Aubrey: 5 Months (22 Weeks)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Sleep: We're talking about starting sleep training after we move. You have no idea what's coming! I swear you have a little internal alarm that tells you to get up every morning at seven. You don't nap as often or as long as you used to, which is fine by me because then you're tired at night!

Diet: Mostly breast milk, some formula, and you're really wanting food to keep you happy. We're happy to oblige! Oh, and those Vitamin D drops...yeah, they're disgusting and stinky!!

Clothes: We very recently made the switch to 3-6 months sized clothes ans a lot of them are already too small! The cute outfit I bought you for Thanksgiving is a tight squeeze and your head barely fits through the head hole in the shirt. So we've been trying to buy warmer clothes in 6-9 months so you hopefully fit in them longer.

Diapers: We had to move you up a size in diapers due to many "blow outs" that shouldn't have happened. We bought this whole big box of size 3 diapers and they seem like they're not much bigger than the size 2 ones. Weird.

Crying: You don't really cry as much as you did earlier. Don't get me wrong, you still cry, but now you sort of make grunting noises when you're getting upset first. Exploring the different noises you can make I guess!

Likes: Paper, magazines, napkins. Pretty much anything that crinkles and can go in your mouth! You like watching football with daddy.

"Gimme that camera!"

Milestones:  You're really getting the hang of your hands. You've been transferring toys from one hand to the other for a while now, but your much better at getting them in your mouth instead of hitting yourself in the face. You can roll over now!! Instead of rolling all the way over (you can do it), you like to lay on your side. You're lifting your upper body up during tummy time, but can't hold it for very long. Maybe you'll be crawling soon? Last but not least, you can sit up unassisted for short periods of time and lean forward to play.

Difficulties: There aren't really any difficulties. You've been a lot more independent lately; its nice to start getting some time to get things done!

Postpartum: I thought I may have postpartum depression, sometimes I still think I might, but it may not be depression so much as it is stress. There's been a lot of stressful changes lately. I'm itching to get back in shape! I'm so bad about working out at home (like I have time) so the gym is definitely a better choice for me. However, you have to be 6 months old before I can utilize the childcare. So unless we can get someone to watch you, I don't go to the gym. I feel like I've been starting to come out of this rut of 'baby, baby, baby' and get back to some form of normality. I find time to do my nails, start craft projects, clean, cook, shave my legs!

 I LOVE YOU!

Aubrey: 4 Months (17 Weeks)

Weight: 15lbs 2oz

Height: 25.5" (90th percentile!) My goodness you're tall!

Health: Still postponing vaccines. You have a bit of a cough, but the doc said its nothing to worry about. Also, we learned that a lot of breastfed babies are Vitamin D deficient, so we now have a prescription for Vitamin D drops! Aaaaand, you may need an ultrasound done soon to make sure your spinal cord formed properly. The doctor noticed a dimple by your tailbone and just wants to be sure everything is fine. I think you're fine. I have the same dimple, so I think it's just a genetic quirk.

Sleep: Every morning you wake me up at 7:30am. We've been trying to set you down more while napping. Its been difficult on all of us, but there have been several times you've stayed asleep or fallen asleep on your own. Those times are awesome!

Diet: We started giving you some frozen smoothies a few weeks ago, but they seemed to upset your stomach even though you loved it! I just realized a few days ago, it was 'toddler' food, which explains a lot. So, we got some Gerber 1st foods for you to try. So far you're still mostly breast milk fed, so you've only tried the banana food, but you liked it! We also bought a small can of formula to try so I won't have to pump before you get babysat, but you despised it! I don't blame you, it was nasty! Very bitter, sour, and chalky. Your Grandma Chelton tried giving you coconut milk one time, which you took (probably because its sweet).
Update 10/30: You do take formula, but you prefer breast milk. Although its been nice when we're out so I don't have to worry about flashing people anymore. And by the way, in case anyone is interested, I've learned that to introduce baby food the correct way is to mix 1 teaspoon of baby food with 4-5 teaspoons of formula or breast milk. Then gradually replace 1 teaspoon of milk with 1 teaspoon of food. Oops!

Daddy feeding you bananas

Clothes: Many of your 0-3 months clothes are getting way too small, and as the weather gradually cools down I've been enjoying putting tights on you. Ahhh, I love having a girl!

Let me just say, I love this headband!

Diapers: We've put a halt on cloth diapering until further notice. Although I love the money we save, I just don't have the time or energy right now to keep up with it. Especially with you growing so quickly! But you've been fine in your Pampers Swaddlers; no diaper rash, no irritation, and gradually moving into a size 3 might I add! You little chunker! :)

Baby Gear: I've figured out how to use my Karma Baby sling! I can hip carry you since you are much better about holding yourself up! We've been using our stroller more now that we moved and you actually fell asleep facing forward in it. It has a 5-point harness, you're still a bit too small, but you weren't falling out of it haha We've also had you sitting in this bouncer with toys all around it, although I'm not sure what its actually called. An activity center?

