Not anymore. Non-stop fussing alternating with full out crying. When she's asleep and for fifteen minutes after she's fed, she's mellow.

Colic?

feeling horrible about not being able to do anything to help EM (well, she'll be couch-surfing here for a few nights in case the psycho invades her East Bay space again, but that doesn't really feel like doing much)

Darling, no, it is HUGE HUGE HUGE.

Her engagement has fallen apart. Hard core. Her family is dissolving and she has to keep herself and her son out of danger and can do very little for her would-be son. I can't imagine being in that position and feeling some sense of failure. And she must be simply heartbroken.

That the response of her ex husband and his new wife (newly given BIRTH wife at that!) is "come here where you'll be safe" says "you have people who care about you, see? you'll rebuild your heart and your family." She doesn't even have to end up on your couch for that to work good on her spirit.

I agree with Trudy. It's lovely of both of you, Hec and JZ.

I'm sorry about the car troubles. And the baby troubles. Is it possible to switch them out somehow?

Colic?

No, she's consolable. You just have to walk her and bounce her etc. It's also more fussing than crying. She's not content to be sitting in your lap or in the basinet. Not the end of our sanity. Just more work than desirable.

Is it possible to switch them out somehow?

Well, Emmett's keeping her entertained right now. He's flopped on the couch with his knees up. She's in his lap, facing him, lying back against his upraised thighs. And he's swaying his legs back and forth and rapping to her, "Homebaby in the physical Waaah!"

Suzi, I'm so sorry about your mom's kidney. As has been said, bad kidney! Sending all kinds of calming and healing vibes your way.

Hec, how old is Matilda now? Would she like one of those baby exercise mats with the swingy things to ogle and bat at? Sara loved hers. And don't underestimate the hypnotic quality of those vibrating boncy seats. We resorted to that once or twice.

And JZ, I'm with everyone else -- what you and Hec are doing for EM is huge. I wish I could offer a pair of hands to help with baby-wrangling and car-repairing and cold-calling, because you all definitely could use a break.

We resorted to that once or twice.

Once or twice? Dear gods, we had Em in that thing constantly. The swing, too.

My nephews both loved the bouncy seats, as well as the swings. (Though the swings are kinda big, and might not work with your limited space...)

The whole vibrating thing seemed vaguely squicky to me. But the swing! Yes, the swing. Although Matilda may still be a bit wee for that. (If it's at all like the one we had.)

Sara went through a completely cranktastic period when she was about three months old. Not colic, just demanding. constant. attention. Jiggling, crooning, swaying, nonsense babble, whatever. It was very tiring.

Hec, how old is Matilda now? Would she like one of those baby exercise mats with the swingy things to ogle and bat at? Sara loved hers. And don't underestimate the hypnotic quality of those vibrating boncy seats. We resorted to that once or twice.

She's six weeks. We do have a bouncy/vibrating seat that she used to like but hasn't much lately. We've got a mat and dangly things but haven't tried that yet.

Sara went through a completely cranktastic period when she was about three months old. Not colic, just demanding. constant. attention. Jiggling, crooning, swaying, nonsense babble, whatever. It was very tiring.

This is what it is exactly.

But Emmett's keeping her happy now and JZ went to take the car. I'm checking in with my temp agency to see about interviewing for a long term assignment. Team Zmayhem has rallied round and is fending off the duck nibbles.