A Breath of Fresh Air!

The hives persisted on still without a known cause. Saturday (Day 6 of hives) Gio was sluggish so we went out for a quick walk around the neighborhood in the morning and hungout at home. Hives were coming and going. I called my NP and she said to continue the Benadryl. Well Mommy was going out for Melissa's Bachelorette party, while Daddy and Gio partied at home. I had a great time with the girls, but I kept checking my phone to see if Daddy called and to make sure Gio was ok (a hard habit to break =p). When I got home I showered because I smelled like smoke since Sugarland still allows smoking in the bars. I finally got into bed waiting for Gio to wake up and nurse like he usually does, but nothing, he didnt wake up till 4ish am. Unusual but Sunday we woke up to happy Gio. We laid in bed chilling then upon further cuddling I realized Gio was really warm...too warm. Took his temp and sure enough it was 100.2. He stayed warm throughout the day but his demeanor hadn't changed. Daddy went to go watch the game with Uncle Toan, while I chilled with Gio. Sunday night Gio was so bummed out, he would sleep and wake up crying, it was a rough nite. Monday he woke up warm and we went straight to the Pediatrician. He was examined and of course the hives were in the down time and fever..what fever his temp was 98.5. The NP perscribed Zantac, yes the GERD medicine but it has a anti-histamine that would be used with Benadryl as well to keep the hives down. She said that Uticaria (hives) could last up to 6 months in some people. She perscribed the Zantac for a month. The fever she said was probably unrelated, viral or teething. I listened at this point a week of hives, lack of sleep and a sad Gio I was open for anything. We get home and Gio's temp shoots up to 102.1 as well as the hives, by 4 pm Gio is really hot and crying nonstop. I call the Pedi he said well why don't you use Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and some Motrin (Ibuprofen). Well why didn't you tell me this earlier? He said obviously this isn't teething, this must be viral. Really you think? So off I go to buy some more drugs I finally give Gio some Ibuprofen 45 min later after getting really hot he finally cracks a smile. Yea my lil one is back! He goes to sleep finally and then wakes up crying...oh no not again. Daddy would put Gio down in deep sleep, he would last 30-45 min then wake up crying and shrieking. It was awful, it was so hard to console. In the morning, my mom was convinced Gio had OJO!!!

I was tired and felt helpless...fever and hives would not go away, I was helpless. Yes this is about Gio, but to be a Mom and not to be able to help your child and to be in the dark as to what is causing all of this, is awful!!!! So when my mom told me to rub Gio down with an egg, sure why not, doesn't hurt. Then I was lectured on how Gio should be wearing red at all times to ward off the deadly curse of OJO. I was annoyed but some Hispanic folklore sometimes happens to be true, coincidence maybe more than likely, who knows. What does it hurt to have an egg rubbed on him to ward off bad spirits. You crack the egg in a cup of water and see if red appears or if it cooks then he definately had OJO. She cracked the egg and sure enough Gio had OJO, don't you see it Tanya? Me...yea sure. Mom: This fever and hives will not go away until we get rid of the OJO. Me..ok. So anyways Gio is warm on tuesday give him more meds at this point we were doing a combo of acetaminophen and ibuprofen he would have one or the other every 3 hours, he was so mad when i would come with the meds. I also called a new Pedi that is located 50 min away in the Woodlands, she is more holistic in her treatments. Listen l have learned to appreciate my NP and Pedi but I was not going to put my baby on some blanket medication that was going to bring down the symptoms but not solve the cause. Yes sometimes this works sometimes it doesn't, but thats why you have the choice to get a second opinion. FYI during all this time I was also using Homeopaths as well but it was just out of control, Gio also threw up twice when giving meds and once on his own. Tuesday nite Gio was fussy, I was badcop because I gave him the meds and he didnt want anything to do with me, not to hold or feed him. It was rough. Wednesday morning he was exhausted because we had another crying nite, he wasn't feverish but he wasn't his normal yet, some hives were apparent on his face. I had to wake him because we had the appointment, he cried but calmed down while I talked to him. We waited an hour for Dr. Stowe, I gave her the rundown. She opted for some blood testing a CBC, ESR and Allergy Profile. She also recommended for us to stop all solids and all medicines until further notice. if fever continued and if i had to give him something i needed to find something that was dye free. Prior to this he was down to just cereal because he refused to eat anything other than his breastmilk, but since we left early he didn't get any cereal just milk. We went over to the hospital to get the bloodwork done and of course Gio cried before they even took the blood because I had to restrain him. He was so mad about being restrained poor thing, he didn't even see it coming. He was sitting there playing while the MA's looked for his veins, they had difficulty because of his chunkiness, I smiled and told them you get one chance so make it work. They told me to restrain him, while they took enough blood for 3 tubes. They got in on the first time, thankfully. We made it home and chilled the rest of the day, fever was gone and hives were going down. Gio took a 3 hour nap and slept great Wednesday nite.

