We’ve had such a busy weekend with a visit from Auntie Joanna, shopping at Target and a birthday party at Malibu Grand Prix. No, they wouldn’t let Abby drive the cars. Man.. how I would have LOVED to race on that track when I was learning how to drive.
After getting home from our outing today, Abby was on her mat trying so, so hard to roll over. This is the closest she’s come on her own which I’ve witnessed. So close…
Abby is 5 months old today! Most babies don’t have a 5 month checkup, but we were un-lucky(?) to have needed to visit the doctor last Friday. (Eyelid infection.. all better now!) She weighed in at 19 pounds, 6 ounces! WOW! No wonder my arms are getting so buff. If you like chunky thighs and arms, then you’d love Abby right now.
Abby has been working so hard on trying to roll over, she’s very close – but not quite there yet. She loves to be held in a sitting position and still loves to stand any chance she’s given. She sat without falling over for a few seconds yesterday, and when you count to three she tries to sit up on her own (from lying down)! (Counting to three then sitting up is something I’ve done with her on the changing table from very early on.)
Another new development is bottle feeding on her own. Abby very much loves to be in control of her feeding sessions and when not over-tired, she will feed herself. We still hold her and help her with angles, but it won’t be long before she masters this on her own.
She is cleared to start rice cereal, but we’re going to hold off on any solid food for now. We’ll let her begin to explore foods in another month and at her own pace. She does stare at us intently when we eat and would likely love to get her hands on anything we are eating.
Abby now plays with all of the toys in the Aquarium and just this week is stable enough to not need any extra padding. Her feet solidly touch the bottom and she loves to jump up and down now and again. She still enjoys the play mat and has really improved her fine motor skills and grabs for toys very deliberately and with ease. She has a very strong grasp and coupled with long fingernails often proves to be a hazardous combination for us grown ups!
She loves to babble, crack herself up and has found a higher volume. Abby loves looking at herself or others in the mirror and enjoys playing peek-a-boo. She’s most ticklish on her hips and belly laughs when you grab hold of them. 
We’ve been getting into a normal routine during the week, though we’re about to shake it up with our house project. We’re delayed a month already (okay with me), but soon we’ll be relocating ourselves to Grandma & Grandpa’s house for awhile. My only worry is that Abby is so used to lights and noise while sleeping that she will have a hard time (or get used to) sleeping somewhere more private and quiet. She’ll still sleep in the parlor once we move back in until we get the finish work done on the downstairs.
I’m a little late posting Abby’s 4 month summary as on the day of, I was puking my guts out. Yuck. I think someone gave mommy a very vicious stomach virus. I’m not a big fan of being sick but I’m certainly not a fan of tossing my cookies once an hour for 6 hours straight. I’m still recovering, but luckily I was able to accompany Abby to her 4 month checkup.
Metrics: Abby weighed in at 17 lbs, 12 ounces and 25.5 inches in length. Her height to weight ratio puts her in the 90th percentile, but her thighs? Oh her thighs are so chunky and I love them! Since her 2 month appointment, she has grown 2 inches and gained 3.5 pounds. She is starting to grow out of anything 6 month size and move into 9 month sizes!
Her favorite toy is the Eric Carlyle Ladybug followed closely by “The Worm”. When she’s on her back she has been kicking her legs up high, trying so hard to figure out how to flip over. She can move herself around regardless and it’s pretty much a guarantee that when we get her out of her crib in the morning, she’s done a complete 180.
When she does spend time on her tummy, she doesn’t immediately protest. She has been holding her head up so high that you can actually see her neck! If you look closely, I caught another new thing on film: drool.
When she’s not got a toy in her mouth, she’s usually sucking on her fingers. I caught a special moment today when she attempted to put her entire fist in her mouth! Generally it’s two or three fingers and lots of slobber. Babbling generally occurs with or without fingers in the mouth as well.
