I don't have any suggestions but I just want to give you a big hug. I raised only one child. I just cannot imagine going from being childless to having 3.

My GD is about the same age, and also cutting teeth.
Cranky seems to be a part of teething, that and learning to express herself.
Do you give her finger food?..bits of food she can pick up herself, like the old standby - Cheerios. And pieces of soft fruits. vegs and meats.

Just putting a little pressure with your finger on the emerging teeth seems to lessen the pain. But remember, those teeny teeth can bite !

So glad the fever has broke... sadly this goes along with cutting teeth. Especially when more then one is coming in at once. I have my 18 month old grandaughter right now and she is trying to get them through. I put her in her highchair and give her a freezepop.

Keep up the good work... taking on 3 at one time is a huge job. These sweet little girls are so lucky to have you both. Keep posting with your questions and letting us know all the fun stuff, too. I love hearing it all.

Can you imagine what Christmas is going to be like? Be sure to get them an ornament the shows their first year with you. Let them hang it on the tree every year as a wonderful memory.. And halloween, what a blast this will be.. I will be imagining what their pictures will look like... Some day you will be able to share them with us..

I have a dear friend whose hubby has always been a fireman, too. He was gone alot when their kids were young. My hubby often worked long hours and she and I always did alot together with the kids. We have wonderful memories. She is the one that I have been posting about that has the brain tumor. She is doing great I am happy to say.

Love reading your posts...

Susie

Teething Tablets. Best thing DD#1 ever purchased! Wal-mart and I think Target has them for sure. Pharmacies probably carry them also.

Vickey-MN

Here is a link that might be useful: Teething Tablets

FMW, I've been watching your posts with much interest. I'm glad you decided to stick around! I'm sure there are many lurkers like myself who love reading your posts. I'm late, but I want to offer my congratulations on your wonderful new family!

On to the teething issue. I have started babysitting my 7 month old DGS, and we're right there with you! I'm linking to a "cool tool" that helps him a lot. He loves watermelon and peaches in it. Good nutrition that soothes. Can it be any better? BTW, I got mine at Target. I suppose Wallyworld would have them as well. Good luck to you!

Here is a link that might be useful: Teething Feeder

She sounds like my daughter. She didn't have a single tooth until she was almost 10 months old and then it seemed like overnight she had a mouthful! I don't remember her being cranky but then, there are some things you love to forget :-) Hope those little teeth break through soon so you both feel better!

Didn't we used to have teething rings? What if you got one of them and put it in the freezer. She could just gnaw on that to her heart's content.

Other than that, I don't have a clue, being childless myself.
Hopefully you still have all your hair! lol

My babies weren't that fussy teething, but goodness those muddy diapers. LOL!

So sorry she is having such a rough time.

Bless your heart and bless that poor little teething darling. I wonder if times like this in child rearing, is something like labor pains....you don't remember the tough times when its all done. I don't remember my kids having troubles when they were teething. Anyways, hang in there, better days are coming. I just LOVE the suggestion made by Suzie53, about a Christmas ornament commemorating their first Christmas with you, and make hanging it a special event every year.

Never thought of using jerky! HAS to be better than those teaching biscuits- I HATED when parents left those for the kids at daycare- what a mes!!!!!

Make sure she gets extra water since the jerky probably has a good bit of salt.

i'm leary of using jerky, salt content for one thing...

i hated the teething buscuit's too...what a mess they made..i used bagels (the regular plain) they stayed together longer...

ask what teething gel your peds dr likes..we used ora-gel...i did refrain from the old granny use of whisky!

check out online "self soothing methods" and see if any might fit into your routine...i HATE crying babies but a little fussing is ok...just so she knows you're there...

don't over-dress her...that was the biggest mistake for me...i finally got smart enough that a diaper, and light tee were enough during the day...when it was so warm...and the older kids did the same shorts and light tee or tank tops inside.

forgot! they have an awesome baby tooth brush now...get her into the habit along with the older girls...my kids have gotten my grands to brush their teeth with no fussing...

I'm so impressed with how you are handling all the bumps in the road and especially with your dh gone. You're doing a fantastic job! Hugs

No help on the teething, but when I was a teen I babysat for a neighbor during the afternoons so she could rest, run errands or I did a load of wash for her. I took the kids to the park or just outside for an hour or two.

Is there someone you can call to help out a bit? A neighbor, a teen, or an in law to releive you a bit?

Once those white bumps break the surface it'll be better..nothing is the cure...somethings help...but nothing makes it all go away until those teeth come up and through.

I just knew it was more than one tooth..
Been there done that...really watch her(with fever) when the first molars are trying to come in..1 and 2 yr molars were awful for my oldest.

Whatever you can do to keep her happy at this point. I'd keep up half doses of pain reliever another day or two.

