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My 3 month old baby is a wonderful self soother. She sucks her hands whenever she needs comfort. And while I am very thankful that she has found her own pacifier (my first baby used me as his pacifier), her constant sucking of her hands coupled with the Chicago winter humidity has left her with extremely chapped hands.
I didn’t want to use lotion or even Aquaphor (a favorite for chapped skin anywhere else) for fear the ingestion of the chemicals in these would do harm, so I scoured the internet for another answer. I needed something fast; her hands had started to bleed and I knew she had to be in pain because of it.
I eventually found a post on a discussion board (wish I could remember where – I would give credit) that said to use OLIVE OIL. I had heard that olive oil used to be used to clean babies and was even very helpful in remedying cradle cap, but I hadn’t thought to use it to soothe and heal chapped hands.
I started applying the olive oil to both hands just a few nights ago, and already her hands are MUCH better. The olive oil does go on greasy, but absorbs into the skin in minutes, leaving them much softer. She has even sucked on her hands just a few minutes after application (I do try to keep her hands out of her mouth until it soaks in), and the taste does not seem to bother her.
Thank goodness I kept looking for an answer! I felt so bad for her and didn’t think I could really do anything about it. Who would have thought something as simple as olive oil would have been the answer?
=)
Wow…what a week! In summary, the kids have slept very little and have been very crabby. This has left me very little “me” time or “Mike & me” time and a big headache.
Joshua has been on this nice trend of going to bed a little later (8:30 or 9:00), but sleeping until 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning. This works out great for both Mike and me, as he gets to see the little guy longer after he gets home from work, and I get to sleep in a bit later (I’m usually up with Addy for about an hour around 6:30am, then I go back to sleep). Well, this week Joshua has been having trouble going to sleep. He’s been SCREAMING – first for Daddy then for Mommy and back and forth ’til he’s seen each of us twice and ’til one of us gives him Motrin and a few more hugs – then he finally settles down and goes to sleep. (This in the same week we moved Addy to her new room, directly across from his. Amazingly, she’s slept through this racket three nights running.) The worst of it was Tuesday night, when he didn’t stop his rant until 10:00pm. That night I thought it no big deal; he would just sleep ’til 10:00am the next day or later. Well, come 7:00am Wednesday morning I hear, “Mommy!” as I glided past his door to grab Addy from her room. Ugh…I knew this was going to be a bad day. And it was. It was filled with puffy-eyed tantrums over everything. “Joshua, do you want some juice?” – to which he’d reply, “NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” (head to the ground body writhing).
This alone I probably could’ve handled without going too crazy, but on top of Joshua’s lack of sleep and happiness this week, Addison’s also been on a daytime sleep strike (luckily she sleeps wonderful during the night, only waking 1-2 times in a 10-12 hour stretch). She’ll catnap for about 30 minutes 3 or 4 times during the day, but that’s it. Long gone are the days of months 1 and 2 where she’d sleep all day save 3 or 4 happy fun hours. This means I spend less quality time with Joshua, which I know only fuels his tantrums. Poor kid. I know it must be tough to be two and have your attention from your parents level drop by 75% so quickly. I really do feel for him, but also know that that is life, and many 2 year olds before him have survived this point in their childhood.
That’s what stands out for me in the week related to the kids. We did meet Mike for lunch two days this week and went to Buffalo Wild Wings (who is thriving in this bum market, likely due to our frequent visits). Those were our only two trips out of the house this week. Today, Friday, I’ve decided to keep them in. Joshua is still in crabby mode, and Addison is actually sleeping a lot today.
Fun highlights from the week (I should move this to the top to show that I am a positive person, focusing on the good and not the bad, but the above account was really the brunt of our week) include:
- Joshua’s numerous Matchbox car arrangements. He will sit on the floor ALL DAY and arrange and rearrange his cars. Into a straight line. Into a “V.” Into a “V” with branches. Turn them all upside down. Put them all in their cases. Take them all out again. It is amazing, quiet, and fun to watch. Mike and I try to partake, but often get told to “seat” as he points at the couch. Lol =)
- Addison’s tickly belly and her adorable giggles. I love to brush my fingers over her belly while saying something cute and hear her little giggles. They almost sound like a frustrated “HEHHHHH,” but it is her baby laugh. I seem to remember Joshua’s being similar at first.
- Both kids got mani/pedi’s and Joshua got a haircut (a buzz, with my horribly done sideburns). Amazing that Addy handles the mani/pedi’s no problem and Joshua screams through them.
- Joshua and his “soccabol.” He sounds SO adorable when he says “soccabol” – I have to get it on video. He actually kicks a decent ball, though, and he definitely enjoys himself when we let him kick it around our bedroom.
- Joshua & my dance to Jon Legend’s “Sing a Song” on Sesame Street. I did feel bad last night as the little boy has had a rough week and such a horrible mood, then he struggled with the nail and hair cutting, so after he was all bathed last night and we were waiting for Daddy I turned on one of my favorite Sesame Street songs and danced all crazy with the little guy. He loved it, and so did I. I think we both needed that after our week together.
Well this has actually been a fun log to write. Both kids are napping at the same time (first time this week) and I wanted to take advantage by putting some thoughts of them on virtual paper. Now I may collapse into our comfy couch and fall asleep.
=)
Tonight Addy is spending the night in her own bedroom for the first time. I’m blah.
With Joshua and now with Addy, Mike and I agreed to keep the newborn baby in our room (in their own sleeping area, either the Pack N Play or the swing) for the first few months to facilitate breastfeeding and to allow us to keep in touch with how they are doing. I was very happy we did this with both babies. Joshua was up every 2-3 hours eating, so I was happy to just roll out of bed, grab him, and hop in my chair to feed him. Addison has not needed to eat as often, but she had a couple of choking episodes in her first weeks that I was glad I was near to her to help her clear. But now she’s 2 1/2 months old and only waking once in the middle of the night to eat, and we have agreed that we’re ready for her to have her own space. Or more accurately, for us to reclaim our space.
I moved her things into her room this evening. It looks cute enough, with just her Pack N Play, my chair/ottoman, and a dresser. But our room…..ugh…..looks sadly empty. I remember this being a tough night with Joshua, when we spent the night alone for the first time since having him, and tonight seems as though it will go the same way. I will likely keep the monitor on high volume and go to her room to check on her several times. But, Mike and I will be able to converse in non-whispers and not be self-conscious of our cover shuffling (simply rolling over in bed causes our noisy comforter to crinkle like popping popcorn). That is how it should be.
So off to bed I go, for the first time alone in my bedroom in 2 1/2 months. I’m going to brush my teeth really loud and roll back and forth in bed four times before finally coming to rest. I hope for a good night for us, for Addy and for Joshua.
=)
Update 2/18/09:
Last night went just fine! Mike and I got in some good conversation before bed, a luxury we haven’t had in some time, and Addy only woke up twice to eat. Not bad! I did miss her very much. She just seems too little and helpless to have a big room all to herself, and ours definitely feels emptier without her. But, I’m not willing to do the whole “family bed” or even “family room” thing, so I guess this will have to stick.
=)
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