Making the Cut

Nora’s teeth, that is. But let’s back up a second.

Nora had her 15-month well baby doctor’s appointment today.

Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with another ear infection. We’ve chosen not to treat it at this time, since she is still sleeping well and is not completely miserable (though she has her moments). But we do have the prescription just in case we need it.

Aside from that, it was a good visit. Nora is now 21 lbs., jumping up into the 20th percentile for weight (she’s always been hanging around 5th percentile, so this was a surprise)! Still petite, but not quite as petite right now. She’s 29 inches (also 20th percentile), and her head is something like 47 (or 49?) centimeters, which is the 77th percentile. Her daycare provider said that’s what makes her so cute–that her head is slightly bigger than the rest of her body. Haha!

We talked language development and walking and attitude. All deemed normal, of course. :) Little Miss got four vaccinations, which is always fun. Not.

Oh, and the pediatrician confirmed that Nora is cutting at least EIGHT teeth right now, including four molars. No wonder the kid is a little irritable. What’s funny now is that at any given moment, we don’t know what’s bothering her. Is she pitching a fit because her teeth hurt? Is her ear bothering her? Or is she just being a toddler with ‘tude? I guess we will never know. We’re trying to err on the side of caution–giving her the benefit of the doubt–and being a bit more sympathetic than we would typically be to her outbursts.

Tonight, she pitched an absolute fit once we were home from daycare. She would.not.let.me.put.her.down. Let’s be real: I love holding her, but I would try to put her down just to play with her and she did not want to have anything to do with the floor. I tried to put her in her high chair to eat and she flipped out, so I marched her upstairs to put her in the bath and get her ready for bed. She threw a big dramatic tantrum during the bath (which, as a result, only lasted about two minutes–long enough for me to wash her hair and wipe her down), and once she was out and dressed in jammies, she was fine. In fact, I brought her back downstairs and she proceeded to eat one of the largest dinners she has ever had. She scarfed down everything we put in front of her.

One minute she’s a monster. The next she’s an angel. Such is life with a teething, ear-achy, moody toddler.

I try not to overuse painkillers/fever reducers, but Nora has had at least one dose every day for over a week now, thanks to her mysterious illness and these dang teeth. I’ve also been using Orajel every night before she goes to bed, and busting out her teething necklace. (I owe you guys a review on that thing. Watch for it, hopefully soon!) We’ve tried offering her the frozen/refrigerated teething things before, but she never wants anything to do with them. I was given a bottle of teething drops made by Gentle Naturals, but haven’t used them yet.

Do you have any tips and tricks to help soothe a teething toddler?

I have to say, as much discomfort as she’s probably in right now, I’m glad we’re dealing with a bunch coming in all at once–let’s get this over with! Better a shorter time with more discomfort than a longer, drawn-out period of teething with a little less discomfort. Am I right, or am I right? :)