Tired Boy
Grayson has gone to bed before 5:30 the past two nights, and slept more than 13 hours. Usually I put him down right at 6:00, but by 5:00 yesterday and today his body language was begging me to put him to bed. As soon as I lay his body on that mattress, he was out.
He’s also been really difficult to take out the last few weeks. We had 3 playdates this week, and each one Grayson lasted about an hour and he started melting down- thankfully, I am in tune to his meltdown cues and got him out before things escalated too badly. Yesterday though, was really difficult- we went to the toy library with our OT, which was great, but Grayson was pretty hysterical the whole time we were there. And he couldn’t be calmed, which concerns me. This morning we had his 18 month well-check (nothing remarkable to report) and he was actually fine during the appointment, but he crashed in his crib for over 2 hours as soon as we got home.
Yes, he’s teething, and I realize that could be a big part of this, but I am worried it’s more than that. Toddlers (which I realize G is in age only) are supposed to get easier in terms of taking care of them, right? I feel like this is one of the hardest stages right now- G just seems SO tired and fussy so much of the time. His little legs are so stiff and it’s hard to get him in a position to play with his toys, and then his attention span with them seems minuscule. THANK GOD for his excersaucer and Veggie Tales music- Bob and Larry put a smile on his face (and save my sanity) each and every day.
My mind always goes to Mito- if indeed that ends up being his diagnosis-fatigue is a huge part of the disease and the impact on his life will be huge- I’m already seeing that. In a few weeks, the UMDF is having a day at a special needs amusement park in San Antonio. At first, I was thinking how fun it would be to take G. But then I realized- 3 hours in the car and then a day at the amusement park with no nap in his crib would equal disaster. The kids needs his sleep- in HIS bed- or he simply does not function.
I just feel so heartbroken for Grayson. Some days his struggles just seem so big. No wonder he’s tired.
I know Grayson is different than most toddlers but I can comment in regards to this statement: "Toddlers are supposed to get easier in terms of taking care of them, right? I feel like this is one of the hardest stages right now- G just seems SO tired and fussy so much of the time".we cannot make it through a day without NUMEROUS "the world is ending right now" type of meltdowns. i am going insane. i cannot take it. i eat dinner at my parents every night and they are about to uninvite us there because every single evening is filled with more hysteria than it is family time. the whole time i'm cooking: screaming. the whole time i'm eating: screaming. the whole time i'm doing dishes: screaming. my ears are ringing at night the screaming and crying is that loud. so there you have it. this is not an easy age with any child.
Oh my. That is so difficult. I am so sorry. It's so hard to see your child struggle so much, and not be able to take it away. I really hope that it's just a "phase" thing. I know that toddlers are not super easy to take care of, and many naps are needed. But I also know for sure, that mommy intuition is one of the strongest gifts God gives us. If you feel like something is "not right" then take him in and get some answers. Scary diagnosis are awful… but at least they point you in the right direction for an answer, for treatment, for helping him. Only you will know the best things to do for him, and whether or not something is really wrong. The doc might be able to put a name to it, but only you know what it really means. There is a reason that God made YOU his mommy! *hugs* Trust yourself. It will be okay. You will know what to do to help him.
I totally agree! Well said Coco!
I second both previous posters! Toddlers are high drama in general. Meltdowns and defiance and strange sleep schedules are pretty much the norm around our house. But just like Coco said, it's not unworthy of talking to the doctor about (if you haven't already). I know it *seems* like something to envy – a baby that sleeps a lot – but I also know how hard it is to schedule YOUR day around it. Sweet G Force, my little trooper! <3
Poor kiddo!I think at that age, my guys were sleeping 12 hours a night and usually 3-4 hours during the day. Toddlers just need a ton of sleep, and any health issues beyond that are going to make it more pronounced.Here's a piece of assvice though – Pediasure (which is what you feed him, right?) is pretty well *the* hardest formula to digest. And you're asking him to digest it continually virtually without a break all day. So that may well contribute to it. I know with D, he couldn't digest formula (at all, any of them, all the way through amino-acid formulas) and he was on continuous and he was just so much more easily fatigued than his brother. But once we got him onto boluses of food (which he can digest), he really really perked up, and now he's wild man "what's a nap, I don't need no stinking nap". (And the daily vomiting stopped.) So you might talk to GI about trialing another formula (or food if you're interested in that, though many GIs are wary of it). It might take a bit of the strain off his system even just to step down to a semi-elemental (Peptamen or Vital Jr).Hang in there!
Thinking of you and sweet G.. I feel homebound with two kids who go to bed super early.. Carter goes to bed at 6 and Emma at 6:30.. It is nice but can't really do anything in the afternoons since I start making dinner at 4:00:) Carter still takes 2 naps a day sometimes.. 18 months is a tricky age:)
Sorry for a rough few weeks, I too hope this is a phase, we never know what affects them, the weather? Full moon? For sure teeth. And perhaps his little sweet body is working hard to digest all that food and it just needs more rest. You know what is best and if that is his own bed, then so be it. Fingers crossed for peppier days soon!