Happy 6 Months, Nellie!

6 Month Stats

Weight: 16lbs, 3oz

Length: 26in

Eating: you're still averaging about a bottle of formula per day and I think it's helping your overall weight gain since my milk.  You moved up to 6oz bottles this month and will likely need more soon because we're having to give you a third "snack" bottle during the day.  The good news is that I am now pumping more than I ever have before so that's great news!  You had your first taste of real food this month and I'm sad to say you fell victim to "second child syndrome!"  Mila's first food was an organic avocado slice....your first food (while Mom was in the bathroom!) was a french fry!  I've yet to decide what we are going to do with breastfeeding but I think we may start weaning.  You just began your 6mo growth spurt, however, so we will have to wait to get through that since you are waking up every couple of hours again to eat.

Bedtime: you go down at night around 7pm and I am happy to report that you are in the same room as Mila every night.  Most of the time you sleep through the night now (hooray!) but you have started getting into this horrible habit of waking up, just blabbering and talking to yourself, at 5am every morning.  I love you more than the world itself, but that's a little rough, my darling. Especially since you go back to sleep after your milk snack and I have to get up for the day!

Awake:  you are such a happy baby and love to be around people.  You are able to stay awake for two hours at a time so it makes venturing out of the house to run errands so much easier. You have started squealing and "talking" all the time.  You are in awe of your sister and love to watch her.

Naps: just like Mila, you hit 5 months and hit the nap wall and are suddenly a horrible napper.  Right now a good nap for you lasts about an hour when it should be two.  However, if we CAN get you down sometimes you will sleep for three hours. Doesn't really make sense, does it?  You have started taking a pacifier for me, but not for Robert or Tori.  

Diapers: Costco switched it up on me and separated the 1-2 diapers so I went with the size 2 and they are entirely too big.

Clothes: you are such a tiny little peanut I haven't even put you in your 3-6mo clothes yet and I hope they still fit!  I finally realized it's time to move up because none of your pants fit and your long sleeves end at your elbows.  I guess your clothes will never get too tight in your middle (at least for now!).   

Favorites: you prefer to sit up now and if we put you on your back you will roll over to your stomach and push up so you can see.  You have started talking on walks and prefer to be around people.  You will listen when Mila and I read books but you're not too into them.  You are now able to bounch in your Exersaucer and will spend hours in it!  Weirdly, the only way I can get you to sleep is by "shhh"ing to the tune of "Jingle Bells."  I don't know why it works but every time I do it I am able to get you to sleep.

Development: you have two teeth!  The middle bottom two have poked their little white caps through and will be full on teeth any time.  You don't take well to teething and the amber necklace isn't working as well as it did with Mila.  You chew so hard on your little hands that you have bite marks :(  and you're fairly fussy.  You also bit me while nursing and I almost lost my mind and threw you up in the air out of shock it hurt so bad.  Also, after that one roll from your back to your stomach last month you never did it again...until this week and now we can't keep you on your back. You haven't done a complete rollover yet but I know it's coming.  You can sit on your own now and rarely fall over; you can also lean forward to grab something and then pull it back towards you. 

Little Nell Bell,

Happy half birthday!!!!!  What a difference a month makes! Look at how much bigger you look from 5 months to 6 months!  You are probably the happiest baby I have ever see and you just keep getting happier! You are squealing and talking so much lately, it's so fun to see and hear.  

It's so cute to see you and Andi together.  I love that Mila had Kira to spend her days with and you have Andi.  Tori is still as fantastic as ever and loves you girls so much, not to mentioning having the patience of a saint.

Mila, however, is still your best friend.  You cannot get enough of her are in constant awe of her. She is almost as equally as obsessed with you except when you try to take some of her toys (and it begins...).  Sometimes I have flashes into the future and I get so excited for the bond the two of you will share and the fun times our family will have.

We introduced you to solid foods this month and so far you have tried a french fry, an avocado and a banana.  Of course you mainly loved the french fry, the other two you were unsure of.

In other extremely important news, I was able to get your hair up into a little ponytail and it was absolutely adorable.  Side pony!!!!

You love being at the beach and, unlike your mom, love playing in the sand.  I am always worried that you are going to get a sunburn since you are so fair skinned but I don't think we are ever going to be able to contain you indoors.

We love you so much baby doll and can't believe how fast time in flying.  I just want to bottle up everything about you and save it forever.  Good thing we have so many other things to look forward to with you.

Love,
Mommy

Silver Boobies - Nellie!