I mentioned on an earlier post- frozen Eggo waffles. They have those built in drool cups! We also used a ring that could be kept in the freezer. It will get better now that you see the white bumps. But keep in mind that you still have a lot of teeth to go!

Trish in SC

My DH made the jerky so I know there's not a lot of salt which was a huge perk. She's drinking water I put in her bottle but I have ice in it too so its super cold for her which I think she is really enjoying plus when she shakes it it makes noise.

I feel like a wimp...I am so tired and I feel so sorry for her and not to mention I miss my DH. He's on a fire assignment and hasn't been able to call home. I am so tired and overwhelmed right now all I want to do is cry.

On top of Tayler getting teeth it seems Trace is learning to use hers, she's been in time out twice for biting her sister and the DOG! Heaven help me!

Sorry FMW,I had to laugh about Trace biting the dog! I have 2 year old twin grands.The girl has developed a bit of a biting problem so I know the feeling.She has bitten her brother several times and me and her mom.She hasn't done it in a while but I'm sure she will at some time in the future.I had a child that was a biter and back then,before the modern day don't spank,don't use physical punishment thing came into vogue,a couple of "bites back" did the trick!LOL The "experts" say that biting is a way for the little one to release frustrations so it is perfectly normal.I know not any fun for the one being bitten though.Sounds like you are handling it in the right way.It's also normal for them to bite when they are cutting teeth.
Poor doggie!LOL

And the DOG? ROFL God bless you. Now I know for sure why God in His wisdom only gives children to young people. I hope one of the moms in your family, yours or your hubby's, could come give you some relief just so you can catch some sleep.

I just thought of something. Does anyone remember using paragoric on their baby's gums to "ease the pain"? It'll ease the pain, alright--it's derived from morphine. We didn't know what it was, I guess. Just that the baby slept :-) It was also used for colic.

OMG....I loved paregoric........but never used it on my kids.
We used it a lot at the local county hospital for people with diarrhea...it worked very well. I loved the smell of it but only had to use it once or twice personally. I could have gotten addicted to it, I bet.
(That was way back in the early 1960's.)

Hang in there! The pay off is far greater in the long run.

Could you possibly hire a babysitter, to occupy the kids while you have a nap? I did this a few times and it was so worth it.

My Dd was a miserable teether, too. I don't think I'll ever forget it. It sounds like the teeth are almost through.

BJ

I know there are still teething rings out there that can be put in the freezer. Check anywhere they sell baby stuff. My only concern is that some of the jerky could break off and she could choke on it. Could you put a funny cartoon on to keep her mind off of them? I know it is rough on you, as you got instant mom and didn't get the chance to grow into it. Hugs to you.

lilliepad, when my younger sister (4 years younger then me) bit me on the stomach, my mom bit her back. And, she never bit another person again either! You're comments just reminded me of that.

My vet told me her little brother got bitten by the family puppy and he bit the puppy back. The subject came up because the cat she gave me was a biter and I said I told the cat "Don't you bite me,I bite back". I, of course, did not bite the cat but she did quit trying to bite, probably because of the scolding tone I used when I told her that.

I have this little mesh feeder that is good for fruit for babies that can't have chunks. I got it at Babies R Us. It's great for ice when they're teething. See attached link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Feeder

A friend of my daughters tried this with good results..She took a clean babys sock, put an ice cube in it, knotted the bottom of the sock then gave it to the baby.Easy enough.

i give my GGS a wooden spoon,it's new and slick and he loves to bite on it. I think that's what helped his first two bottom teeth come in. He's eight months and now getting two more on bottom and two on top and like Tayler you can see the little white bumps. I also have gave him those big frozen french fries. That seems to help. I didn't know you could even get paregoric anymore. Thought they took it off the market because it was being abused in it's use. But it was great.

Paregoric is still available by prescription. It is no longer an OTC. It was reclassified in 1970 as Schedule III. It is Opium.

Melba toast! My son used to love to gnaw on those. There are a bunch of different brands, but the plain ones are better.And those ice things for them to gnaw on are great. I went to the link Stephmc showed for those ice things, a thought came to me, is it made in China? It didn't say where it was manufactured. I would be afraid of anything made in China for a kid to chew on, but please check first.

Here is a link that might be useful: melba toast

I always used (and still do on any great grand kids)frozen greenbeans. Kids can chew on them and they are nice and cold. Yes Patti 43, I do so rember Paregoric, was good for every thing. So many moms miss used it tho, and I have to say there were times I would have liked to miss use it also. I don't think most knew that it really was.

Mine didn't like the frozen ring. Not sure why. I remember thinking the edges were kinda sharp too. We had this thing that looked like strung beads. It was hard plastic beads on a cord in primary colors. Like a small necklace. I still see them with the baby things. When both boys were teething we could NOT go out with out it. They would shove that thing back in there and bite and rub, and drool! It and a firm rubber thing with bumps all over it were total lifesavers.

Hang in there