Today, Thursday, I woke up to a cheesy Gio and guess what NO HIVES, NO FEVER!!!! We played and it hit me...I called my mom and said when did you open that new container of cereal, she said Monday. Monday the day the hives started. What the what? She had mentioned that it could possibly be the cereal but since he has had the same brand for the past month and a half, why question it now? Well this was the third container we have used, it must be the container or the product must be contaminated. I looked for a contact number, nothing, Looked online...only email addresses. Called Whole Foods for possible vendor number, nothing so far. So I emailed them and immediately got a response with a number, we will be chatting shortly. OMG!!! A possible cause to the hives finally! Went to work, came back to find a hive-fever free Gio. We went for a walk to get a breath of fresh air finally after being cooped up in the house. Hell I thought he was allergic to the air at one point or to me. I was causing the hives in something I ate. I talked to the Pedi about possibly being my breastmilk,she shot me down quick, thankfully my mother was there to listen. She said that yes what I eat can effect the baby, but it just doesn't go in my mouth and straight out of my breast, its in very small quantities and that breastmilk has way more good than bad in it to be causing the hives. Phew! Another breath of fresh air. I really was doubting myself. The pedi was concerned about the fever, but thats why we did tests. Gio hasn't had fever since Tuesday evening so probably could have been viral but from where who knows. Pedi said we had to have some symptoms and then passed it on to him, because babies are so sensitive. The whole house is clear of disease, thankfully! Talked to my friend Jenn who told me her daughter Kensley would wake up crying and shrieking as well when her molars started to cut. Jeez, she could be right, thankfully Gio hasn't run any fevers previously due to teething, but molars could have been the cause, he has been sucking on his index finger which he sticks all the way in the back of his mouth.

Tonight i also put Gio down at 7, Victory and so far he is sleeping. Hey one good step in a right direction. Jeez and I thought Sleep issues were a big issue, who the hell cares as long as my baby is hive and fever free, I am celebrating!!!! Hopefully tomorrow I will get the blood test results. She said she would get them in 24 hours and since I have not received a call, things must be good. I will also call Happy Bellies to talk about possible cereal allergy issues. Everyone pushed solids at 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, finally at 7 I gave in and started with cereal and then veggies, we were doing good, but until further notice we are going back to full Breast milk. Lucy came over to visit today and to check on Gio and asked "when are you going to stop" I told her possibly at 2, she looked at Gio and said your Momma must really love you, because that's a long time. She is right, I do love him, but it's what I believe is best for him. When I tell most people that I plan on feeding till 2, they look at me like I am crazy. I just don't get it, why is it ok or better said acceptable in the USA to BF till a baby is one but not two? The World Health Organization states "Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond." If Gio weans himself earlier than so be it, but if not 2 it is. It's hard work, especially when my supply goes down, but its about supply and demand and Baby G is making sure to keep the supply up with his demanding lil chomper. =p

The new pedi asked is his daddy big, I said excuse me, she said well he is a big boy, he is off the charts on growth and weight, I laughed I said No Mam, his dad is shorter than me, but my family is tall on my dad's side. She said well he is just perfect, you are doing a great job, he is healthy and gorgeous! She more than likely says that too every Mother who walks though her doors, but you know what, I needed it.



