I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with little Dale. To be honest, I had a hard time feeling very grateful for him the first four weeks of his life. He has been super fussy, has to be held all the time (literally, if he is awake and I put him down - whether in a bouncer, swing, floor, etc. he is crying within two minutes), and the longest stretch of sleep he has given me in his five weeks here is FOUR hours, and he has only done that three times. I've spent probably $150 on doctor visits and a prescription for reflux medicine (which didn't end up helping), chiropractor visits, homeopathic remedies (colic tablets, probiotics, chamomilla, mylicon drops), different holds/sleeping positions, etc. all in an effort to find a way to comfort him. He has EXHAUSTED me to my limits, and it hasn't helped that I've been doing it all myself for the last three weeks since Justin reported to basic training in Georgia.

In the last week Dale has calmed down quite a bit, though he still has his episodes when he is impossible and refuses to be comforted until he finally just falls asleep. Sad to say, but during this time the main thing that helped me feel any appreciation for him was reading the blogs of mothers who have lost children. THEN I appreciated that Dale was at least here with me, fussy or not, and I get to be his mommy and watch him grow.

FINALLY things are changing, and in the past week as he has calmed down he also began flashing me cute little smiles randomly along with the occasional giggle, and they melt my heart and I fall more in love with this little man. You can tell he really loves his older sister too because he smiles whenever he hears her voice - he doesn't even do that for me!








Last but not least, THIS is what TIRED looks like.

Comments

Carolyn said…
Oh Audra, how hard that must have been, and I am sure it still is at times. Conner has had the same problems, thought I don't think it has been quite as extreme. And even though my husband is gone quite a bit in the evenings, I have the comfort of knowing he will eventually come home at night. I am glad to hear he is doing better--Conner is doing better as well and we are just hoping he continues to improve. I also felt the same way when COnner started to smile--it's like it was all worth it!
10/09/2009 10:03:00 PM
Audra Owens said…
Carolyn

Thanks for you supporting words. I guess I can be grateful that Justin's training is only 6 months long instead of several years like Jack's calling!
10/10/2009 08:04:00 AM
Krista said…
Oh Audra! Hang in there! I can't imagine how hard it must be! Lack of sleep makes me crazy. Plus, no husband. You are a trooper. Three kids is a lot to handle, and add no sleep on top of that! Wow. I hope things continue to improve. When do you and the kids leave for Georgia?
10/10/2009 08:38:00 AM
Angie said…
How great! I meant to call you today, so I'm glad I saw this blog post that he's doing a little better.
I bet you can't wait to get out there with Justin and I'm sure he's dieing to see all of you!
Is your mom still available to help?
10/10/2009 06:03:00 PM
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