Pitiful Little Man...

Just when I think I have this baby figured out, he throws me a curve-ball. Such is life, huh?

Yesterday, during his afternoon nap time, James would NOT calm down. He was extremely cranky and would only sleep if I was holding him. He sometimes fights sleep, but typically calms down after a few minutes of me simultaneously patting his bottom and holding his pacifier in his mouth. It is a routine that I have mastered, my friends. Yesterday, even that wouldn't calm him down. I finally wound up holding him, rocking him, patting his bottom, and holding his pacifier in his mouth for over an hour. He slept. I slept. All was right with the world.

When I was talking to Mom yesterday, I mentioned to her how grouchy he'd been. I also mentioned that he's drooling, biting on and/or licking everything (I've got pictures to prove it - chewing the front of the Jumperoo seat is his new favorite hobby), he has a rash on his chin, he rubs his face on my shoulder, he chews on his wubbie (blanket), he's back to getting up every 3 hours at night, and he's not napping great. She dropped a bomb on me...think he might be teething? Ummm...no. He's not quite 3 months old yet.

I got out the What to Expect the First Year and looked up "teething." I found it in the fifth month section. He has a lot of the symptoms that they list. Not all, but a lot.

So then, I emailed a friend that I consider to be my "baby guru." She said her babies were 8 months when they started teething, but that it wouldn't be unheard of. She thought, though, that the symptoms sounded more like an ear infection and suggested that I call the doctor's office.

Dr. W.'s nurse advised me to put Baby Orajel on his gums, give him Baby Tylenol, and see if it makes him feel better. If not, we're going in tomorrow for our first "sick baby" visit. I gave him Tylenol this morning and he was happy as a lark. Hopefully it'll work wonders for him!

Pitiful little thing! Wish that he could talk and tell me what's wrong! Anyone else have an early teether?