Love you lil pumpkin!!!


World Health Organization-Breastfeeding
http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/

8 Months+Hives

Yea Gio you are 8 Months! Woohoo my lil one you are 3/4 close to being 1, crazy!!!

Unfortunately you also got hives, BOO! Saturday we went over to Mary and Bo's House because it was your buddy Emma's 1st birthday party. You had a great time playing with all the toys and became fascinated with a blue balloon. We then got stuck in traffic on our way home so we stopped by Baybrook Mall and walked around. I fed you your squash and do remember giving you some honeydew at the party, about a 1/2 teaspoon amount. Sunday we chilled at the house and then drove around looking for some available apartments. Lunchtime we stopped over at Central Market bought some groceries and picked up some salads and soup. Mommy fed you some of my tomato bisque and avocodos. You enjoyed your meal and then we came home to chill and play. Monday morning you woke up happy and played with mommy until I had to go to work. When I returned from work I noticed 3 red spots on your face, they looked like mosquito bites but not quite. Upon further inspection I noticed they were all over your body. I called the Pedi..allergic reaction. But to what? Allergic reaction to food would happen within 30 min to an hour. Hives can occur due to food, allergens in the air, change in temperature, illness or drugs. Talked to grams she took you out to the patio/backyard like she does daily, you had cereal and milk, then the spots started around noon. I asked the pedi if the tomato bisque could have been it, she said more than likely not. We ruled out clothing. What is it? So she perscribed Benadryl 1 tsp every 6 hours and Hydrocortisone cream 1%. I did the benadryl but used another lotion on you that I have previously used. The hives got worse, Gio's skin looked horrible. Thankfully Gio has not had any changes in behavior or sleep. His runny nose that he had previously gone. If it's not one thing it is another. So we have been doing Benadryl and Hydrocortisone and on Wednesday things were clearning. Thursday Gio wakes up and spots reappear on his face...evening all over his body same thing Friday. Called Pedi again, continue with Benadryl for upto 2 weeks and cream. Poor Gio. I hope he is not hurting or bothered. It bothers me so much to see his skin with red wheals. We have been doing oatmeal baths and trying to keep him clear of things. I am trying to clean my diet so that I am not putting anymore toxins into his body! Love you Baby G!

This too shall past...

Sleeping, what sleeping?

