7 Months | A Letter to my Daughter

My sweet Addie, Let's just not talk about me trying to do these on time anymore.

We've had a good month, but we always do.  You just make all of our days brighter, and I look forward to each and every new moment with you.  I can't really believe that you are more than half a year old. It truly does seem like yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting your arrival. But then again, it seems like you have forever been the fourth piece to our family.

You just keep developing more and more personality. You have an incredibly sweet, calm disposition, and are much more like me in that area than your dad or brother. Your dad still thinks you are going to end up rough and tumble like Ian, but I just don't see it. I think you will be all sugar and rainbows. But we'll see. We will think you hung the moon no matter what.

You always have a crazy case of bedhead in the mornings (and all day) and I love it. Makes me smile all the time.

This month had a lot of firsts when it came to solids. You started to really enjoy rice cereal, and tried peas, apples, and bananas. You seem to really like apples; you did not like bananas (see pictures below); and I'm pretty sure you abhor peas. The first time you threw them up about 9 seconds after eating them, but I kept trying just to see if it was a fluke. It wasn't--you gag every time.

Your favorite part of solids is the spoon. You've never wanted a pacifier, yet you've loved gumming stuff ever since you were born. So it is no surprise to me that you love the rubbery baby spoons.

Oh and you've had a few Baby Mum Mums. You grab for our food constantly, so its fun to give you something you can grab on to and eat.

Your grandma had a trunk of my old baby clothes saved that she gave me. You are wearing one of the outfits below, excluding the socks. Your feet were cold so I put on some socks that I thought would semi-match. Except they are way too big and go up to your knees.

Your fascination with your feet continues to grow. You especially love trying to eat them. Oh, and you're pushing up SO much more now. Instead of doing your superman thing when you are on your stomach with you arms flailing behind you, you realized that you could use your hands and hold yourself up.

These are just some strawberry jammies that I have wanted to get you forever. 

And the iPhone photos:

You are in the grabbing faces phase, for sure. I love it. It's precious to watch your hands reach out for us. All pain aside. ;)

You had your six month check up a little late. You were in the 60th-ish percentile for height, and the 20th for weight. You weighed 14lbs 6 oz. Barely doubled your birth weight. I so often worry that you are too small, but the doctor says it is just how you were made. And God knows way better than I.

More bedhead!

My bff Jenn came to visit us. She has, as I write this, already landed in Spain for the first of many stops overseas. She has always dreamed of traveling for an extended period of time, and she's actually doing it…with no set idea of when she is returning! So I am so glad we got that visit in. We took walks and talked and walked some more and talked some more.  She also brought you some super cute clothes, and this hat. I cannot wait for next winter. 

As I mentioned, you are really developing a personality, and one of the places that comes out most is in your crib before naps. You roll around and "talk" and squeal and flap your arms and legs. I hate hearing your cry in your crib, but if you are just playing we will often sit and watch you on the monitor. It's hugely entertaining. For us that is. Anyone reading this without kids probably thinks we're lame. I'm pretty sure you've figured out that the camera is there, because you are always looking at it. And your favorite thing to do this month has been this face….it makes us laugh and you know it. Because soon after you do this breathing-in-and-out-really-loudly thing (accompanied by the face) you start to smile.It was a revelation to me to realize that you have had very little exposure to sunshine in the last few months. It was such a bleak and long winter.  It's crazy to think that this nice weather we are finally having is the first sunshine you have experienced since you were itty bitty. We went to your brother's first golf lessons and you stood on grass for the first time!

So, not too crazy of a month. Which is great, after the last few months we've had moving, etc. It is incredibly nice to settle in and do normal things like take walks, and sit outside, and just hang out with each other. You, as you have since you were a newborn, love being outside. We have a little plastic slide set up outside for you that we are so looking forward to watching you play on. Not too fast though, ok? Stay a baby for awhile longer.

You bring us such joy baby girl. We love you and are so thankful to God for giving us the gift of you.

