Barfing Babies

Why is it that babies seem so much more delicate these days? Suburban Turmoil posted about it here. I commented there, but it has come to mind again with my Goddaughter. Last week was pretty frightening for us as we worried that she had Pyloric Stenosis. So far so good for her, the medicine for the acid reflux is working. Yesterday was her Christening and she slept like an angel most of the day.

My daughter was a big time barfer. She barfed on me so many times the first year that I stopped wiping it off. I'd go to work and people would stare. Well intentioned coworkers would point out the vomit on my shoulder and I'd reply, "Oh, just the one shoulder today? Not both?"

I was pregnant with Wonder Boy by the time Super Girl was 14 weeks old. I was tired and vomit covered. I asked the doctor about the vomit on each and every visit. "She is thriving, don't worry about it -- some babies are spitty." I tried not to worry. I kept a bib on her to reduce the number of outfits she wore each day. Bibs were on her at all times. I wondered about these other families who didn't keep bibs on their babies 24/7. Did they enjoy changing outfits hourly at a minimum? Didn't they get tired?

I had my son Wonder Boy a year later and he taught me ALL about projectile vomit. I was also amazed at what filled his diapers. He was the sweetest baby -- then he'd shoot vomit across the room in full movie style glory. His diapers contained smelly runny nuclear waste.

A new pediatrician worked with us and discovered he was lactose intolerant. My barfy one year old baby Super Girl was too. It seems that first doctor was wrong about Super Girl, she wasn't barfy. She suffered from lactose intolerance AND reflux. She had suffered for more than a year. Thanks Dr. #1, I appreciate all of your help (not!). I learned to trust my instincts the next time (and the times after that). Sometimes you know your baby and the doctor who poo poo's your fears is wrong.

Sometimes the first part of motherhood can suck. When baby teaches you what you need to know it gets a lot better. We don't get our babies onto a routine, they train us to their routine. My dear Evil Sister is learning this. My niece is teaching her right now. Perhaps my perfect sister will now understand a little more? I know my sister inlaw gets it. She and I have had great conversations about barfy babies. She is a trooper and I'm so proud of her. With all of the challenges she has faced she continues to have a sunny attitude. I love it that my niece is bringing me closer to my sister inlaw. I'm so happy to have been chosen as a Godmother.

Tonight I babysit for my sister's daughter. I'm hoping this will draw us closer. I'm also hoping my son isn't too disappointed that the judge for tonight's backyard games will be absent. Hopefully he will forgive me. Maybe he can hold the events earlier. (The events are mini competitions between Wonder Boy, Super Girl, and Hubby).

Apparently I need more hours in a day even when I'm not taking a class. I'm so happy I'm not taking any classes right now!!!!