Her Skin as My Canvas

The ever-trusting Quinn has yet to associate the doctor's office with nasty things like needles, and bright lights being shined in all sorts of private places.

Not that I'm complaining, but I suspect sooner than later she won't be so cheery upon arrival. Then again, being an official Army brat, we'll move frequently enough that the setting will change just around the time she figures out whose waiting room we are in.



This week, it was all smiles and glee. Even while the doctor looked up her nose, in her ears, and past her pupils. Then came those damn vaccines.

I realize some people hesitate with giving their kids vaccines, and with the MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) dose, I might too. With all others though, I'm seeking any and all she is eligible for. This week, it was another one for meningitis, and one of several to prevent the flu (and ultimately the swine flu).

Quinn is getting the hang of it though, as she forgives both the doctor and me quickly and doesn't turn her bruised thigh and feelings into an all day affair; she limits her disapproval to mere minutes.

The other news of the visit was something I'd discovered on my own beforehand.

For the last several weeks she has had an ever increasing and somewhat alarming body rash. It was clear that it became worse depending on how much breastmilk she drank, so I added yet more lactase drops and even some more formula to offset the reaction (both of which had worked in the past). At a certain point though, that didn't seem enough, and just as I was going to contact her doctor, a neighbor who is a retired pediatrician told me to try the elimination diet again.

In some disbelief that it would work, I relented and stopped eating dairy, gluten, tree nuts, and chocolate. Within a few days her entire rash was gone! That was without the use of hydrocortisone, which her doctor had encouraged me to use to keep the rash under control; but I later learned if used too frequently, hydrocortisone causes cataracts for anyone, regardless of their age!

Today a rash appears to be reemerging, but that was after I reintroduced dairy. So, I hope her skin returns to its smooth and healthy look as I omit milk and such from my diet again.

Considering the grub available at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, I would rather just stay off these foods than make Quinn's skin the innocent canvas to my dietary whims. Yet, it would be good to know what doesn't work for her system before I find out by having her consume it directly, so I'm going to continue reintroducing each food group until I know if any others cause an irritation as well.

All the while, she is growing growing growing. Nearly ten pounds heavier than her birth weight (13lbs 12 oz), and finding clothing sized for 9 month olds most suitable, she is outgrowing things I thought she'd wear for years.

Apparently the premie games are boring her too, as she is trying to sit-up on her own, mimic someone talking (she's so close to saying "Moooom"), and holds her bottle more often than not.

Already, Quinn has outgrown most aspects of her title as a premie, both in girth and physical ability. It is amazing what a tiny person can accomplish in a matter of months.

And then as I change her diaper, in the split second that she is somewhat exposed, she pees like a famous Italian geyser all over me, herself, her clothes, and my bed. And I realize she may never outgrow this premie game . . .

From the Fountains of Quinn,
J and Miss Q