Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tyler: Week 36 (8 Months Old)

February 23-March 1, 2011 (35w-35w6d old)

Tyler Update:

  • He turned 8 months old on February 23!  He adorably stuck his tongue out in every single pic I took.  Here's a few: 


  • He loves actions where we go out of his view and reappear in a different location.  He thinks it's hilarious.
  • He loves door stoppers.  Here's a video of it:


  • We put him in the grocery cart seat for the first time.  He thought it was pretty cool.


  • He's a great little shopping buddy.  He loves walking along the grab bars while mommy tries on clothes.


  • His new favorite thing to do is open doors, over and over again.  He doesn't mess with anything inside (yet!), just opens, sticks his head in to take a peek, closes and repeats.


  • We introduced a new veggie medley, mixed carrots/spinach/broccoli and he loved it!


In other news, our little guy experienced his very first illness this week.  It started off with what seemed like the common cold, just some coughing and sneezing.  After a few days, the congestion came in and the poor little guy had to learn how to breath through his mouth.  He was happy all day but miserable and very needy at night.  I rocked him to sleep at every nap/bed time.  He had no interest in solids and wanted to nurse constantly.  I nursed 14-16x a day.  It didn't matter to him that he had to strain to breath through a congested nose, there was nothing going to stop him from nursing.

After about 5 days of this, it became apparent this was more than a cold as he started sounding wheezy/rumbly, so I made him a doctor appt.  He was diagnosed with RSV and a double ear infection.  I did not expect that.  She said that Nashville is getting hit hard with RSV and believes it could be related to all the flooding we had last year.  He weighed 16 lbs 11oz.

His pediatrician wanted to try an all natural approach before prescribing antibiotics and steroids.  She had me give him oil of garlic ear drops 3x/day, rub oil of oregano on the bottom of his feet 1x/day and dispense colloidal silver by mouth 1x/day.  Ty smelled very Italian.  She had us put a vaporizer in his room and rub baby Vick's on his chest.  She banned me from all dairy for 2 weeks.  She said this would significantly help him because dairy is very phlegm producing and can pass through my milk.  She said if he got worse over the next 2 days, to come in and she'd put him on the antibiotics and steroids.

Let me tell ya, babies and congestion is NOT fun!  They can't blow their nose and won't let you touch their face. Trying to suction him with the bulb syringe was insane.  You fight a screaming, hand flailing baby to get the tip in his nose, let go and it doesn't suction anything out.  You insanely repeat this hoping to help him in the end.  You worry your neighbors may think you're torturing your baby.  I gave up, the bulb syringe is absolutely worthless.

I desperately ordered the NoseFrida.  It is amazing and is a must have for every parent of an infant!!!  It was unreal how much and how well we were able to clear him out.  He screamed bloody murder and it definitely takes two people, but he was so happy and relieved afterwards.

Within 24 hrs, he was so much better.  Within a couple of days, all symptoms were gone.  The natural approach worked beautifully.  I love our pedi!

Here's hoping for another long stretch of perfect health.  Whew, I thought I knew what exhaustion was, but I sure do now!

7 comments:

  1. Good info on the natural approach to his nasty bug!! Kudos to your pediatrician-- they are usually very "antibiotic" happy and over-prescribe... I'll have to remember the different oils. I have the Nose Frieda, too, although we haven't had to use it yet (knock on wood). Glad you are on the mend and surely with spring around the corner, these viruses will GO AWAY!?! We can hope!

    Love the tongue pics. It's funny how they do something constantly for a few days or a week, then they forget about it for a while. Colton was blowing raspberries/spitting for several days, then must've gotten tired of it. He doesn't do it much anymore.

    Can't believe he's 8 months... SLOW DOWN FATHER TIME!!!

    Btw, Colton has almost caught up with Ty in the weight department! We go Fri for his 6 mo check, but I'm sure he's over 16 pounds. :0) My chunky monkey.

    Now that you're all well... skype soon!

    Hugs,
    The Other Jill

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  2. Cute Cute Cute!!! He liked "boiging" the door stop! All those cool toys can't stack up to those awesome door stops! lol I can't believe that he's almost walking, he must be in a hurry to grow up! Grammy says he is very busy-lol-it's funny to hear her tell of her babysitting adventures! Thanks for sharing-he's so adorable, tongue and all! Love u all...Aunt Kook

    P.S.(I decided to return to Aunt Kook-I never have to hear zero say it ever again, so it's okay! lol)

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  3. Sorry you had to deal with a sick baby....my boys haven't had anything serious (thank GOD), some minor colds for the most part and it breaks your heart when they are so congested and can't sleep. Awesome that the "natural" approach worked. We have had GREAT results with just saline spray (no suctioning of any kind), keeping their room moist and regular strength vicks on the bottom of their feet, covered with socks (if they are coughing) and baby vicks on their chest & back.

    I can't believe you found a Ped that takes a "natural" approach...that's great....we've NEVER found one yet:(

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  4. adorable! and looking a lot like his dad if I may say! congrats!

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  5. Lets see this is March 16th which means. OMG he's almost 9 months old. Where does the time go. We'll be doing 1st birthday tomorrow at this rate. He's growing up way too fast. Can't wait to see all of you again soon.
    Love sis

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  6. Your pictures are always so cute! Glad he's a happy shopping companion :)

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  7. Happy 9 months by now, Tyler!
    Lovely pictures, as always.

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Thank you for your comment! Hugs, Kerry and Jill