Having a baby with colic was rough. Looking back, I know that it is something that passes fairly quickly, but sitting through it all made every day feel really long, really tiring, and like it would never end.
Breaking down her weeks: 1-4 she pretty much cried/fussed anytime she was awake, day or night. As a newborn, they do sleep frequently, so it was in short, continuous spells. Unfortunately, I hadn't figured out how she liked to sleep yet - all the traditional methods were so irritating to her - rocking, swaddling, you name it, she just screamed louder. She never slept longer than 2 hours. Period. By week 4, I was T-I-R-E-D. Worked out that was my first parents trip up to see her, so it was nice to have some relief, and by week 4, she was pretty calm as long as she was held. I really had to step out of my comfort zone and ask for help from neighbors and friends from church like crazy to have help with the other two. During this month, I was still pretty convinced that there had to be something actually wrong with her - reflux, food allergy, something to make her so fussy. I had two other babies to compare it to, and I knew that it could be different! But, after giving the rundown to the doctor at her appointment, and after getting a full check up, he was pretty positive she was just colicky.
I'd hit the point where I really had to let go. I couldn't continue trying to fix her, or keep searching for a solution. I needed to just accept that she was going to cry, but that it would end. Not in a day or two, but that it would end. It helped a lot telling other moms what she was like. Many were sympathetic, but the most helpful moms were the ones who'd had one (or more) babies with colic. Immediately their eyes changed, their expression softened, and they all gave the best advice: get to 3 months, and then get to 4 months. Not one of them had forgotten the colic enough to not be able to relate with the frustration and it was so comforting just to hear them talk about their experiences.
5-8: Definitely calmer when being held, but her fussy/crying time came EVERY night at 6:30. I could look at the clock and she would turn from content to crying almost on the dot. Initially, it went past 10:00, but gradually worked up to 9:00 or 9:30. Still crying/fussy anytime she was set down, anywhere. And since there is one of me and three little people, that crying happened more often than not! By this time, I did start getting out more, and the car ride/baby bjorn combo would keep her content. At the end of this chunk, Mike's parents came in town. The extra sets of hands were awesome. She was held so much by everyone that I actually thought she was getting over her colic (minus the evening periods). Until they left town.
8-12: Reminded that she still was colicky, and like the doctors say, would need to hang out until month 3 before seeing much change. Tayler was right on the dot. Definitely calmer during the day during these weeks, but still fussy/crying 2-3 hours at night. Felt more tolerable though as we were able to just plan around it and let it go. Still hated the usual baby stuff (swing, bouncer, etc) and at this point we had our house on the market, so I just gave up on them completely.
During this period, our realtor came over to meet with us to sign the papers to get our house listed. She has 3 kids of her own (none with colic), and wanted to come over after bedtime. Worked great for us, but we know it'd be in the same time frame as Tayler's non-stop crying. She was so funny when she first sat down and heard Tayler just crying away. I think it really surprised her to here that's how she was every night. I started to describe her as "particular" and she jumped in with the wording "high maintenance." Made me laugh.
12-now: She hit week 12 (right when we were taking our house hunting trip to Omaha) and boom, the hours of crying/fussiness ended. Smiles came out! Cooing and talking like crazy! And boom! It's like we have a different kid. Likes to hang out and wiggle, loves to talk to you. Still loves to be held - in a particular way. And seems super attached to mom. Only will nurse, refuses a bottle. And, has other very particular quirks.
Overall, I think she's really sensitive to life in general. Movements, sounds, quick changes, you name it - seem to really irritate her and scare her. Balls her hands into fists and gets really mad if you take the stairs down too quickly. If the kids get too crazy and loud, she'll start crying. Shows the "falling off a cliff" sensation pretty regularly. Really particular with how she is held, and with who is holding her, but I have no complaints about the holding - she's so happy and is so alert and into whatever is going on. Super strong on her tummy, and has been for awhile. Her first roll was at 7 weeks, but they are few and far between. I don't think she really likes the sensation. I mentioned to the doc recently, and he said more than how often, is just knowing that she can. Maybe her curiosity with just wanting to get somewhere will outweigh that "falling off the cliff" feeling. LOVES to stare at her siblings. LOVES to sit in her bumbo chair. A really big wiggler when she's hanging out on her back. Very, very talkative. I feel like she's just full of conversation.
I started taking her to the gym when she was 8 weeks (they have an AWESOME kids club there), and with Mike traveling so much, that really was the only break I had. Plus, I was back at teaching, and I'm a huge advocate of a person that takes care of themselves physically is a better mom, wife, friend, person, you name it. For the first big chunk, she just slept the whole time. Comfy and content. Now that she's older, she cries the minute we walk in the door (I think she knows the smell!), but has a couple super nice ladies there that just love to walk and bounce, walk and bounce with her - which is exactly what calms her down back to her happy self. Both of them are moms with older kids, and smile when they see her and say, "yep, I had one just like her and I know just what she needs." Sometimes they'll even pop her into a baby carrier (her favorite place to be!). They are working in the right place when they will take my screaming baby with an eager smile!
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