Feeling Helpless

There are times in a mothers life that leave her totally be-fuddled and feeling helpless. And I am learning that these feelings carry on into the wonderful, amazing world of Grandmotherhood. My beautiful daughter, H, blessed me on May 4, 2007, with the most adorable baby boy! He is absolutely the light of my life, and I am so lucky to be able to care for him while his Mommy and Daddy are at work. He has been the easiest baby to care for that I've ever seen. That is, until this weekend. Friday was H's birthday, and I know in my heart how much she was looking forward to coming home to her happy little guy, and getting to spend the weekend with him. WELL, for the first time since J's birth, I got a call for help from H on Friday night. I could tell just by the sound of her voice on the phone that she was so stressed, and tired, and feeling helpless. J was so fussy, and would not eat, would not take a bottle, would not go to sleep, and nothing could make him happy. I KNOW how she felt as a mother, but what surprised me was how I felt, wanting so badly to help both my daughter and my grandbaby at the same time. I only live 3 blocks from them, but getting there seemed to take forever!! Poor J was so tired, and it was so hard to see him unhappy. But after a few minutes, we finally got him to start eating, and he ate yogurt, and then some applesauce, and was still acting hungry, so H fixed him some cereal, and he ate all of that. But still wanted no part of a bottle. He would take a few sips from a cup, but no bottle. What could this be? There was no fever, no rash, could he have a sore throat? WHAT??? We finally got him to go to sleep around 10:30, and I kissed my own baby goodbye, and whispered "Happy Birthday, Honey". I went home praying that J would sleep through the night, and that H could get some rest.
On Sat. morning, H called, and we decided it would be best for me to keep J while she went to do her grocery shopping, since J was still fussy. Grandma and Grandpa both walked the floor for awhile, and Grandpa finally got him to go to sleep. And he slept, and he slept, and was just starting to wake up when H got back to get him. He was in the BEST mood!!! Which we were so very thankful for, but only added to the mystery. As H was changing his diaper, we noticed his top gum line.........white toothbuds all across the top of his little mouth. After playing for a bit, I coldn't stand it any longer and so while he was in my lap, I held his head still against my chest, and in I went to feel for myself. Imagine our surprise to find 4, count them, 4, that is FOUR teeth!!!! No wonder the little guy was fussy!! He already had his 2 front bottom teeth, and they came in fairly easy. But FOUR at a time? My poor, poor baby! I guess if you are going to be in pain, you might as well make it worth it!! Today has been much better, although drinking from a bottle is still a bit of a struggle. I'm so proud of you, H, for handeling it like a pro, I know how hard it is to see your own baby in pain.......I got to see it again Friday night, as I watched YOU watch YOUR baby in pain. It's a very hard thing to have to go through, and I'm sorry, honey, it will never end. You are a Mom now, and only now can you begin to understand what I've been telling you for 29 years........It hurts Mom as much as it hurts baby, just in a different place.......your heart. I love you, H. You make me more proud every day!