I cannot believe we have made it this far and that I hit my goal!  I am truly in awe of what the female body can do; not only grow a child but nourish it as well.  I was amazed by the number of times I thought my milk was drying up only to find out that I would pump more the next day than I ever had.  It was definitely not easy and took some time for my body to regulate but I am glad that I stuck with it.

I think the moms that breastfeed longer, especially the working moms who have to pump, are even more amazing that they are given credit for because it's hard work.  Other than having non-fatty milk, thankfully I never had any plugged ducts, mastitis or any other issues (other than Nellie biting me recently!).  I will always treasure the bond that it made between Nellie and I and the quiet moments we shared but they really were no different than the moments I shared with Mila.

And, because it's just so interesting, here are some facts of a six month old breastfed baby:

4 months

• By giving your breastmilk for the first four months you have given your baby strong protection against ear infections and respiratory tract diseases for a whole year (American Academy of Paediatrics; Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center; Duncan.B et al).
• By breastfeeding for at least 4 months you have reduced your baby’s risk of SIDS (Mother & Baby).
• You may notice a further slowing of your baby’s weight gain around now. Between four and six months, breastfed babies tend to gain weight slower than their formula-fed peers, although growth in length and head circumference are similar in both groups (Moody et al). "Gradual weight gain, although this is not necessarily even, and a dropping-off of weight gain should not be taken in isolation to suggest that feeding isn't going well" (Johnson).
• By 4 months, babies have entered a significant cognitive milestone; their brains are going through an enormous growth spurt, which accounts for all of the increased alertness and distractibility. A baby who used to feed intently will now pop off and on the breast, turning to look when Daddy or big sister walks into the room or if a noise catches her attention. 
• Babies tend to want to breastfeed more often when they are feeling emotionally unsettled. If you are returning to work it may trigger increased feedings (Rapley and Murkett 2012). 

6 months:

• You have greatly reduced your baby’s risk of developing allergies by waiting until at least now to introduce solids, this is particularly the case if you have a family history of allergies.
• By breastfeeding for this long you have protected your baby’s intestinal tract so that it can now begin to produce antibodies. These antibodies coat the intestines and protect him from foreign proteins and allergens.
• Continuing to breastfeed alongside the introduction of solid foods not only ensures good nutrition, it actually helps with the digestion of those other foods (Rapley and Murkett 2012). 
• After the first six months, breastfed babies tend to be leaner. Compared to their formula-fed friends, breastfed infants gain an average of one pound less during the first twelve months. The extra weight in formula-fed infants is thought to be due to excess water retention and a different composition of body fat (Dewey. K). Expect your breastfed baby to gain an average of one pound (1/2 kilogram) per month from six months till he is one year old.
• Your baby will grow around one-half inch per month from six months to one year.
• By breastfeeding for 6 months you have given your baby significant protection against eczema during their first 3 years (Chandra et al).
• You are now in the 1% of mothers who have breastfed for this long! Bravo! (BBC 2012).
• You have also given your baby a 19 percent decrease in risk of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia and a 15 percent decrease in the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center).

Mila's Big Girl Bed

We moved Mila into her big girl bed this weekend mainly because I figured if we didn't she might be 15 and still be sleeping in a crib.  Everyone told she would begin to climb out when she was ready to make the move but she never once tried to escape. I think the crib was her safe place and I am happy that removing one side hasn't changed anything.  Every time I can't find her I look in her room and there she is, playing with her animals or just talking to herself. She loves to have Nellie sit in there with her too.  She is SO proud of her big girl bed and wants to show everyone that comes over.  

Now she knows that she can get out of bed she has began to stall a little at night. The first night, after going to the bathroom before we went to bed, she came running out saying she had to pee (she didn't) and then two minutes later she came out again because she "forgot to give Daddy a kiss good night." Surprisingly, other than that, she has done very good about staying in bed but I am waiting for the night when I open my eyes to find her creepily staring at me on my side of the bed :)

Mila's 1st (Half) Year of School!

Today was Mila's last day of her first (half) year of preschool.  She was so excited to go to school she woke up at 6am and then didn't take a nap all day :)  They had a bounce house at school and a special snack and got bubbles from a little boy, Nolan, in her class.  It was a half day of school today and Monday starts "summer school,"  which is basically the same thing as regular preschool but less learning and more fun (pajama day, magicians, gymnastics, bounce houses, water play, etc.).

We went to Mila's open house a few weeks ago and how surreal that was.  Robert said it best: "I'm at my kid's open house....I feel so old!"  Mila was so proud of herself and loved showing off her portfolio and classroom.

