Oddly enough, I just now realized that it has been one month today that LJ joined us at home! In some ways it feels like he has been here forever and in others, it seems like he just got home! It has been a whirlwind of long nights, countless doctors appointments, visits with family and a few friends, and so much love for our new little family. It's hard to remember our lives without him now that he is here.
Our schedules are settling in a bit. I have come to terms with being up through the night, and LJ is actually starting to give in and let me even sleep a little. We are up until he eats at 11, and then we sleep until 2. From 2 until his 5 am feeding are hit and miss...he likes to be awake through that time regularly, but we make up for it throughout the day. We have realized that he cannot cope with quiet...he needs noise to sleep. We have a Sleep Sheep that makes rain noises for 45 minutes at a time...after 45 minutes, he wakes up, cries, I turn it back on, and all is well with the world again. Today we bought a CD player that will provide him with full nights of noise. I sort of like the rain too...maybe I will keep the Sleep Sheep! He sleeps as I vacuum under the crib, and when the dogs bark, and when the TV is on. It was never quiet in the hospital, so he doesn't know silence...works for me. It is rarely silent around here.
The puppies have taken to their new roommate. We all sleep in our room. At first, every time he cried, or I got up, they all got up with us. Now, they ignore us. Occasionally, Tonka (the boxer) will get up with us quietly, come downstairs while I feed him and sleep at my feet. Then he will quietly walk back upstairs with us. Bosco, the German, is having the hardest time because he is Matt's shadow. He is adjusting though...he's never been mean, he just whines. All 4 of the dogs check on LJ first thing in the morning...Costco jumps on our bed to look into the Pack N Play to see if he is there and then gets back off (He knows he isn't allowed on the bed, but I don't have the heart to yell at him because he doesn't try to hang around, he just checks in). Rosco...poor Rosco...he doesn't have a clue what is going on, but he doesn't seem to mind.
On Thursday we went back to the pediatrician to see if there was still blood in LJ's poo after a week on the new formula...there was. He was referred to a GI specialist, who confirmed the dairy allergy on Friday. He said it just takes awhile for it all to get out of his system. I was told that if I wanted to breastfeed again, I had to go completely dairy free...I did it for one day, and decided that at this point, the formula is working, and LJ is feeling better, so I am not going to mess with it. I called the insurance company and originally they told me that they would cover his formula 100%...so excited. Only to be told that they do not cover it for an allergy, only a metabolic something or other...I tried. I have found it much cheaper on Amazon though...just took some looking! Tomorrow LJ goes back in for his monthly Synagis shot...it helps to prevent RSV in preemies. He will have it for the next 4 months at least. Tuesday he has his bi-weekly eye doctor appointment...torture.
Matt's sister, Jenny, has been in town since Tuesday, and we are loving her company. We are pretty boring these days since we can't leave the house, but it is nice to have someone around for the week!
On top of all of this excitement, we are selling the house. With the change in our financial situation, staying here just won't work for much longer. We are sad in many ways...our current neighborhood has wonderful neighbors who have reached out in so many ways, and great activities and amenities for raising children. For me, the 5.5 years I have been here has had it's ups and downs, but the people around us have made it easier. We have had such support, many good times, and I hate that LJ won't grow up around that. It is definately going to be bittersweet, but Matt and I have also been looking forward to a fresh start for a long time, and now we are getting it. Since we got married, we have wanted to purchase a house of our own, but with the housing market and complications with dealing with banks, we have been unable to do anything until now. At this point, we are looking at what is best for our son. If all goes according to plan, we will be moving not long after the first of the year. Trying to show the house with an infant and 4 dogs is an obstacle I can't conquer!
It's been a whole new world...one with changes we didn't really expect, even after we knew we would be having a baby...an early introduction, quitting my job, moving. It has at times been a lot to take in at once, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Every time I see LJ smile (even if everyone else says it's just gas), it makes it all worth it!
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