I started Monday at 7pm. Gio ate his solids, gave him a bath, massage, he was rubbing his eyes, pjs on quick, he fed and fell asleep. I put him in his crib and all was well until 750. Wake up crying not a little but I'm alone pick me up before I pass out crying. Calm him down back in his crib he goes, 9pm, 10 pm same thing, finally feed again and finally sleeps till 12 and then daddy rocks, he feeds at 2am, his crying is uncontrollable and then he all of a sudden can no longer support being in the crib. So in the bed he goes. Tuesday same process over again. Wednesday gio has cribitis, he is fast asleep and the minute a piece of him touches the crib he screams and crys. I lift him out and he sighs a huge breath of relief (I am not exaggerating) and goes back to sleep. Hold him a little longer and try again....crying non stop. This goes on till about 10 when dad gets home takes over, 5 min later asleep in his crib, still waking up every hour till about 12 then sleeps 2 hrs, wakes up sleeps 2 hrs till 7. Thursday night Gio wakes up early from his last nap so I let him play, I quickly eat dinner, time for an evening stroll, we get 4 houses down I see possible dozing occurring so I quickly turn back, bath time, feed and asleep he is woohoo! 730pm. I am beside myself, so I update some pics on FB, put his diapers to wash, about to drink some tea while catching up with Christine on the phone, I hear Gio cry (8:15pm) I wait, crying turns into all out disaster, hangup and start consoling him. I get him back to bed and he awakes in tears the minute I put him down. This goes on till about 1015, when dad gets home. Throughout that I probably let him cry for 3-5min intervals because I needed a break, refresh myself and start all over. In those 3-5 minutes he coughed and choked and went into hysterics, yea an hour or more of that I probably can't do. I think during one of those stints I sat next to his crib and talked to him while he cried, the coughing and choking got worse, the crying intensified and then I couldnt take it anymore. I sat in my bed with him in my lap and let him fight it through, I stayed quiet, he was smiling with tears in his eyes and snot coming down his nose. He looked into my eyes and smiled. I felt awful because I couldn't smile back, I was exhausted and my patience was thin and so I just needed to stay quiet. Finally I lay Gio next to me in the bed he started to cry, I massaged his head and shooshed him while he cried and he finally fell asleep. I moved away and he woke up, so I started all over and this time he stayed sleeping at 1015 when dad finally got home. Luan said lets just keep him in bed. I said nope transfer him over to the crib, but he is so peaceful. I told Daddy consistency! The nite persisted the same way. I was exhausted. Friday nites I work the late shift with Luan, so my mom took over. Of course he had no problems, but she plays and wears him out till about 9 and he finally falls asleep at 930. Wonderful, thats awesome, but Gio is used to getting tired and instead of taking que of sleep he fights it until he can no longer stand it and then needs to be consoled to bed. I am trying to get him to go to sleep earlier. Thankfully I get off of work at 2 so I still can enjoy some time with him, otherwise I would get home at 6 and then try to put him down at 7, no us time until the weekend.

So I read the Baby Whisperer, Sears, summarized Ferber, the NoCry Method and also some Weissbluth. I stayed away from Babywise. I called my Pedi for advice, the NP told me to CIO. She said he was big enough that if he did choke or vomit he can overcome it and wouldn't suffocate. Thanks very helpful. She said this is about you not wanting him to cry and that bond of feeding. Maybe she is right, but where does vomiting, crying and choking part of peaceful sleep. Whatever happens my main goal is for Gio to sleep a good 6 hr stretch so that he can rest and with time to stretch that out. I don't get why crying yourself to sleep are good healthy habits. I studied in school like everyone else, I am part of the group of Moms who study and research things for their children. When my NP said there are studies saying CIO is healthy and blah blah. I told her there are also studies proving otherwise. Everyone stands by the study that helps support their choice. She said I have not seen any. There might be some studies in the mail for her in the near future. I am just saying...if we are going to throw research papers around, well lets get both sides. When infants cry certain changes have been documented as increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced oxygen level, elevated cerebral blood pressure, depleted energy reserves and oxygen, interrupted mother-infant interaction, brain injury, and cardiac dysfunction. (http://yourparentingsolutions.com/ages-stages/newborns/case-against-ferber-sleep) (I will have to post the real study later) Whether I believe this or not, it can happen and it might not happen. All I know when I cry for long periods of times, which I have who hasn't, or cry the ugly cry where I can't breathe, my head hurts, I get dehydrated, I get dizzy, I get nauseous, hell I choke sometimes. I am not talking about a tearjerker movie cry, serious crying. So back to my first rambling, whether CIO works or not, its not about the loss of Mother-Infant interaction, its the why would I want to enforce crying to sleep as a habit, where does that induce restful sleep? I have friends and everyone and their Momma telling me it works, awesome I am very happy for you, I just haven't gotten there yet and you know let's be honest its very tempting, Oh it is, trust me. During one of his crying stints I texted Luan in frustration "i am just going to let him cry till you get here" I didn't. As frustrated as I am, it frustrates me even more that he is not resting and if thats because I keep picking him up then so be it. Gio and I will be in harmony soon enough, maybe a month from now, maybe when he is 18, so be it. =p According to some books I am accidental parenting and enforcing bad behavior, in other books I am enforcing a bond and creating a strong future adult. See I told you there are books etc to support every behavior. I read these books to torment myself sometimes but at the end of the day I believe I am doing what is best for my son and that is all that matters, whether Billy bob or sue ann out there agree with me, who knows? who really cares?