We received her spring evaluation from the school, which I didn't even know they did, and it was all pretty much positive!  The scale was A (always), P (progressing), E (emerging) and she scored all A's except on three items "removes shoes and/or put shoes back", "sing a simple song/nursery rhyme" and "sing ABCs."  I immediately asked her to do all of these things and she was pretty much able to do them so I think they just don't want to admit she's perfect.  And then Robert called me a tiger mom :)

Mila has really learned so much since going to preschool and is so funny. Her best friend is Lexi, another little girl that gets dropped off around 715am as well.  Her teacher said that Mila started out the year scowling a lot but had come out of her shell towards the end of the year and was such a happy, sweet little child.  Whereas she started crying when she had to go to preschool now she cries when I pick her up.  She is such a spiritual child and loves going to church and telling me, "Jesus Loves ME, mama."

Here is the summary note from her teacher:  "It has been a joy to have Mila in the white room.  She enjoys her time at school and has made many friends. One of her favorite activities is dramatic play where she "cooks" lots of yummy meals for her teachers and peers.  Mila is confident and expresses her wants and needs to others.  Please continue to work with Mila on recognizing her numbers.  God bless you and have a great summer!"

Great job little Mila!  Navy (3 year old) room here we come!

Happy 5 Months, Nellie!

5 Month Stats

Weight: 14 pounds,  4 ounces (approximately)

Length: 25 inches (approximately)

Eating: we introduced formula this past month and you now have one bottle per day, mixed half and half with breast milk.  You have stepped up to 5oz and almost always finish them. We are still nursing before and after work and some nights once or twice.

Bedtime: just in the past couple of nights you have been sleeping in your crib and last night you slept through the night!  As I write this you are in your crib again, this time with Mila in the same room (previously she had stayed the night at Nana's) so we will see how that goes.  You usually go to bed around 7:30 at night and wake up around 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning.

Awake:  you are such a happy baby and love to be around people.  You are able to stay awake for two hours at a time so it makes venturing out of the house to run errands so much easier. You have started squealing and "talking" all the time.  You are in awe of your sister and love to watch her.

Naps: you are still doing great on your naps.  Sometimes you want to be put down sooner than normal and it's easy to tell because you give great sleep signs (rubbing your eyes, fussing, etc.).

Diapers: you are still wearing size 1-2 diapers from Costco and they fit just perfectly 

Clothes: you are still in 3 month clothes and they fit great but I have recently got out the 3-6mo size but haven't started putting you in anything yet.  

Favorites: you love looking at people and laughing when they laugh.  You love this Mozart turtle and are even able to smack it on your own. It plays songs and lights up and you are just mesmerized by it.  Just this week we have given you a couple of frozen teething rings and you seem to really like those.

Development: you are weeks away from sitting on your own and are already able to balance on your own with a Boppy behind you.  You found your toes this month and you rolled from your back to your front yesterday!!!  Everyone is still commenting on how strong you are and you love to stand up and look around, sometimes it's impossible to get you to bend to sit down!

My little love bug,

Today we are both celebrating birthdays!!!!  One of us looks younger than she is and the other is aging gracefully....I'll let you decide which is which :)

Another month gone by!  You are such a delightful, happy little baby and such a joy to our lives.  The days are long but go by so fast.  

You have developed such a little personality this month and are an adorable little goofball.   You can now roll both directions, although you haven't done both at the same time.  You have started sitting on your own for a few seconds at a time and can handle even longer with the Boppy behind you.

You found your toes and love to hold onto them but I've never caught you trying to put them in your mouth. You're too much of a little lady for that, I guess.

You love to make your presence known and have start jabbering all the time.

You are in absolute awe of your sister and just think she is the best thing since sliced bread breastmilk.

She thinks you are pretty great too and has become very protective of you.  If she is spending time with you she doesn't want anyone to take you away ("no take her!").

We celebrated Mother's day just a few days ago and I got every thing I need and nothing that I don't.  I'm such a lucky mama and am really relishing in all of my special moments with you. I know firsthand how fast they go by and I just want to eat you up all the time.

Our nanny, Tori, is absolutely amazing and surprised me with this frame, picture and note for Mother's Day. We seriously hit the jackpot with her.

Everyone says you're my twinsie, which I love.  I don't necessarily see it but I will take the compliment that I am downright adorable just like you.

Daddy, Mila and I love you oh so much and couldn't be happier.

Love,
Mama