Scarlett Pannebaker : Grunty McGrunterson

I'd like to pick the brains of you readers out there if you don't mind.

In the past week Truman has morphed into Grunty McGrunterson. We are talking loud, frequent, intense grunting and squirming and straining. Imagine a linebacker clearing his throat over and over again and you'll get the auditory idea of what my baby boy sounds like when he's putting on his show. It's worse at night and the crazy thing is he'll usually keep his eyes closed and sleep through it like nothing is wrong, but sometimes it will wake him and sometimes it happens during the day, too. It sounds awful, you guys, and it's definitely affecting our sleep. Not cool.

Basically, I'm pretty much convinced he's working on a juicy turd or a rockin fart when he does this, and I know newborns don't have the most mature digestive systems so it takes them awhile to figure out HOW to poop/fart (crazy, huh?) Sometimes he is productive and rips one then calms down but other times it's a lot more difficult for him and I feel so badly for him when he can't produce the poot he needs. I guess I should mention that Mister T has always been a vocal baby, and even at the hospital the nurses commented that he has a little song he sings with cooing and talking to us. But the watch-out-I'm-going-to-blow grunts are newish and freaky. I never thought I'd be my son's cheerleader when it comes to mustering out a fart but it really does make me giddy when I hear him rip major butt because I know he'll feel better. And sometimes he'll smile after his accomplishment then pass out so you know it was a good one:)

We've tried bicycling his legs and sometimes it works wonders but other times he gets supremely ticked at us for even attempting this feat. I am usually successful in burping him after feeding but not every time, so I'm not sure why he is so gassy. He's not spitting up a ton but just what I assume is a normal amount for a 6 weeker. He's not crying in pain or inconsolable at all. He still eats like a champion sumo wrestler and seems to feel just like his usual content self...if it weren't for those pesky trapped farts in that little tummy of his. I mean, he's almost 7 weeks old which is right around the peak of fussiness for all babies so I can't say he's happy 100% of the time but it's not like he's completely changed temperaments or anything. My diet hasn't changed. He's not running a fever.

So what does all of that tell you readers? Is it just a 'normal' baby thing that will pass with time as so many articles seem to indicate? Apparently there is an official disease called 'Grunting Baby Syndrome' or GBS out there, which I find rather entertaining but it does make me feel like maybe this is no big deal. I called the doc earlier this week and they seem to think it's normal for him at this age but when we go in for his 2 month appointment I might pick their brains a bit more.

I'm worried that he might have a touch of dairy allergies but then again, he really doesn't have any of the other symptoms for it. And you might suggest that I just 'cut out dairy' from my diet to see if it helps, and I'm all for that if it will work, but let's get real---I live in America's Dairyland state. If I have to give up cheese I might die and I know Nate would keel over instantly if I told him we could no longer make pizza and Mexican and all of the yummy dairy dishes of the world. Again, I'd do it in a heartbeat for Truman and maybe I'll try it out for a few days next week to see the results but it really would be a major lifestyle change for me (cheese mostly, I'm not a huge milk, ice cream, or yogurt person).

So anyway, I ask you dear readers: have any of you endured a particularly grunt-tastic baby? How long did it last? Do you think there might be something more going on here, in your personal opinion? I'm driving myself crazy researching and analyzing as you can imagine but I hate seeing him squirm around and I really like when we sleep well at night. Go figure:) Opinions welcome.

I cannot leave you without pictures of my baby boy in my new favorite outfit (do I say that about all of them, or what?)

Please note the chunky gut roll and try not to smile.