I just finished watching Babies the movie. Amazing, put things in perspective and clarified alot. We will figure it out one day. Gio will not always be a baby and he will eventually sleep on his own. Luan talks alot of course, he says lets try CIO, I told him sure, Ill be away for the wknd you do it and Ill just deliver some milk, call me when its over. We are talking while Gio is cuddling with us, he looks at Gio, looks at me, and then says yea I can't. We are both big sissies. Hahaha and that's fine with us. Luan and I both slept with our parents till we decided to get out or who knows. It worked for them, it has to work for ous eventually, I am just enforcing some crib time. Well get sleep eventually, which actually we are compared to the last month where Gio thought I was an all-nite buffett, so some improvement. Yea Gio!

We are thankful for a healthy, happy, gorogeous baby boy! We love you Gio!

7.5 Months

I detest teeth! I understand the need for them, I have always appreciated them, but I hate the process. Who knew? So as of last update Gio had 6 teeth and now a stubborn 7th tooth is trying to cut. What does that mean? Ever since these little teeth have come into our family they have totally transformed my little man. Also with the different milestones that he has achieved, when they happened I do not remember but they include: full control of rolling over back and forth, sitting up, pulling himself up, lunging forward, he is crawling backwards, hasn't mastered crawling forward just yet. We have also introduced cereal, avocados, peas and green beans. He somestimes gets a taste of our smoothies or gelato in which case he makes the bitterbeer face, so cute! We can't get enough of it, wish we had that same reaction to sweets so I could be super healthy haha! Anywhoo all these new milestones and stubborn 7th tooth has made Gio very clingy, moody and stubborn when it comes to sleeping. He has learned to shriek at the top of his lungs when things are taken out of his sight or if he is stuck in a position and can't manage his way out. Daddy and Mommy find ways to distract him but everyone else gives into him and he ends up with what he wants. Daddy and Mommy are so grateful that we do not have to put Gio in daycare and that he is well taken care of, but it can put a damper in the way you want to raise or enstill certain habits or structure. At the end of the day we are very blessed with a happy healthy child, but the shrieking and trouble sleeping is getting out of control.

So last night in an attempt to put Gio down in his crib, by the way it takes me 1.5 hr to put him down, he wakes up 45 minutes later to screaming, I go to calm him down and its up and down like every 20-30 min. Needless to say nobody got any sleep and it doesnt help to hear unwanted negative feedback in the morning. I have a routine with Gio: Eat, Play, Bath, Massage, Bedtime Book, Eat again if he wants and we rock to bed and he is asleep in about 15-20 min. Somewhere in that 20 min gap he jolts himself awake and when that happens, no consoling, rocking or feeding will get him to calm down. Also bath time has been our routine for months but his grams changed it to a daytime activity. We are trying to nip this in the butt quick, but honestly a clean baby is a clean baby, we should be thankful, but sometimes things get out of control and ppl need to realize certain boundaries...just saying. (Ppl Im exhausted and trying to fight off a sore throat)

When Daddy got home from work last nite, Mommy tagged out and it was his turn with Gio. Lately Gio can be consoled by everyone but Mommy, especially Daddy. I am struggling with him and then Dad holds him and he is off to dreamland, its been infuriating but hey if it works, go for it. Makes me feel useless except for the whole milk factory but you know...=)Well Daddy's big loving arms didn't help, Gio would be in a nice slumber and off to dreamland and then it would start all over again, he jolts himself out of sleep. Well we worked really hard, till about 245 AM, then I finally gave in and feed him to sleep. Needless to say we heard knocking on our door from concerned Grandma, but they were ignored. Gio finally slept a full hour and then we were at it again. He finally woke up at 630 and was fighting sleep until I went to work at 930. i called my mommy friend Mary, she practices AP, and got awesome support and encouragement. 7.5 months of exhaustion and drama have caught up to me. Im frazzled dazzled!