Crying: Uhhhmmm, yeah...you scream. A LOT! It's very annoying. We're trying to teach you not to scream when you cry by giving you a stern 'no.' You only scream when you're really upset, like you want to nurse but we give you the pacifier to hold you off.

Likes: You still love Pocoyo, but we've been trying to introduce new shows, like Wonder Pets (which you like even though its the most annoying show ever)! And you love having something to chew on, whether its your hands or a toy.

Milestones: Sleeping without being held for some naps, enjoying tummy time, almost laughing again, and almost rolling over! :) You're getting to be so much more fun now!

Difficulties: Definitely teething. It seems you cry for no reason; its frustrating and saddening. I wish we could communicate better, but since we just started teaching you sign language it may be a while! 

Postpartum: Zack & I have gym memberships now, which is awesome! They even have a free childcare center, but you have to be at least 6 months to be taken there. Booooo!! So I get to go about every 3 days while your Grandma Chelton watches you. It's nice to get an hour to spend time with just Zack. Although I feel horrible leaving you with my mom because its not her job to watch you, its mine, and I don't like relying on her. It makes me feel irresponsible. So basically I can't actually get back in shape until the New Year; I guess that can be my "New Year's Resolution..." maybe. I'm not really into that kind of thing.

            

Aubrey: Three Months (13 Weeks)

I came across this lovely blog earlier this month and love how she chose to write about her son! And our kiddos are only 4 days apart!

Giant bear your daddy won for me at the fair before you were born

Weight: Probably somewhere in the 14lbs mark ???

Height:

Health: We (okay, mostly me) have decided to wait to vaccinate you until you can communicate in some way other than crying. I'm just very uncomfortable with the symptoms of an adverse reaction: high fever, irritability, vomiting crying for long periods of time (those are just some of the mild adverse reactions). You already get hot and sweaty when you sleep and cry, you already vomit after you eat a lot which is the only way I can tell you're stuffed, and cry for no reason at times. And let me tell you, you are not a quitter when it comes to crying!
You're very healthy! You haven't been sick yet :)

Sleep: You still sleep a lot! Not as much as when you were first born, but still! I've kind of figured out your sleep schedule:
Wake up
+1-2h eat, nap
+2-4h wake up and play
+2-3h eat, nap
+3-4h wake up and play
7-8pm bath time
+30m eat, sleep
You also sleep with us and sleep through night. It's just easier to feed you and keep you asleep that way. One of these days I'd like to be able to set you in your crib to sleep for a few hours then when you wake up take you back to our bed and feed you. But we're working on it still!

Diet: Momma's milk!

Clothes: We've recently had to do some shopping here and there to add to your massive collection of clothes! Come to find out most of your clothes were 0-3 months. Looking back when you were like one month old to now I cannot believe how much you've filled out your onesies!

Diapers: We've been cloth diapering, against your father's will, and it's a lot of work!! Your grandma Chelton has been making diapers for you. I feel like I'm always washing dirty diapers. Now I know why people have like 50 plus! Needless to say we've still been using disposables, but I'm soooo bad about remembering to buy them haha

Baby Gear: You outgrew your sling (Karma Baby) for now. You're too big to "cradle carry" and aren't strong enough to "hip carry" yet. We had bought an off brand of the Ergo carrier for your dad, so I've been using that. One of these days I want to make a K'tan wrap/sling using this tutorial. It's much less painful for me to wear you if the weight is distributed across both shoulders instead of one! And its impossible to feed you in the carrier pictured.

Crying: You pretty much cry about everything! Big cry baby. You've recently started screaming, literally, when you're very upset. It drives me nuts and breaks my heart!

Likes: Pocoyo, Pocoyo, and more Pocoyo! I've tried to get you to watch some BabyFirstTV stuff and Baby Einsteins, but you don't really tolerate it. I think the reason you like Pocoyo so much is because the characters are on a white background so you can see them better and the episodes are short. You can be screaming your head off and as soon as we turn on Pocoyo you stop. Its a life saver! We can even put you down in your travel crib while you watch it.
You also like when daddy plays with you, not so much me, but I'm just your comfort food, right? Haha Annnnddd you still don't like "tummy time" but you've been tolerating it better and holding your head up much better!

Milestones: Got you to take your pacifier and a bottle! Wahoo!! We can thank your Aunt Lyndsay for that! She even got you to fall asleep with your pacifier. We've discovered that when you spit up a lot, you're stuffed! But you still want the comfort of my nipple, so this is where the pacifier comes in.
You're starting to try to sit up, but you're still wobbly and need help. And today you laughed for the first time while you and daddy were playing!! Not a "coo" or a "ha" like usual, but an actual laugh with a giggle!! I wasn't quick enough grabbing the camera though.

