As mothers, we don’t really have favorites.  There are certain things we may like better about one of our children over another.  Like how I like how Harry ate as a baby better than how Liam does.  And I like how Liam is friendlier with people than Harry was and is.  But I don’t have a favorite.  I’d be lost without both of my boys.  But our children are not ourselves and they, apparently, can have favorites.

This probably comes as absolutely no surprise.  It’s not at all uncommon, especially at a very young age, for a baby to prefer mama to papa.  After all, mama has the milk and all the hugs and snuggles.  She signifies comfort and safety and warmth and happiness.  Right?  Tell me I’m not imagining this.  Because it would appear that my own darling baby prefers his father.

Truthfully, Liam hasn’t been himself the last several days.  He’s a pretty mellow child and he’s been very weepy and crabby.  He’s normally full of smiles for us and anyone else who will give him the time of day.  Instead, everyone’s being treated to hard stares.  While he’s never been a fantastic night sleeper, he’s been even worse.  I blame a resurgence in the cold he had as he’s been coughing and all snotty and generally miserable.  Plus, I think his top teeth are encroaching which never helps matters.  Last night, all was fine until 5 am when Liam just WASN’T HAVING IT.  Whatever I had, he didn’t want it.  He wanted something, alright, just nothing I had to offer.  Kile heard the crying (I was in the nursery) and came to see if he could help.  As soon as he scooped Liam up, the crying stopped.  Voila!  Soon as Liam was handed back, the crying resumed.  So I decided since it was after 5, I may as well get up so we went down stairs.  Eventually Liam settled down and fell asleep shortly after I deposited him in his Pack n’ Play.  When Kile came down an hour or so later, Liam started up crying again.  I tried everything I could, yet again, and he wouldn’t stop crying.  Kile took him and held him and he settled and fell asleep.  JUST LIKE THAT.

Let me tell you, this does not do wonderful things to a mom’s ego.  To know that I cannot settle my own child when he’s upset just aches.  And, obviously, it told me that there was something wrong with him.  It goes entirely against nature for a baby to prefer his papa over his mama.  Obviously, he needed to see a doctor.  Thankfully the nurse agreed when I called in and we got an appointment for 11:30.  Turns out?  Child has a mild ear infection, which would explain the crying and poor sleeping and generally crabbiness.  Also, his wheezing has stepped up a notch again so we’re back on regular nebulizer treatments, once every 4 - 6 hours.  Armed with some infant’s ibuprofen and some Zithromax for the ears, we returned home.  Unfortunately, it hadn’t really taken effect yet as he’s still not sleeping very well and if he gets him self worked up enough, I have a hard time getting him to stop crying.  But at least now I feel like there’s something I can do.

I hope he’s feeling better soon.  I want my Liam back, the one who loves his mama above all others.