Challenges

I would be remiss if I didn't spend some time in this baby book of sorts providing the challenges- not just the good smiley times- with this little one.  Myra was such a good baby that we thought all babies must be that good - ha!  At almost exactly 2 weeks old, little Iva decided to take on some colicky traits by crying (screaming) for hours (multiple hours) each day.  This didn't really end until she was about 5ish months old.

I can look back now - almost 6 months later - and say it was some type of stomach / gas / acid reflux issue, but as with most baby-related issues, it's all really a guess.  We tried different formulas and baby Zantac, which didn't really help very much.  We eventually tried probiotics when she was about 2 months old and that was the only thing that reduced the crying, but there was still a lot of crying occurring each day.  Most things I read and talked to the Dr about seemed like it was textbook colic with no exact explanation.  She would mainly scream about an hr after eating, then sleep a few minutes and be restless and a bit cranky before wanting to eat again.  Prime screaming hours where there wasn't much calming was from 7-9pm, but thankfully, this girl would go right to sleep at 9p.  Of course, she wouldn't sleep through the whole night until about 4ish months old, but would only wake up for a bottle at 3am.  

When I see these pictures, I remember this day like it was yesterday.  She had a great morning and was so fun to play with, but the afternoon was just nothing but crying.  Thankfully, she would do pretty well with swaddling pretty tight and shushing, but this girl needed constant holding and attention most of the day.  She's still a pretty good snuggler, but this mama was always pretty worn out by the end of the day.  If I wanted to get anything done - e.g. laundry, bathe Myra or put Myra to bed when daddy wasn't home, she would be in the baby carrier.  She's a bigger baby, so this wasn't easy on my back!

But...again, at 6 months old, she's really my angel baby.  She's very sweet and snuggly and will play by herself for quite a few minutes.  And...she loves watching and laughing at her sister the most!  She also sleeps from about 8pm to 7/7:30am ish!

I have heard this before, but it's pretty true...If she were our first, I am not sure there would be a second child - ha!