A Rocky Start

This week was a doozy, my dear! After the soy slip-up, you had blood in your stool on Monday which warranted a pediatrician visit. She told us it was probably from the soy and not to worry if it continued to get better.

Thankfully, it did. The next day we were back for your vaccines, and you seemed to be on the mend—just in time for a couple pricks and a disgusting oral rotavirus vaccine.

Vaccine Reactions

Your initial reactions were within the range of normal. You definitely take after your dad with vaccines, which is to say…not well. You had a fever for two full days, lethargy a few hours after that first dose, and plenty of fussiness.

It reminded me of your newborn days—except now with a bigger you and bigger snuggles. As much as I wish you’d sleep in your bassinet, I do love your snuggles, especially during long naps or when you’re easy to settle. Short naps after long stretches of getting you to sleep, though—that’s rough.

Post-Vaccine Setbacks

By Day 3 post-vaccines, you were still under the weather, but starting to feel better. That is, until the diarrhea kicked in and your reflux flared again. Thursday night was pretty sleepless for both of us.

By Friday, there was blood in your stool again. It was never a lot, but scary nonetheless for a first-time mom. Your regular pediatrician was on leave, so another doctor told us to keep monitoring unless you became extremely fussy, had trouble eating, or began vomiting. She reassured me it was likely lingering soy symptoms, with any vaccine effects clearing in about a week.

A Mixed Weekend

Of course, as soon as the office closed for the long weekend, your fussiness picked up. You became choosy with nursing—only certain positions were tolerated—and eating became more of a struggle. All weekend has been that way, so we’ll be calling first thing Tuesday to see if they can check you. For now, your tummy is soft and you’re not dehydrated, so I’m hoping it isn’t urgent.

Adding to the chaos, your dad wasn’t feeling great Friday either. We ended up sleeping in your future room together. Thankfully, by Saturday he was on the mend.

This weekend was also the first time—maybe since before you were born—that I got out for quick errands on my own. It felt liberating, knowing you had bonding time napping with your father. I dropped off a care package for my friend Heather, who’s expecting a baby girl like you, then went to the grocery store, Starbucks, and Petco at two different outings. We even took you to Chori-Man and Colossus next door. Not far, but enough of an outing to feel like a little adventure. We went on a couple short walks. It felt really good to get out.

Finding Our Rhythm

Despite your fussiness, this weekend was the first time in a while where things felt manageable. I’m grateful the three of us got some real quality time together.

While you slept, Papá and I texted about our earliest memories and what we imagine for you. He asked me what I picture when I think about who you’ll become. Here’s what I told him.

My Hopes for You

You’re observant and smart. You’ll notice people’s habits and be curious about them. You’ll make friends, but treasure just a couple very close ones. You may feel pulled between two countries, but also special for belonging to both.

You’ll be strong and resourceful. You’ll stand your ground for what’s right like the long line of string women you come from. You’ll speak up for others and use your brain for good. You’re a fighter, but you’re also smart. You’ll be resourceful and energy efficient with a work smarter focus.

Youll be inquisitive and you’ll love animals—asking endless questions about what they do, where they live, and what their families are like. You’ll beg us for a dog and maybe even a tadpole to watch grow into a frog. You’ll ask lots of questions like your parents, always curious thirsting for more knowledge.

You’re sensitive, but you’ll appreciate Papá’s humor (and develop your own mix of witty and cheesy). When you’re feeling good, you’ll want to make people laugh. Like me, you’ll be sensitive to light, touch, and sound. Overcrowded places won’t be your favorite. You’ll want to like the mall for your friends’ sake, but the park or ocean will always win out.

You’ll have a thing for textures—my guess is smooth ones. You’ll struggle to hide your emotions, but you’ll also be able to sense others’ feelings before they even realize them.

I picture you with short light brown hair, catching red tones in the sunlight. It says as you run and you pull it into a pony to play soccer. You’ll love being active, likely sports, but also be curious about the spectrum of active hobbies – maybe you’ll take up chess or dance or robotics.

Looking Ahead

I’m excited for the day your reflux/intolerances are behind us, when you feel good, sleep well, and can tell us exactly what’s going on. At least for the reflux and digestive issues, I think that day is coming soon—I’ve heard it gets better with time. Still, we may schedule a pediatric GI appointment just to be safe.

Tata for now!