Strange Machines

For this first time since the first time I nursed Jack, I felt teeth actively but gently grinding into my nipple.

My first thought was, is it time to wean? Then I quickly corrected myself, reminding of my promise to let Jack wean when he is ready (of course I’ll draw the line at 5 years old).

His teeth have been emerging so quickly. The top 4 are already showing and it explains why he was so fussy and upset last night. He’s still drooling like crazy and poos 4-6 times a day (normal pasty poo).

The emergence of multiple teeth is quite normal and definitely the drooling. I remember reading about loose stools but not about multiple poo parties. I have to check that one out.

We had dinner with some relatives in Crystal Jade tonight and Jack had a great time crawling up and down the carpeted floor, enthralling everyone. Yeah his paws got rather black but he was so delighted, doing his circuit and patting his image in the mirror.

After changing his diaper and then swinging him around as he chuckled non-stop, I realised that he has 4 top teeth emerging! That probably explains why he has been fussy, on top of the tummy virus I think I caught from him.

My throat is starting to ache and I’ve been fighting cold-like symptoms for a few days now. Earlier before dinner my tummy started cramping and I knew it was my turn. With poor baby pooing 3x a night and 2x by day, I hope this bug clears up soon with me growing antibodies to feed him now.

Last night Jack woke again for an extended period of time around 4am. He couldn’t fall asleep again despite my efforts. While sitting up after another failed attempt, he began pooing! Another 5am poo. I dragged myself up to change him while he, decidedly in a good mood, began patting his father (yes, he recognises the large log of blanket beside him as Dad).

After a change, he fell back asleep in my arms again to wake late morning with another poo, strangely the same consistency as yesterday’s, which makes me wonder if this night-waking is possibly the result of a tummy bug he picked up. He’s been pooing several times a day and it has made me ponderous.

He’s also been very attached to me in the day, even refusing my Mom. Perhaps, I suspect, it is a combination of both.

Last night Jack and I slept early and if you’ll excuse the pun, he slept like a baby compared to the previous nights when he woke up weeping from the pain of his tooth erupting.

I remember him waking up once and trying to settle again to bed. Another time, this time documented as 455am, he woke up, sat up, and pooed (made the ugh sound with a serious look on his face). I changed his diaper as he cooed contentedly and we both settled back to sleep.

My Mom commented how cheery he was today. She even let him run around naked twice and ride his cousin’s bicycle in his birthday suit. He was so amused and chuckled when I shrieked in delight.

He has pretty much mastered the stairs, speeding up like a bullet whenever he can. We each take turns following him very closely and he has never even faltered.

Since I can remember, he has always been very attached to my brother. Maybe it is the family smell or the fact my brother always makes funny faces at him, but yesterday my brother took him to play upstairs with his daughter in the playroom and Jack was so thrilled he refused to let go of his uncle’s leg when it was time to go home. Today he was happy to pat his uncle’s leg with affection.

I’m glad his painful teething time is over for now and look forward to another day with my sweet happy baby.

Jack’s been grumpy these few days. Yes, the teeth have been bothering him but I can tell that he’s been trying hard to keep his own spirits up. I’ve been rubbing teething gel indiscriminately and nursing him a lot more as he clung onto me. Today he wanted me and only me to carry him for a nap.

Later when he woke, grumpy and tired (this evening too), I tried to ease the cousin rivalry tension but hugging and kissing Kaitlyn after she cried about how everyone just cared about Jack now. She seemed happier and willing to share her toys and talk to us after. Thanks to Steve Biddulph’s latest book I browsed in Borders on Sunday night. I shall buy it during the next sale.

A sweet thing Joyce just told me on IM. Her Dad and Mom who just met Jack were raving about him and his Dad in particular mentioned how he kept looking for me and commented that that’s what life should be about, that your baby son looks for you when you’re not in sight, and you put him as priority than work, if you have the means.

In my anxiety during this time of change, it makes me feel I made the right decision.

The past few nights have been really difficult. Poor Jack’s been crying terribly from the pain in the gums from his left tooth emerging. While awake he’ll be pretty cheery and even bite his blankie to ease the pain, but at night it finds no solace and cries often for comfort.

Although tired, I mean, really frankly, very exhausted, I soothed him, reminding myself he’s in pain and I can help ease his agony by nursing. The teething gel helped as well and now I carry it everywhere. Until that tooth emerges fully, I reckon nights will be tough.

This morning he was delightful, crawling all over me and patting my face to wake me up. I got up to a happy baby who hugged and cooed at me. For a moment, he stopped, a serious look on his face and made a few urgh sounds, which means he is pooing. When it was over, he was all smiles again.

I suspect Jack is teething.

He’s been finicky about eating… sucking a little then crying. Then he’d be happy one moment and then crying the next. At night he’s usually sleepy by 10 but now he wants to play. He’s still asleep by 1130pm-midnight. The past 2 nights he slept 8 hours and 6 hours straight respectively. He is fretty by day though, napping not more than 1 hour and he loves gnawing on my fingers or on his whole hand.

Hm…