Yesterday I took the venture to southern PA to visit my cousin and her two boys. They adored Molly and were so kind and gentle with her!
Five Months Old.
My Molly, sweet baby girl,
You’re 5 months old now! I can’t believe how quickly time is going. You’re almost one half of a year old, and that’s enough to make me cry! I love every second we spend together, even if I get a little short with you when you won’t go to sleep in your crib. You are my little buddy, even more so now that you’re a bit older. We go everywhere together and have a blast doing it.
This month we switched pediatricians. I’m really happy with this switch, and I hope you are, too. Other than a few short stints in disposable diapers, we are full time cloth diapering now. We had to use disposables while the power was out due to Hurricane Sandy, but it suuuucked! We went through 3 outfit changes, they just can’t contain poop! I love our cloth diapers, hard core, and am glad we finally took the plunge.
18 weeks old
You are still in 3-6 month clothing, although I think we’ll be switching your pajamas pretty soon since the nighttime cloth diaper is so thick from so many layers that we have to put in it. I’ve already been buying some 9 & 12 month clothes so that we have a good amount for when you grow into them. Every time I get something in the mail, I can’t imagine you being big enough to fit in it, but I know you will.
You started this new thing where you hate putting your pajamas on at night. You’re good during the day, it’s just jammies at night that you fuss for. Bizarre, but cute. Favorite toys? Sophie the giraffe, tags on anything – burp cloths, books, your blankie – cloth books to chew and suck on.
Sleeping has been okay, I thought we actually solved the sleeping issue at the beginning of last month when we put you to bed later, you slept longer, until about 3am and I was so excited, but then we had some wake ups at midnight or so. The past few nights, I’ve just been bringing you in bed with us. It’s easier and I think we both sleep better that way. I don’t mind, I know you’ll only be little once and I’ll enjoy the extra cuddles! Nighttime routine? Daddy gives you a bath if its bath night, then lotion, diaper on, playtime, books, prayers, and nursing to sleep. Sometimes you’re out for the night, or at least a few hours, and other times you get up in a half hour or so. If you wake up, I nurse you back to sleeps then you’re out.
Naps are almost always taken in your crib, and we have a sporadic 2 hour nap occasionally, but most of the time they’re only about 45 minutes or so. I started a bad habit of nursing you to sleep now, I don’t know when it started, or how it started, but it’s firmly in place now. Granted, Grammy and Daddy can get you to sleep for a nap, but I have to nurse you. I don’t mind though, it’s our cuddle time. You’ll sleep in the car though, no problem at all. We’ve transitioned from a swaddle to a sleep sack this month – you grew out of your swaddles. Your arms were never in your swaddle, so it wasn’t a problem if you rolled over.
19 weeks old
Speaking of nursing, breastfeeding is still going fantastically. I haven’t had to give you any formula at all, and I think we’ll be able to make it to our one year goal, and beyond even! You still haven’t had any solid foods, I think we’ll wait until after your 6 month check-up to start that. I’m not in a rush at all to start solids. I’m aiming to follow a laid-back, baby-led weaning approach, since that seems to make the most sense. It will definitely keep me thinking about what I’m cooking for the family since you’ll be eating it, too! I’d like to do some purees though, just because you can’t eat everything with your fingers – like yogurt and soups. I’m excited to start it, but then at the same time, I know it’s a new chapter, and I don’t know that I’m ready for you to grow up like that yet!
Rolling has been getting better, I think it’s safe to say that you can roll consistently from your belly to your back, it’s just the other way that’s a little slow. I’m not worried though, you’re working on sitting up like a big girl, and I’d be okay if you just didn’t roll at all. I know all babies develop differently! You’ve even been pushing your shoulders and chest up now, and I’ve watched you push your legs up like a plank, but while your elbows are still on the ground. You’ll be crawling before we know it!
20 weeks old
Your laugh is just contagious! We’ve gotten more and more laughs, and I just love it. I got a few on video so we have them saved. More and more people are able to get you to laugh, too, and I know they all love it. I love seeing your face light up when I walk into a room. You follow me everywhere with your eyes, and you usually have to be able to see me, especially if you’re cranky. If you see me walk out of a room, you’ll fuss immediately. I think Daddy doesn’t really like that, but I’m home with you all the time! What does he expect?
