The sun will come out...

Tomorrow.  It was tomorrow (thanks, Peck;)  It has gone back to yesterday, as of today, but tomorrow will show up again, now that we know the key...

Poor little Zia, she was so, sooo miserable.  I believe the correct word would be "inconsolable."  The crying was almost unstoppable,  short of finding just the right bounce and vigorously repeating it, amid white noise, without variation, for ridiculously long bouts.  (Hell, maybe all of the bouncing was just our way of coping and she was just tuckering herself out each time ;)  Then, once she passed out, I had to stay standing and swaying/bouncing.  If my ass hit a seat, she'd wail...  It wasn't pretty.

And then there was her poor little tummy.  She was often miserable after eating, or in the middle of eating even.  Wanting to nurse, she would try, swallow, and scream in pain.  Her constant bouts of silent spit-up seemed to burn her throat, instead of effortlessly sliding out like P's always had.  And after lying down at night for just a few hours, she could no longer stand the prone position (all that gas and burping and spit-up and misery) so we'd have to spend much of each night sitting upright in the rocker.  It sucked.

So, she was miserable, I was on the verge of a body breakdown and poor P, he was spending inordinate amounts of time brooding while the baby wailed.  Her discontent was so constant I had a terrible time getting even the pre-cooked deli stuff out of the fridge for P and I to eat during the day.  And dressing was fortunately optional, since she was too manic to leave the house anyway :)

And it was getting worse, almost no eye contact :(   Our awesome lactation consultant (the one who helped with Z's tongue issues) suggested an elimination diet after watching Z fall apart repeatedly one afternoon. I was willing to try anything.  And P's problems as a baby were definitely due to nuts, so...

The results have been nothing short of Amazing.  Seriously.  After two days we noticed a difference.  A little less intensity.  After 5 days, she was sunshine in a bottle :)  Once, she sat in my wrap and just. fell. asleep.  It was amazing.

Thursday and Friday were really good days.  P and I actually left the house!  We sat and read together.  We even played on the floor together.  Sure, she fussed and had normal newborn needs, but this seemed like cake after the past few weeks :)

Unfortunately, it seems we need to add a few things to the elimination diet, as she's going downhill, massively, this weekend.  Yesterday was touch and go, but we didnt' realize this until we were already going out of the house.  So we just flowed with it, and she was ok.  Today, after another meal of the suspect food, she is back to constant bouncing and the fun part is over :(  But, we saw what could be and are determined to get there again.  So, just turkey, pears and sweet potatoes this week for me it is...

Yesterday we went on a family outing.  It was super sweet.  We wanted to visit the downtown farmer's market.  But still aren't brave enough to strap the kid into a car seat and listen to her wail, so we went by bike where she could stay on my body.  Superman schlepped us all on the back of his Mundo.  It was super fun :)  And oh my, was it amazing to get out of the house!

Crossing a bridge into downtown, our lovely new city shrouded in fog.

We rode right past occupy Portland.  Its HUGE.

This market, actually, kicks Union Square's ass.  I was shocked.  Its the best farmer's market I've ever been too.  Evah.  P was thrilled with his food options.  I had a moment of mourning that there was nothing I could eat :)  The produce was so gorgeous and the setting is just beautiful.  Fall leaves, college buildings, beautiful park, kids in costumes, compost bins everywhere and delicious organic food.

 P is wowed by some gorgeous carrots.

P, on the back of the bike.  I sat right in front of him, with Zia asleep in the wrap.

Walking back through the park.

What a great place for a farmer's market!

Going back over the bridge - we're seriously falling for our new town:)

P noticed OMSI (our science museum) as we crossed the bridge and really wanted to stop and play.  He loved it.  Zia woke up at this point for good, so there are no more pics ;)

 It was a treat to spend time as a family again.  We've been following a divide and conquer approach the last few weeks.  Now, just gotta get some stuff out of my system and see if it helps little Z again.  I want those sweet smiles back :)