OBaby is a very content, very smiley child. He loves to make friends with people and smile at strangers in the coffee shop. He squeals with delight when I kiss the little rolls on his neck. He is truly a happy baby. So much so that I have started joking with DanO that we should probably only have one child because this one is perfect and we should quit while we’re ahead, you know?
(No, I don’t know. I am definitely not serious about that, but really, he is such a happy kid.)
I think that is why, two weeks ago when I started saying that I thought he had an ear infection, no one believed me. He was still smiley, playful and completely social. He wasn’t acting like an irritated baby with an earache. Except I noticed the subtle pauses he would take to rub his ears and face, and how he would not wake up from his naps as happily as was usual. I was fairly convinced of it, but well, our co-pay at the doctor is $50 and really, he was mostly fine.
We went to Utah for a week. He was happy (and stimulated) as a clam. There was so much to see and so many people to hug, that there was little time to whine about an earache (or had it just not been anything after all?).
But when we got home, the personality changes were apparent to me again.
So Friday I decided that enough was enough and it was worth $50 for me to make sure my baby boy was ok. DanO and I scrambled fit in a walk-in appointment at the pediatrician’s office, hoping to return home with more than 30 minutes to clean the house and start cooking dinner for the guests we had coming over. It really wasn’t convenient to our schedule or our wallets, but I know my happy baby and something was wrong.
Even as we checked in at the doctor’s office the receptionist commented that he “looks like he’s just fine” as he smiled and giggled for her. 4 minutes later as the doctor looked through the otoscope into my squirming son’s ear canal, he announced that his right ear was in fact infected.
I hate to be right about that kind of thing, but really, I like being right.
To me this meant that I know my son. I know him more than anyone else, stranger or family, because I have the blessing of spending so much time watching his little personality develop. While I would never wish an ear infection on my son, I will say that hearing that my mom intuition was correct was a huge boost to my momfidence. I will not doubt myself like that again, no matter how happy he is.
Also learned at the doctor’s office: at 10.5 months old, OBaby weighs 17 lbs 10 oz and is in the 5th percentile for weight, which would explain all the 3-6 month clothes. Das mah wittle peanut.
What a great feeling! (not the ear infection, of course) While not in this particular sense, I know what it is to doubt yourself. I’m glad you were able to gain the confidence you needed! I just love how relevant this post is to so many different situations! Congratulations! :)
[By the way, I LOVE that balloon picture. Gussy should post that with her other celebration inspiration photos!]
Way to follow your intuition!! Good for you! Now his ear will clear up before it’s really bad and spreads to the other one! Well done :)
he is SO tiny!! my 7 month old weighs 22 lbs and wears size 18 months! you are such a great mommy! always follow your gut!!!
We just did this exact same thing with our two year-old daughter. None of our kids have “Told” us about ear infections before the fever spikes. It is nice when know there was something wrong though and have a cure. As for the weight, neither of our girls are even on the chart. Our two year-old out eats our four year-old and is only 23lbs. Her sister is following suite.
That photo, with that hat, is just TOO much.
You DO know your baby best – isn’t it great to have your confidence boosted like that? Hope your little guy is feeling better soon!
poor baby! we always joke about our next kid being a complete terror because of this one being such an awesome kid. & as for the ear infection thing, our kiddo had a DOUBLE ear infection and was still smiling… but there were definitely still little things that we could tell that were off (including not eating as well). hope all is well!
SUCH a good feeling. I’m glad you caught this. It’s really tricky with the happy ones. Miles was the same way. He just didn’t complain, even if in a whole lot of pain, he just rolled with it. So trusting your gut is so important. Way to go, Mama!
I LOVE “momfidence”
aw! poor guy! i have been wondering if Joshua has an ear infection too b/c he keeps smacking himself on the side of the head. and 17 lb 10 oz would be awesome … Joshua was just 16 lb 1.3 oz at 9 months! somehow he fits into his 6-12 onesies, but the pants are a bit baggy, but 3-6 pants are too tight. oh well! at least our peanuts are easy to carry! :)
momfidence……… I LOVE that! I need some more with my two year old at the moment.
We always have people tell us to stop at 1 because “we’ll never get this lucky twice” but I can’t wait to see how different baby #2 will be.
Learning to trust my intuition has been one of the hardest things. Noah had an ear infection at 5 months and I had no idea because he is such a happy and easy going baby. I took him in for what I thought was just a cold and then felt so guilty for not noticing the infection.
Oh and I’m sure you’re back is thankful that you have a little peanut! At 8 months my son is pushing 20 pounds!
Good for you. We should never second guess that momintuition! My little man is a peanut too…he just turned one last week and weighs in at 17 pounds. I dont even think hes on the charts he he makes baby wearing all the more comfy and saves fundage on clothes!
Moms always know!! Except for those moms who let their kids audition for American Idol, that have NO talent at all. Those moms don’t know!
I had the same experience last week with my 2-year-old. The doctor kept asking, “So…his only symptom is that he’s kind of cranky?” as my son grinned and giggled at him. “No fever, rash…anything?”
Double ear infection.
I’m so glad you listened to your instincts. A good friend of mine didn’t, and her son has permanent hearing loss. (I hope that didn’t sound judgemental–she simply listened to her dotor. The whole situation is heartbreaking.) I love my doctor, but sometimes mom really does know best.
My arms are jealous of your little peanut! My little chunky monkey man was 20 lbs at 6 months so that probably means he is getting close to 23-24 now at 8 months! The little stinker is growing out of his 12 month clothes and moving on to 18 months right before my eyes. Good job listening to your momtuition…hope he is feeling better :)
My son was exactly like him as a baby. I had no idea that he even had an ear infection, until they discovered it at a scheduled checkup. He was always smiling and laughing, and nothing bothered him.
Please tell me you’re joking about the $50 copay! That is ridiculous!
OBaby looks so cute in a hat!!
Baby W has the very same “happy all the time” disposition–so this past week I have wriiten off him grabbing his ears and shaking his head. But after reading this post I just scheduled a doctors apt for today, lol ;) Thanks for reminding me to trust my instincts. So we’ll see if he has an ear infection too…
btw: you rock
ashley