I love you this big!

Difficulties:You are very clingy. I love it because I love cuddling with you, but I don't like it because I can't get anything done without you throwing a fit. Maybe I should've put you down more as a newborn instead of holding you, but you were just too cute! And you used to love your car seat and just fall right asleep. Now, not so much. Which makes going anywhere difficult. But I'm sure you'll grow out of it! It's really hard on me when I don't know how to soothe you. Not only does my patience run low and irritability run high, but it makes me feel like such a horrible mom. I can't wait to start teaching you sign language so we can talk to each other before you're able to speak!

Postpartum: I was taking advantage of having to time to myself at one of the free night time yoga classes on base, but your dad's work schedule has quickly out an end to that. The gym here has no childcare, so I'm out of luck! I guess I could do something at home, but its not really time away from you. I love you, but it was so nice to just have an hour to myself with no crying or screaming.
I have no idea how much weight I've lost, and I don't really care. I know my body is all flabby and has stored some extra fat (for breastfeeding). When I have time to work on it, I will! Because man do I miss looking in the mirror and feeling attractive.
This has really bothered me: I have stretch marks! I didn't have any until the day I gave birth to you. How does that even happen?! They're not bad, but still. And the ones I have from getting my milk supply crack me up! Those ones don't really bother me.

That smile melts my heart!

Welcome To The World!

It all started Thursday afternoon. I went to my 39 week check-up and my doctor did nothing out of the ordinary. I was 100% effaced and 1cm dilated just like the previous week. However, after my appointment I was having some cramping, which I know is normal, but just for fun I decided to time how far apart each cramp was. They were pretty regular, 5-7 minutes apart for 4-6 hours., meaning they were contractions. We went and registered at the hospital and went home. These weren't bothersome for me so I was in no hurry. After a while they were 2-3 minutes apart, then 1-2 minutes apart and had increased in pain enough for me to practice my breathing exercises. At about 6pm I called my husband at work and told him we should head to the hospital.

When we got there the Triage nurse said I was the same exact effacement and dilation as at my appointment and that I wasn't actually in labor. She said I "didn't look like I was in enough pain" and sent me home. Seriously lady?! How do you know how much pain I'm in just by looking at me? My pain tolerance is unique to me. She also told me I was wrong for timing my contractions because its not an accurate way to tell you're in labor. Say what?? To say I was confused and angry is a understatement. I was sent home with contractions every couple of minutes, my only knowledge of 'its time to go to the hospital' shattered, and in too much pain to sleep or walk.

I tried to sleep between contractions with very little success. At about 1:30am I was in too much pain to sleep, lay down, or sit down so I began leaning over our bed, rocking my breaths and deep breathing. There was some 'bloody show' and more pain. I woke my husband up and said we should go to the hospital. He loves his sleep and told me, half asleep, that he didn't think we needed to go. So, I impatiently waited until 2am and told him I want to go to the hospital. At 2:30am we were on our way to the hospital. Yay!!
 This time, a different nurse in Triage told me I was 4cm and 100 percent. About two hours after getting into a labor and delivery room and maybe 30 minutes of pushing we had our little girl!

I'm very proud to say I had absolutely no pain medication! People make labor out to be this terrible monster that is scary, long, painful, and dangerous. It was scary at first, could have been long, it was very painful but not like the media depicts, and was not dangerous in any way. Keep in mind that this is my personal experience. I focused on breathing like we learned in my childbirth class. Especially since they made me lay down (which was far more painful than standing) because they couldn't get a good read on the baby's heartbeat. It was a truly great experience for me. I had a wonderful nurse, husband, best friend, and doctor (my OB wasn't able to be there) supporting me! I'm convinced that the only reason my labor went so well and quick was because I went unmedicated. My body knows how to give birth even if I don't. I feel that had I gone medicated I would have caused my labor to go much slower and be far more painful. I was even able to get up and walk after I got my stitches. She was beautiful! My husband cried when he saw her, so sweet!

Epidurals can cause you to relax, which can cause you to either continue in labor (if you were tensing your muscles instead of letting them to their job) or prohibit labor from continuing. If it doesn't continue, you get Pitocin which causes stronger contractions that you may or may not feel (but your baby does). If you feel more pain you get another epidural, then labor slows, so you get more Pitocin, then your baby could go into fetal distress. Because even though you're not feeling these much stronger contractions, your baby is. This can result in a c-section. Remember this is my opinion. I'm not wrong or right. Every woman's pain tolerance is different as is their birth experience. If you get an epidural, good for you, if you don't, good for you.

With her Godmother :)

P.S. I was planning on having her in Phoenix, but I decided not to (long story) and I couldn't have made a better decision!