Yesterday was one of those setbacks in our gradually smoother string of days with Lucy. She woke up demanding her first feeding at 3:10 AM (several hours earlier than usual), and then didn’t want to go back to sleep as she usually does. And it was more of the same all day long. Why, oh why, was she so cranky?
We had several live theories, but no solid conclusions for a long time:
* She’d had only seven feedings on Friday. Was she chronically hungry?
* We’d had special guests over Friday evening. Was she socially overstimulated?
* She wasn’t napping very well, and hadn’t gone to sleep till late Friday. Was she simply tired?
* It was a Saturday morning when Papa could finally sleep in. So was she just being ornery?
* She hadn’t pooped since Thursday. Was that it?
Bingo. By Saturday afternoon, Ann knew something big was in store when she heard ominous rumblings from little Lucy’s large intestine. A quiet moment on the deck glider turned into a major waste-elimination purge. Fortunately, we didn’t need to call in the EPA to designate the diaper table a Super Fund site — and better still, after making her voluminous contribution to the biosphere, Lucy seemed immediately more contented. She was more eager to eat and nap the rest of the day, and she had a good night’s sleep (eight hours straight, and another multi-hour run still going right now).
So why the big fuss over the backup? She had only gone 48 hours, which isn’t so bad for an adult, after all. But think of it this way: she had eaten *sixteen meals* without pooping! You’d be cranky, too.
Hi proud and happy parents of dear little Lucy – ironically I was finally able to get on line and check site for the first time since my excitement about Lucy’s birth (which was one of the happiest things in my life – but was temporarily overshadowed by many other events…but I have finally coped with the pressing ones and am very happy to be able to catch up with you 3!) at the sixteen meals before poop page! Yesterday I met Sue and Clara in the Boston Science Museum and managed to change 3 poopy diapers in 3 hours in tiny restrooms! Clara is now 19 months so I predict you will be focused on this aspect of child care for quite some time yet – glad you are approaching it with a sense of humor. Jack and I are in Boston for Endocrine meetings and Sue, Anuj and Clara were here to join his family for a week at Martha’s Vineyard (reminded me of LMB) So we had a chance afternoon together – pretty amazing! Continue to enjoy your dear little girl (in the crying photo she looks like her grandma Betty! :-)) We can’t wait to see her and hold her (we will be in Chgo from 7/9-7/24) Will call you when we get into town to arrange a time! Can’t wait – will even be happy to change a diaper! Love to all – Nancy