Her very new thing in the past few days has been playing with her lips. She has perfected the pout..
the twisted fishy…
and more pout. “How far CAN I stick my bottom lip out?” Pretty far! She also started smacking her lips and imitates chewing. She loves what we’re calling “The Aquarium”, which is a fish-themed exersaucer. She loves that she can stand up and enjoys looking at the toys. She doesn’t play with the toys very much yet, but is becoming more and more interested.
Someone is feeling better and has emerged a babbling baby. Proof? Every waking moment for the past 3 days has been spent talking. Loudly. Non Stop. Fingers in mouth & fingers not in mouth. Proof…
In the line of firsts, we’ve encountered another: Abby’s first cold.
There I was, trotting along just fine then WHAM! My first full week back at work, I was geared up and ready to go. I went to the gym on a Tuesday and felt great. By that night however, I had what felt like 2 golf balls inside my throat. My glands were swollen and to top it off, my body ached from the workout. After suffering with the nastiness that overcame my head for 7 days, I finally went to the doctors. I wasn’t sure what to take since I was still breastfeeding Abby. Finally found some relief in the form of yup.. antibiotics. Oh here we go again!
Though I was feeling pretty crappy, it didn’t even compare when I figured out that Abby got it too. I’d take 2 more weeks of the yuckies if it meant she didn’t have to suffer. She isn’t as lucky as I was and isn’t getting a round of antibiotics. All we can do for her is steam (with aromatherapy now!), saline, suction, and elevate her head. The poor baby gets coughing fits which turn into vomit sessions. We’ve taken to feeding her in our skibbies to avoid the amount of laundry we end up doing.
For someone who goes from eating 30 ounces to barely eating 6, it’s worrisome for this first time mama. So much for my smooth entry back into the working world! I think I’ve been home more than at work the past 2 weeks. Luckily I have a very understanding boss for which I am very grateful. I’m hoping next week will be “mama enters the working world, take 2″.
Happy Valentine’s Day! May cupid’s arrow find its way to your love this year. Look at all Valentine’s Day photos.
Abby, is 3 months old today! There were a lot of changes this month and she just keeps amazing us. Since we don’t have a doctor appointment this month, we’ll approximate her weight gain & length when she’s amiable to our prodding. We can tell you without a doubt that she has definitely doubled her birth weight! She didn’t spend much time in the 3-6 month size and is wearing 6-9 month (with some room to spare).
Abby has started swinging her legs up high and occasionally works on sitting up. She is okay with the bumbo for a few minutes, but rather enjoys sitting in someone’s lap. We’ve introduced some new toys to the baby gym which she has really enjoyed, though her favorite feature is still the wacky mirror. She grabs, pulls, and is starting to pull things into her mouth. Abby has discovered her fingers and absolutely LOVES them.
She’s starting to love peek-a-boo and when we strike at the right time a game induces deep belly laughs – complete with snorting! I have yet been able to capture this on video – somehow when I grab the camera, she just ends up staring at the iphone cover (it has a pretty design on it). Here is some video I was able to get of her talking a bit.
She is still solidly sleeping through the night *knocking on some wood*. Abby goes to bed at 7:30pm and gets up at 7:30am. It’s pretty awesome, and yes… I know how lucky we are. If you’re wondering, we read this book for guidance on sleep training. It worked for us but your mileage may vary.
We had a valentine’s day inspired photo shoot with our good friend this past weekend. More pictures will be available here soon. A big thanks to Abby’s Auntie & her BFF for the adorable outfits!
It was a great last month on Maternity leave, but mommy did have to go back to work this past week. As I predicted it was hard, there were tears, but I got through it. Some bonuses of going back to work: lunchtime workouts & eating whenever I’m hungry! I think Abby is having a great time bonding with Grandma & Grandpa R. She tries out daycare tomorrow – another big day for her! (okay, mostly for me)
As my maternity leave is rapidly coming to an end, I’ve been reflecting on the past year’s journey I’ve taken, from pregnancy to becoming a mom.
