KiKi Update: Sept 09

I keep saying I need to just stop and get some stuff down, and I keep not getting it done.  Story of my life lately.  So while Blue’s Clues is on and both girls are entertained—detained in Kinlee’s case, in the ExerSaucer—I’m going to e-scribble down some items.

General health: She’s been great for all her 7 months, til last week.  If you read the recent posts on my blog this week, you saw that she’s been a crabby mess and more difficult than usual.  The pediatrician said that she has blisters on her throat, something like hand, foot, and mouth, except it’s not on her hands or feet. ??  Anyway, she said there was nothing to do but manage the sore throat that would accompany it.  We saw the dr on day 8 and she said it lasted 5-9 days usually.  That was Monday.  It’s Friday and she’s still not herself. Not eating (solids) well, but she is a tad less fussy.  Maybe it’s on it’s way out.  She’s got a congested nose and upper airway, but that doesn’t seem to bother her too much.  She’s loving very cold milk, so I’m guessing it feels good on her throat. If she’s not better by Monday, we’ll go back and have her throat checked again and get an updated plan.

Sleeping: She had been doing well-ish in the sleep department.  She was going from about 9pm or so to about 5:30am.  But when all this strangeness started the beginning of last week, she began waking 2 or 3 or even 4 times a night.  Not my favorite thing.  The last two nights she’s been better, but I helped by giving her some Benadryl to help with the congestion over night, and the added sleep help, of course.  She’s gone from about 8:30pm til about 4am, then back to sleep and up again at 6:30am for the day.  I’m so jealous of those 10 and 12 hours that some kids are blessing their parents with.  Neither of mine have ever done that.

Eating: Other than her issues with her throat, she’d been doing pretty well.  She’s worked her way through the veggies, except green beans… she is NOT a fan.  We have barely touched on the fruits, and she’s a big fan of some of the other combos in level 2 foods, especially apples and chicken as well as sweet potatoes and turkey.  I want to do more finger foods for her, because she likes to feed herself, but I’m totally at a loss as to what to give her.  I’m hoping to be able to do a little research on that next week.

Milestones: She’s a champ when it comes to strength and motor milestones.  She’s crawling quite fast now, she’s pulling to a stand on the couch (nothing to grip…amazing), and she moves constantly.  This is not my favorite trait of hers, but we’re learning to deal.  It’s exhausting.  She is signing “milk” and working on “more” and “eat.” 

Growth: She has outgrown everything, it seems.  Her 6/9 month sleepers are too short.  Two of her could fit in them for width, but she’s so darn long for her weight.  She came in at 28” at the doctor’s office, only a couple ounces short of 17 lbs.  Her feet are already getting close to needing her size 3 shoes.  (Braska still wears some size 3.)  She’s in a size 3 diaper, same as her sister.  Crazy.

She’s a mommy’s girl, which is flattering, but a bit frustrating also.  Hopefully, her little challenging phase will be balanced by some peaceful phase next.  Delusional? Maybe I am.  She’s been going to the nursery at church for a few weeks, and she seems to do ok, though she does do some crying.  The people in the baby room are just wonderful, so they are very patient with her.

She loves her sister. She wants to be everywhere Braska is, often between Braska and B’s intended toy or book.  She crawls down the hall to Braska’s room to find her when B sneaks away for some peace and quiet.  She’s a much happier baby when Braska is present.

Overall, she’s a keeper, just one that’s going to demand more from us than Braska has.  And that’s ok. She’s her own girl. We just need to adjust in ways we didn’t expect. She’s worth it though.