I was told that he fell asleep at 11 and slept for 3 hours all by himself in his crib, no problems. Gio!!! For the past month and a half. He starts in crib, we feed, back in crib and then finally he stays in bed in which he feeds all night, but in actuality he is just pacifying. I didn't mind except for the fact that Gio needs to sleep a good 6 hour block by himself and Mommy is not sleeping at all. I need to be sane and healthy for myself so that I can provide for Gio and everyone else. So tonight we are starting over. Wish us luck!

Week 27-28

What did we do??

1. Went to dallas for a mini reunion with Leslie, Kristina, Christen, Kim, Vi, Young and Michelle N. Gio met his future buddies Addison Chau and Noah Rapsawich. It was so surreal to see everyone almost 3 years after graduation and to have our little ones with us. Poor Gio was having a hard time but well get to that in a minute. We all gathered at Thai Coconut Grill in Carrollton, very yummy. Then Leslie and I headed over to Kristina and Christen's and hanged out some more. Time went by so fast when you are having fun and it was time for us to get back on the road to Houston before Daddy fell asleep. Kristina later texted that she didnt know how much she missed us till we finally saw each other again and I totally agree. We caught up as if we were back in school except for the obvious elephants in the room..Noah and Giovanni who were either sleeping, eating or playing. lol! Miss you ladies!

2. Gio was having a rough day due to the addition of his new bicuspids! Yes ppl 2 more teeth. He was very fussy all Sat night and was constantly needy and feeding. Daddy was trying to rock Gio to sleep and as Gio yawned daddy saw two new teeth right next to his central incisors. Aww poor Gio! So we got up and decided to take Gio on a walk to distract him. Since we were walking, we decided, well why not pick up some Donuts for everyone! As long as its for everyone and we walk there, then we are not doing so bad. lol! We were staying with Godfather (Gramps) Jeremy and auntie Michelle. We called auntie Lindsay to come on over. Gramps finally woke up and joined us.

3. We went to the pool again with Gramps and Auntie Lindsay, where "someone" said F the police as we waded in the kiddie pool. Love it! Never a boring moment with those two. Gio loves being in their company.

4. I have made a conclusion that every time we travel, two teeth erupt so therefore no more traveling....who am i kidding, but seriously this little man is going to have a full grill before he is one. lol.

5. Fussiness continued all throughout the week. We did the best we could to alleviate his discomfort with cold towels, Hylands teething tablets and gel. But Tuesday night I placed gio on the bed with his toy while i cleared his crib and I heard the worst scream ever from him, he must have lunged after me and then rolled off the bed to get to me. I screamed bloody murder my mom came running in as I scooped Gio up. I feel like the worst mother in the world. Poor Gio clung to me and I had to restrain my anxiety so I could care for him and get a caring but overbearing grandma out of the room. I became doctor for a bit and did neurological testing, checked cranials and body for anything out of the norm. Woke up every 2 hours through out the night to assess his breating and color. Thankfully everything was fine. I am so sorry Gio. I put you far away but Mommy underestimated a little man's need for his momma.

6. We took Gio to Palm Beach at Moody Gardens and also invited BaNoi to tag along. Had a great time although Gio is not yet amused by being wet in his clothes. He took a long nap with BaNoi when he had enough of the water, while Mommy and Daddy lounged about.

7. Friday is our family date night at 2pm. We go to the movies and an early dinner with Gio. We saw Despicable Me. Gio sat right between us and snuggled up. He had to have a hand and foot on each of us. Spoiled rotten and thats how I love it! There was a little vietnamese boy with his dad right behind us and he asked his dad questions all throughout the movie, it was so cute. I told Luan to get ready because that will be him and baby G!

Love you Baby G!