Thank god for the Baby Bjorn! For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s basically a sling that holds the baby on your chest. It’s been a lifesaver for Jen and I over these past couple of days. We’re quickly learning that Finley likes to be bounced up and down a lot. It’s the one thing that seems to keep her calm. We’ve tried the swing (she’ll last in that a max. of 5 min.), we’ve tried the bouncy chair (I should say chairs, we have 3), we’ve tried the play mat (again, about 5 min. max) and nothing has really seemed to keep her occupied. There’s only so much bouncing you can do holding her in your arms so the Baby Bjorn has been a great relief. We’ve also had a minor breakthrough with the pacifier. She wouldn’t take it for the longest time, but now she’s starting to take to it. Yeah.
I wrote in a previous post about feeling like the helpless husband. Well, that feeling is back. We had a rough week. Jen was up a couple of nights feeding non-stop, we’re in the process of buying a new house which isn’t going as planned and the stress level is high. I just want to say to her, “go get a pedicure or go spend a couple of hours by yourself”, but Finley isn’t allowing that to happen right now. Yes, it has been difficult this past week, but Jen and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. There’s plenty of time throughout the day when Finley is wide awake and smiling and it makes us smile too. Here’s some new pics that Jen snapped this past weekend. Enjoy!
Mike
Finley Mae, 6 Weeks Old
on Feb 16th, 2009 at 6:27 am
For some reason babies like to bounce. My daughter tried everything with her little man and the only thing that worked was bouncing him on the end of the bed or a chair till he fell asleep. Nothing else would work. What’s nice is that they out grow that stage. She sure is a beautiful little girl just like her sister.
on Feb 16th, 2009 at 9:22 am
WOW…Finley is changing right before our eyes! She is a very beautiful baby….Jen you’re constant feedings are paying off…she looks sooo healthy!
I can easily understand the added stress for you, buying a new home. You have alot on your plate right now!
Glad the baby bjorn is working for Finley
With each day, you find what works, and doesnt work for a newborn. I’m sure you went thru this with Katelyn as well.
I enjoy the pics, thanks for sharing!
on Feb 16th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
The best advice I could give you is to utilize an exercise ball. My little one loved this. You sit on it and hold them, and bounce. It works!
on Feb 16th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Jen, my daughter was up constantly nursing my grand daughter, a very restless experience and not exactly enjoyable for either. In hopes it would get better with time, she kept on trying. Pumping was impossible.. never enuff to suppliment so she could take a break and have someone help with bottle feedings. In the end she supplemented formula for off feedings when I could take over and help out when i could. It truely worked like a Charm. She ate more, and longer, and was satisfied for hours without the restless naps for both of them. After the change in feedings, and her first baby shots.. she slept anywheres from 8-11 hours at night. We found she was fond of swaddling as well. Once her tummy was full and she was all swaddled in for the night, it was like a miracle for everyone. She was a January baby, and when she was awake and alert, she liked to be uncovered, and the “cooler” the better for her, til this day and she is 9 yrs old she doesnt like to be overly warm.
Also one other note..She was NOT bottle fed for the first 4-6WKS ,but she did catch onto it rather fast and it was Great. Im not sure of your scedule.. and if your nursing or not, but it was just a comment, in hopes maybe something might work .
As i read your blog, i wish i could donate a couple hours to give you and Mike a day to go out on a Date and have lunch and a glass of wine LOL… i know how hard it can be, God bless your family, and i will keep u in my thoughts. Every day will get better with time, thats what i tell myself anyways. Rest well… thats important for everyone !!
I miss your morning news Jen, and cant wait to have you back to enjoy with my morning coffee.
on Feb 17th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Dear Jen,
Just out of curiousity, what is Finleys eye color?
I have noticed how pretty Katelins eyes are.
My friends eye color are the same blue.
I was just wondering.
Thank You,
Alexa
on Feb 17th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
jen and mike finleys so cute she looks like a baby doll
on Feb 18th, 2009 at 5:09 am
So cute and adoeable it will get easier each cherish both girls as they grow up fast.
Can not wait to see you on the morning show Jen.
on Feb 18th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Mike and Jen,
I like the idea of the exercise ball posted in an earilier comment. It might work for you and be fun, too! How’s Katelyn doing with the additional noise and the parental units running to the little sister? I was blessed with no colic for either son (mine are 7 years apart as well), but about 2 months into it, my eldest came to me and said “We can take him back now.” Like we just went to the hospital to borrow a baby. It was an interesting exchange, with the whole “remember mommy’s belly?” discussion….
on Feb 19th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Please hurry and get back to work we miss you in the morning. I know that doesn’t sound nice but, my husband is going crazy with your replacement. The pictures are pretty thanks for sharing.
on Feb 19th, 2009 at 11:54 am
“I understand your frustration”
…been there, done that. My sister, also named Jenifer, (yes, just one “n”), used to put my son in the baby bjorn and walk on the treadmill. It worked every time. Gave me a little relief. Hang in there!
on Feb 19th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
My daughter enjoyed being swaddled as well. It was the only way she would sleep soundly. She was five months old before she would sleep without being swaddled. My daughter didn’t like the swing at first either, but when she was a little older it was one of her favorite places. She didn’t have colic but her two older brothers did. I know what you are going through. My husband thought he would be deaf before our oldest out grew it. I know that it is hard and heartwrenching to sit and not be able to do anything to help her. It will get better. My doctor always told me that crying won’t hurt your baby. When you get overwhelmed, put the baby in her crib and take a 5-10 minute breather. My husband would take the baby and make me go take a shower with the radio on so I wouldn’t hear our little one crying. Sometimes just getting a drink or washing your face can be enough time to make you feel better and able to handle the rest of you day. Hang in there your doing great and deep down inside you know that you are.
on Feb 19th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I highly recommend Dr. Renata Anderson for Chiropractic care–she specializes in babies and kids! Our baby has been adjusted since she was 5 days old I believe she is better off for it. I know a handful of friends & relatives whose babies had colic. After seeing a chiropractor, they improved significantly! (I wouldn’t go to just any chirop. though. Make sure s/he has pediatric certifications.)
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 11:24 am
Oh, I am so sorry, I haven’t been on here for a couple weeks. My heart goes out to you guys.. I too wish I lived closer so I could come rock or “bounce” so you two could go out for just a break. It will get better, and soon it will feel like it never happened. That little smile makes it all better. I will keep you in my prayers. I am going to come on here more often and check up on you. Such cute pictures! You certainly have two cuties..
on Feb 24th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Our little Eric which is 19 months now, also was colicky. The soothing noise of running bath water worked for him. We couldn’t possibly run the water at all times so I researched and found a cd with soothing sounds, worked like a charm.
http://www.twinsisters.com/onlinecatalog/classicalandrelaxationmusic/2151.htm
Hope this is helpful.
on Mar 4th, 2009 at 5:14 am
I always had great luck putting mine on top of the washing machine. Seemed to work well, now it works with the Grandbabies. Good Luck!