On Pregnancy
I found that once I was visibly pregnant, it was a topic of discussion… for anyone. Strangers, co-workers, family and friends. When it came to strangers, it was as if my bump was an open invitation to ask me personal questions and to pass on endless amounts of knowledge and advice.
In the ladies locker room at the gym for instance, in their towels and with a curling iron in hand, they proceeded to interrogate me with the usual and most common questions:
No really, I don’t want to stand here and listen to you go on and on about your birth story, in graphic detail. While it’s true that I had no freaking clue what was about to happen to me, I kind of liked the mystery and PG-ness of my ignorance.
No one touched the bump (without asking first). I had friends warn me of cute little old ladies in stores who will reach out and touch your belly. Somehow I avoided that awkward conflict – though I was completely prepared for if that moment ever did occur. I would just reach out and inappropriately touch them back.
I realize now that most women don’t talk in graphic detail about their birth experience because for one, every person is different and your choices of how you deliver the child into the world has somehow become very controversial and two, if you did – you would probably scare some of your friends out of having children in the first place. I’m just glad I was able to get through it – but in case I forget, here is how I’m going to improve if there is a next time:
Shortly after giving birth I went grocery shopping without the baby and I found myself looking around at everyone. Looking at who was looking at me, making guesses as to who would start asking the questions first when suddenly I realized – no one was looking at me. It was as if I were invisible to them. OH MY GOD! I was invisible again! It felt WONDERFUL! Finally, I didn’t have to fake smile my way through the advice on labor, raising a child, being pregnant, etc. Relief.
Until I go out with Abby.
On Being A Mommy
Abby is quite the conversation starter when we’re out shopping. I’m glad the attention is off me, but I have to keep my quick fire answers to the following questions:
I’ve had a great time making observations of people. First, no matter if Abby is dressed head to toe in pink, yellow, or brown – most everyone assumes she’s a he. It’s a fascinating study! I do want to ask people why they thought it was a boy – but I don’t. I’m generally shopping and not out for research. Occasionally I’ll come across a person who has considered that they don’t presume to know the gender of my child and ask “How old is your baby?”. The response to that would naturally lend a gender – to which I really appreciate and have added to my repertoire. The other fascinating observation is that pink is the universal color for girl (if you notice it). Not purple, not girly puffed sleeves in blue & white, it’s pink. I’m not surprised, I’m just annoyed.
When we’re not out on an Anthropology research mission, Abby and I are often home spending quality time together. Once we got through the relentless, sleeplessness first month I really began to enjoy my new life. This word “mom” is something I am beginning to identify with more and more. It didn’t feel like anything to me at first – “cow” came to mind. When she reaches out and grips my hand, cries when she watches me leave the room, laughs at my silly faces and calms when I pick her up, it makes me feel like “mom”.
Another word I begin to identify with more now that Abby is here is “family”. I have a family and my hubby has a family but the two of us together, it didn’t quite feel like a family. We got married and while some people consider that a family, it seemed like he was just my husband. But now… now, I consider us a family.
Another sappy yet real word I identify with is “love”. There are all different kinds of love in the world and I had yet to experience one of them: the love for a child. Oh how I love her! I love her so much sometimes it hurts. She is such a beautiful creature and I find it hard to take my eyes off of her. I didn’t really know what to expect but what I feel is tremendous and grand.
I know she’s going to be okay as I return back to work, but I’m savoring these last few days with her. Taking naps on the floor next to her rather than retreating to my bed, skipping the dishes to play and taking more photos.
Mommy & Abby
Not that there was any doubt that she was wasn’t my child… but this side by side helps me see what other people have been saying to me about our likeness. I see it now! She’s not entirely like me and I certainly can’t explain her incredibly cute dimple. I’m glad that she doesn’t have quite the cheeks or double chin that I had, wow I was a chubba chubba.
To me, she just looks like Abby and oh how I love her!
