doctor's appointment update.

So, I know some of you have been asking how the doctor's visit went, sorry I haven't posted sooner.

*another new pediatrician*

We met our new pediatrician, dr. p (same practice as Dr. Ros, the one that told me it was okay to keep breastfeeding). He was great, like a walking encyclopedia. He just seemed so full of knowledge, it was nice to feel like he knew exactly what he was talking about. He spent an entire 45 mins with us asking a bunch of questions and giving me a lot of information. That was really nice to feel like he was truly trying to help and figure out the best course of action for Norah.

*poopy story warning and update*

So, we didn't do a new f.o.b test yet because she hadn't pooped that day and Dr. P. didn't want to stick a swab up her already irritated rear. So he sent me home with 2 test cards and I have to smear them with her poop and then bring them back into the pediatricians office next week. They will then test them to see if there is any blood in it, or it has cleared up. I'm super eager to see if it's clear or not.

*To be fussy, or not to be.*

We think she's been doing better overall, she seems less fussy than before I went off soy. She still has her fussy period, early evenings, but overall it's more predictable. I brought up the fussiness with other people with Dr. P and he thinks this is totally normal and expected at this age and even more so with a child that has had some pain. Unfortunately this will probably only get worse over the next few months to a year. I am going to strive to find a balance between getting her used to other people, but not getting her more afraid or stressed out during this period of figuring out the whole dietary issue.

*the dairy and soy diaries*

So I am now completely off of all dairy and soy. It is truly incredible how many things dairy and especially soy are in. Look on the back of nearly any box in your pantry and you will see soy in some shape or form. Last week I even realized our vitamin c tablets contain milk and soy, vitamin c, seriously?! It hasn't been that hard to eat dairy/soy free at home. It's just harder at people's houses or at restaurants. My newest and favorite treat I can have is chocolate coconut milk icecream, it actually tastes like chocolate and it's fabulously yummy! Today might be tough being Halloween and all, considering there isn't a single candy I can eat that I've found yet, but I'm just not going to have it at our house, so it won't be bad. (Sorry to all the cute trick or treaters in my neighborhood!)

*Sleep*

I settled on a sleep plan book. Good Night, Sleep Tight; the sleep lady by Kim West. It was recommended by a couple of friends and seemed doable to me. I got it earlier this week and have read it twice. There are a lot of things we are going to start implementing with Norah's sleep, but just a bit at a time, and nothing major right now considering in 3 weeks we are going to be staying at Ryan's parents house for thanksgiving and this really throws off all the "sleep coaching" we will do. (according to the book and numerous mommies I've talked to)

One revelation we've had about sleep after talking to Dr. P and reading this book is that some of Norah's fussiness, fidgetyness (nice word huh!) and discontent may very well be from lack of sleep, and/or lack of quality sleep. The average amount of sleep for a 4 month old should be at least 10 hours at night and around 5 hours of napping during the day.

I could write for days on this subject and bore you all, but I won't. I will say that our sleep goals are by 6 months to have Norah....

1. Sleeping in her own room in her crib through the night.
2. Only eating once at the most in the night.
3. Not taking a paci to bed.
4. Able to put herself to sleep rather than needing to be nursed or rocked each time. (This will by far be the hardest!

I will have more pics soon, unfortunately I've posted so many lately that I don't have many new ones, but I know you all wanted an update from the doc, so I had to post!