances, doctor’s orders! I don’t want anything to happen to him, especially if I can prevent it and/or help the situation. I only hope everyone understands.

And of course this means no big 1st birthday party (sad face). Sigh…

He’s been congested lately but the doctor says it’s normal for babies. I don’t like it and he definitely hates the nose suction and nose drops (Baby Ayr).

Now that the retinal specialist has released him, we will start seeing the eye doctor for his right eye. It’s probable that he will get little baby eyeglasses soon. Say it with me now, ahhhhh…….

And next month, he will have surgery for his hernia and circumcision. I hate the idea of surgery, it scares me to death and I am very anxious about being back at the hospital. It stirs up such band memories.

Joey is doing great in therapy, he seems to be moving his neck well and holding his head better and better. He is favoring his right side (which is to be expected since he can’t see with his left eye) so we are working on techniques to help that. We lay him on the floor and try to get him to follow a toy with his eye. And I have to hold his head center and then twist it right, then left, then sideways both directions. What’s funny is that when the therapist is working with him, he has no fear and works so hard as if he is showing off. At the pediatrician’s office, he gave him nothing. He was not having it and what Joey wants, Joey gets. Joey is always really good about straightening his legs all the time. But he just would not do it for the doctor.

At the end of the month, he goes back as he will be 7 months old and we will decide if he will start on some solids. Wow! I can’t believe it! He has outgrown all his preemie clothes and barely fits some of his newborn clothes. He is fitting into 3 month clothes and it’s just crazy. He weighs 9 pounds 14.5 ounces. He’s such a big boy!

Poor baby had to get 2 shots and it was awful! He was screaming like crazy, real tears were flowing and the nurse lost the bandaid so she left to get another one and I couldn’t pick him up because he needed another shot! So while he was screaming, he got another shot. He was crying so hard that no sound came out of his little angry face and he was just red and tears were flowing. As soon as that bandaid was on, I scooped him up so fast and held him so tight. I told the nurse that I would leave when I could but I was going to comfort him. I was not going to put him in his carrier in that state and she said it was fine. It took about 10 minutes. I almost started crying myself.

I have decided to start grief therapy. A friend of mine referred me to someone and I got a really good feeling when I called. Instead of a voicemail or answering service like with most therapists, a receptionist answered and she was so kind. I asked her if I could bring Joey if I couldn’t find someone to watch him and she said, “of course!” After I assured her that after a car ride, he usually just slept in his carrier, she said, “well if not, it’s no problem, you can leave him with me out here and I will watch him.” Is that not the nicest ever?!?! Fortunately, my mom is coming that day to watch him so it works out. But it’s comforting to know there are options. I have really been having a hard time lately and I’m hoping this will help. He’s a Christian counselor and has gotten rave reviews from a friend who lost her father.

So this is where we are…sweet Joey is 6 months old today! What a journey he’s had so far! I love him more and more every day and I just cannot believe how big my heart seems to keep on growing!