You make friends wherever you go, smiling at every stranger that compliments you. I hope you keep that bubbly, smiley personality!
No teeth yet, but you’re drooling and chewing on everything in sight. I keep checking to see if I can feel anything, but nothing yet. Your hair is getting a little more sparse, but it’s still red and curly. I hope you keep the red, I would love that! I don’t think the curls would go anywhere since Daddy and I both have red hair, and I hope that I can teach you to embrace the curls and not hate them like I did. You still have a good amount of hair on the bottom back of your head, and the curls are still there on the top, but the balding around the middle is spreading.
21 weeks old
You had your first Halloween, and Daddy had his first birthday as a daddy! You were going a little monkey for trunk or treat at church, but the costume didn’t stay on long since it was so hot. We should have just bought you a Halloween onesie and called it good. Oh well, lesson learned.
I’m trying to think if there’s anything else, but I think I covered most things. I love you baby girl, to the moon and back. I love every moment we spend together!
Fill-in-the-Blank Friday, vol. 2
Another link-up with Lauren!
1. Something I swore I’d never do, but have ended up doing anyway is seriously, so many things in motherhood. I think everyone has an idea of what kind of parent they “want” to be, but I think it always ends up changing once you actually have the baby. I know I’ll do more things down the road as a parent that I swore I’d never do.
2. Something I’ve always wanted to do is go on a mission trip, do a triathlon, be a runner.
3. Something I have absolutely no desire to ever do is move far away from my family.
4. The best thing I ever did was move away when I went to college. It taught me that PA is where I want to be, where I want to grow old and raise my children.
5. When it comes to trying new things, I am a stubborn woman, usually. Sometimes I’m game, but if I don’t want to, you can’t make me.
6. One thing I’ve never done is tried any kind of drug. I’m too much of a chicken to break the law like that.
7. My favorite thing to do is watch Molly grow and discover something new. Rolling over doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re watching your child, your baby, do it for the first time!
Pumpkins & Halloween.
First of all, prayers for anyone who was in, or has family/friends in Hurricane Sandy’s path. We lucked out, with a small amount of rain, and lots of wind – no damage here, other than the power going out. The family was curled up in the living room with the fireplace roaring all day on Tuesday. Luckily, we were only without power for about 16 hours, but it definitely makes you think about how much we rely on it for our daily routines!
Keeping warm without power
We carved Molly’s first pumpkin! Well, Daddy did. I got a great idea from Caitlin to use Molly’s handprint cut out to carve the pumpkin! Initially, we were going to use the trace as eyes, but I thought they would be more appropriate to use as ears, and that’s what we did!
Daddy even let her feel the pumpkin goop!
All done!
On Sunday night, we had “trunk or treat” at our church. Basically, some members decorated their cars and handed out candy. The hubs, Molly and I helped out with the games inside. We weren’t going to get Molly a costume, but I had a 30% off at Old Navy, so I decided to pick one up for her – a monkey!
Daddy was supposed to be a tree – well actually I was supposed to be the tree, but Daddy wouldn’t dress up as anything, so I went as a Disney tourist and forgot to take a picture. Oh well, it was pretty boring. Daddy took Molly’s costume off pretty quickly though because it was pretty warm in the gym with so many people in there, and because someone called Molly a boy, and Daddy didn’t like that.
Also, Halloween is the hub’s birthday so we celebrated with homemade apple pie and cards, nothing fancy!
Happy Birthday Daddy!
Yesterday also marked Miss Molly’s 5 month birthday! I’m planning on writing up a monthly recap right. now. Hopefully it will be up early next week-ish.
Stay Safe.
Just a quick post today reminding everyone to stay safe if you’re in hurricane sandy’s path!
The hubs is on his way home today, he’s off tomorrow. We have candles, water, diapers (!), flashlights, non perishables and are hopefully ready.
Prayers for everyone in the storm’s path!
Fill-In-The-Blank Friday, Vol. 1
1. My favorite feeling in all the world is knowing the love that surrounds me, and I don’t mean that in an “I’m special and you aren’t” kind of way. I love knowing that my family, my daughter, my husband, my in-laws all love each other and love me.
