Thursday, October 30, 2008

daddy-daughter time

If having three kids has taught me anything so far, it's that just when I think I know what I'm doing, I realize that I don't.

To preface this story, I need to explain a couple things:

  1. The last six weeks or so, Emery and I have gotten into a nice little routine.  She eats like crazy for the 2-3 hours before she finally falls asleep in my arms somewhere around 10:00 or 11:00 pm, and then I put her in her bed, where she sleeps really well for the night, usually waking just once to eat.
  2. When Emery was just a month old, Patrick started giving her a bottle of pumped milk a couple times a week so that she would get used to taking one every now and then.  Kendall and Berkeley never would take bottles and I swore that this time would be different.  Emery had been taking them okay, but sometimes she'd just scream her head off when Patrick would try to give one to her.

So, last night, I'm feeding her, thinking she's probably getting close to being ready to go down for the night, when all of a sudden, she just starts screaming.  I think that maybe she needs to burp, so I try to burp her, and 5 minutes later, she burps.  Good-- now she can calm down, right?  Nope.  Still screaming.  I can't figure out what's wrong because this is very unlike her at night.  Maybe she wants to eat again?  I try to nurse her.  Nope.  Wants nothing to do with that.  A few minutes later and I'm getting really frustrated.  I asked Patrick if he'd mind trying his luck with her.  He thought it seemed like she was still hungry, but I assured him that I had already tried and failed.  He said he'd try a bottle.  Since I hadn't pumped anything that day, he had to resort to the soy formula, which we hadn't tried yet with her.  After making the bottle, he sat down with her and she immediately started guzzling it.  It was the weirdest thing!  That is the first time she has ever preferred the bottle to me!  I said, "If you want me to wean you right now, then that's it!  I'm done!"  I was just kidding (well, half kidding since I've never been one of those moms who cries when they're done nursing) because I was sure that this was just a fluke thing.

Well, she woke up at around 1:00 am and I fed her and then again around 4:30 am and I fed her, but couldn't get her to go back to sleep the second time.  We were at it again with the screaming and not wanting to nurse.  Patrick had woken up at this point and decided to go make another bottle, and sure enough-- that's what she wanted!  Do you think that she realizes that Patrick is the only one who gives her a bottle and that she just wanted some Daddy-time yesterday?

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9 comments:

Corrine said...

ok this might be a little out there but could she have an ear infection? and the way she was being held fed by bottle made it less pain ful on the ear? especially since she woke up more than usual--thats spelled wrong...

JoEllen said...

Max did this same thing every 2-3 months. Started to make me think I was drying up... but I think it maybe was just a growth spurt and he was just hungrier than I could keep up with. Lasted a couple days.

It's Been a Day! said...

well, i think it's great she will take a bottle and great she will take it from patrick and great that they get to spend time together. plus, it gives you a little break as well! how nice. still, i know it's frustrating that she prefers the bottle though. and i'm sure it's not because of the taste of soy formula. that stuff smells so bad. that's a really cute picture.

Rose said...

I love the intro line. I totally agree, just when I think I get things figured out I get thrown a curve ball! Keeps things interesting.

Melanie said...

meredith! wow. it's so late, but i finally took the time to do some investigative work and find your blog! link after link after link led me to discovering it. at last! it's neat to see everything you're up to. you're such a talented woman! and you have the patience of job with your hubby's busy schedule. i look forward to checking your blog often to keep up with what's happening. ESPECIALLY checking the recipe site. oh boy, i love to cook. i just need MORE HEALTY RECIPES!!!

merathon said...

is that my COUSIN melanie? if so, i thought you had my blog address! if you're someone else, let me know! glad you found me!

The Busby Family said...

How funny, I would love it if Sawyer took a bottle. I totally missed the boat on that one, next time I'll introduce the bottle early.

Leslie said...

Let me know how this one plays out. Leave it up to your third baby to throw you a curve ball. My third has thrown me plenty. It is so true- just when you think you are a seasoned mom and you know everything, something new comes up! Hope you guys are doing well.

Kerry and Dave said...

Welcome to my life! Only with me, I think it's because I "run out" of milk and have to give him the bottle, but T-man wakes up 3-4 times a night on average to eat and usually nurses AND gets a bottle every time. I'm glad I have someone to commiserate with :)