four months

...and one day. We're a day late with the four month photo and update. Elias weighed in at 16 pounds even during his check-up last week and measured about 25 1/2 inches. He's moved from the 50th (at the two month check-up) to the 75th percentile for weight, height, and head circumference.

So what are we up to at the four-month mark? Gosh, where to begin? I guess I'll break it down by the basics:

Eat: We're still breastfeeding, and heartily. Sometimes I think if Elias didn't spit up so much of what he takes in, we could easily cut out a feeding or two. Despite being pretty vigilant about continuing to abstain from his suspected problem foods (dairy, soy, and eggs, and, "unofficially" I've also been avoiding nuts and fish, just in case) he's had symptoms of, as his GI doctor puts it, classic allergic colitis off an on all month. When we had our follow-up appointment a couple of weeks ago, I was on the fence about whether or not to switch Elias to formula. The GI doc recommended we wait to introduce anything new until we'd gone at least a week symptom free. Well that week's yet to begin. I called last Monday wondering how long should it take his system to clear up (particularly after our west coast travels, where I'm pretty sure I accidentally consumed something that didn't exactly agree with his system) and the GI doc suggested we test his stool for anything infectious that might be going on and try him on one of the hypoallergenic formulas, at least until his symptoms cleared.

We followed the doctor's orders. His stool samples came back normal and he spent three days on Alimentum. Initially he seemed to improve right away but by the third day many of his symptoms had returned. Or resurfaced - it's hard to know if he was reacting to the change or if this was a continuation of his system working things out. The abrupt switch was difficult for me, though, and renewed my dedication to breastfeeding, at least in theory. When I called back on Thursday with an update, as requested, the doc then recommended we switch him to Neocate, the crazy protein free formula that costs exactly one arm and one leg per can (fortunately, since it's categorized as medically necessary and called in like a prescription, our insurance covers it). I was still pumping, should I be given the green light to continue breastfeeding, but the doctor was still encouraging us to wait until Elias was symptom free for at least a few days. In short, Elias has had about three ounces of the stuff, mixed with breast milk and the previous formula, in the past week. At this rate, he'll be weaned by his first birthday! I'd probably just continue to breastfeed if doing so on this diet as is was actually working. I suppose I could cut out wheat and gluten, but what if that doesn't work? He could be allergic to anything, really, and this quest/emotional roller-coaster could get even more ridiculous than it already is.

So where does that leave us? Well, I guess our approach at this point is to try and wean him onto the previous formula, see how he does after he's on that for a bit, and then, if necessary, try to switch him from that to the Neocate, assuming a switch from formula to formula will perhaps be a bit easier than from good ol' fashioned breast milk. Now if we could just get him to drink the Alimentum again! Despite drinking nothing but the stuff for three full days last week, suddenly it's a challenge to get him to take even a bottle of breast milk. Could he have developed such an attachment to the boob over the past week? Good grief, kid, as if this isn't hard enough!

Sleep: As I briefly noted a few days ago, Elias's sleep patterns have taken a step backward over the past few weeks. Initially, it was the daytime naps that seemed to disappear. And then ever since we returned from San Diego, night sleep has gone from pretty darn good for a baby his age to less than desirable. Getting him to bed was harder than ever and there were a few nights where he woke up several times, sometimes to eat, other times for various other reasons. He'd broken free from his swaddle, seemed to just want to be held for a bit, needed to burp, etc. This week seems to be going a little better so far, but I'm hesitant to claim that the phase has passed just yet. Every day is different, for better or worse.

Otherwise, is there time for anything else?? Well, yes, there is and despite always writing about our battle with breastfeeding, Elias is generally a pretty happy, very alert and active little guy. He seems eager to get a move on, nearly sitting unsupported and doing this crazy squirmy shuffle thing when he's on his tummy (I have a video I'll post later). Less charming than these tricks is the sudden back flip he tries to do when seated on our laps, facing us. He's getting better at grabbing toys and things but seems a bit frustrated if he can't get whatever it is he's holding onto into his mouth. He wants to chomp continuously but oddly doesn't seem that interested in any of the five or so varieties of pacifiers we've purchased over the past couple of months. He seems less interested in sucking, more interested in chewing. Teethers kind of do the trick but so many of them are so clunky and difficult to hang onto. If anyone has any suggestions of a good option for the chomper who dislikes pacifiers, do let me know.