2. My favorite smell is lilac bushes – it reminds me of my grandmother. Also, Molly’s smell. I think each baby has a specific smell and their mother can recognize it.
3. My favorite taste is carbs. Does that make sense?
4. The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen was Molly right after she was born. I know that’s hokey, but it’s true. With her red curly hair all wet – each time I give her a bath, it takes me back to that moment.
5. The best sound ever is again, we’re going to be cheesy – Molly’s laugh and babbles.
6. A smell that reminds me of my childhood is paste. Seriously, paste so reminds me of elementary school!
7. My favorite of all the senses is definitely sight. I love seeing God’s beautiful creations all around me.
I’m linking up with Lauren for Fill in the Blank Fridays!
It’s Official.
We have a new pediatrician! Last Tuesday, I met with a new pediatrician – the husband of the doctor who delivered Molly. I talked about switching pediatricians in this post.
He was exactly what I was looking for in a pediatrician! Now I’m kicking myself for not expanding my search while I was pregnant. Right now, the main things on my mind are starting solids, and possibly extended breastfeeding. He and his wife did baby-led weaning with their son, who is 2 1/2 now, and that’s what I’m really interested in doing with Molly. He also said that his son didn’t really get the hang of solids until he was 13 months old, and was just fine.
I asked about when he’s not there, and he said that there’s always another physician or physician’s assistant on call if he isn’t there. If it’s the middle of the night, there’s an answering service to call, and they’ll either answer whatever question I have, and if they aren’t comfortable with the situation, they’ll call him – he’s always on call. He just seemed really pleasant and nice and said what I wanted to hear – the partnership between patient and doctor is a partnership. No one knows my children better than me, and he knows that. He’s there to give his medical opinion about raising children.
I’m really excited to switch, and the worry that I would have to get Molly’s medical records from her old pediatrician was completely unwarranted, they’re going to call and have them fax the records to the new doctor. Whew! That was my biggest fear I think.
Do you tend to question authority or just take a doctor’s opinion for what it is?
(Almost) Wordless Wednesday, Vol. 6
For real, Molly can sit up pretty well on her own! You have to make sure she’s bending forward enough, but she’s got some really good balance! Forget rolling – which she still isn’t doing – we’re onto sitting!
La Leche Meeting
Last Tuesday, I went to my first La Leche Meeting. The local chapter meets once a month, and I had been meaning to go, but I totally chickened out each month for one reason or another.
Last month, I turned to their Facebook group for help with Molly’s terrible sleeping situation and I’m happy to say that they were kind, understanding, and helpful in making sure I didn’t loose my mind nor sanity. I felt like after that, I had to go to a meeting. I posted on the group that I was going and wanted to know if anyone was willing to let me follow them since I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going. Another woman responded, one I was actually (Facebook) friends with, I went to high school with her – we were even in Girl Scouts together way back when. She mentioned she didn’t have a car and would like to ride up with me if possible. I was excited that I had a buddy and that I couldn’t chicken out so easily!
I was nervous to go, but knew I needed to keep my promise to Sam, since I was picking her up and taking her. Even though I hadn’t seen her in 6 years, and we weren’t friends in high school, it was an enjoyable ride to the meeting, we talked the whole time about our birth experiences – she had a home birth with nearly no recovery!
We were the first ones at the meeting, but I’m so glad we went. I’m glad I had a buddy to go with and I’m glad I met new moms! There were about 10 moms with babies/toddlers, 3 older leaders, and 1 woman who was pregnant with her first. I felt like I found my people. We talked about nursing, starting solids, birth stories, motherhood and it was just amazing. There was advice, no judgement and just good conversation. And food! They had food! I loved seeing all the kids and babies, ranging from pre-teen down to 6 weeks old. It was great to be able to nurse and not worry about anyone giving you the stink eye. Coincidentally, there were 2 other girls born the same day as Molly! One in the same hospital! So weird! It was nice to talk to the moms and see where they were developmentally in comparison to Molly.
I am so glad I got to go and I am definitely planning on going each month from here on out!
Have you ever been to a La Leche League meeting? What did you think?
My Path In Motherhood 