Love,

your mom

6 Months | A Letter to My Daughter

My precious Adalyn,

With the amount of pure love I have for you, you'd think I would be bursting with things to say right now. But all I can think about is the torn-up rose plant all over the garage (thanks to a dog), the sheets that need to be washed because a different dog threw up on them, and drying out your brothers backpack and papers which are soaked from him putting an open water bottle inside. I'm trying so hard to not let little annoying stuff like this steal my joy, so I am sitting down to do this instead.

So. I guess if there is one thing I would like to leave you with this month, it is that I pray to always choose YOU. Regardless of what mess or chaos arises throughout the day, my goal is to make sure you and your brother feel loved and important.

I KNOW I don't always do a good job with this. Especially with your brother, who now that he is six seems like he is twelve. But I am trying. And I will continue to try. I want you both to always, always know how important you are.

Some notes about this past month with you:

You are SO ready to move. You are constantly turning over and I can tell you really, really want to go somewhere! Once you get on your stomach you hate it, but you just can't stop.

You tried solid food (rice cereal) for the first time. And hated it. Well, you didn't mind it while you were eating it but you screamed for a good hour during your nap that followed.  I don't think it agreed with you. We decided to wait another month and try again. We gave some to you yesterday and you seemed to do much better with it.

We celebrated our first Valentine's Day with you.

I never understood the appeal of baby wrists until now.

You experienced your first snow. It's a good bet that if Texas is ever going to get winter weather, it's going to be in February. Your brother sledded the hills on a cookie sheet, but we only took you out for a few minutes here and there so you could see it.

You got your first "stand-up" toy. You still prefer to be held over anything (even this) but you do have fun with this little (big) activity center.

You started taking most of your naps in your crib. We were so hoping the transition to your crib for naps wouldn't be too difficult on you. And relatively, it wasn't that bad. But now, I find myself really missing that quiet time in your dark room, holding your sleepy, warm body while you rest. So occasionally I will still hold you for naps. Just because.

You found another toy you love. Whoever invited crinkle books is a genius.

Here's just a picture of you with your uncle. So you don't forget what he looks like. ;) Just kidding Jacob. Your uncle is and always will be one of my very best friends, but I so wish we got to see him and your Aunt Rachel more. They were some of the first people to meet you when you were born (and were in and out of the hospital all day helping out) but work and busyness and life has just gotten in the way recently.

Your Nuna Leaf is supposed to hold over 100 lbs. But seeing you in it now, compared to when you were a newborn….gosh you just seem so big.

You are such a sweet natured baby. You would be loved and adored regardless of your temperament of course, but as I look through these pictures I'm reminded of what a happy little girl you are. As I was talking with a friend today when picking up your brother, she commented that she had never seen you cry. And it got me thinking about your personality, likes & dislikes, etc. You really don't get upset a lot these days. For awhile you had terrible reflux, and that bothered you, but after trying a few things (namely me giving up chocolate!) it seemed to be resolved. You also used to immediately cry when put in your carseat. And for several weeks in your fourth month, you would scream and scream and scream when it was time for a nap. These days though, just about the only thing you don't like is being on your own for a certain amount of time (in a swing, chair, etc.) As long as you are being held, or worn, or paid attention to, you are content. And there are much worse things than having a baby that likes to cuddle. :)

Your dad gets the biggest smiles out of you.

And I get this: :) Must be the big camera I'm always wielding.

Here are the pictures from my phone:

A friend told me I would know when you were interested in food. I think you are definitely getting there. Here you are watching your brother have a snack...

And, we finally found a toy you like to chew on...

And, you love watching ceiling fans.

Your nursery is by no means complete, but I finally finished the mobile project I bookmarked back in June. And we hung some special things on your wall too. The bottom two photos are your birth announcement. That I never sent out….

For awhile there, while you were trying to roll over, you were always laying like this. It made me giggle every time because that is the only picture we ever got of you in a sonogram. You would never show your face.

You're very into grabbing faces right now.

You seem SO big in your Solly wrap now. Compared to this!

Your second attempt at rice cereal.

You and your brother. He calls you boo boo face, and likes to call himself your Bubba.

As I mentioned…easygoing. Doesn't matter what kind of get-up I put you in, you just go with it. Much to your dad's dismay.

I finally got around to making you some headbands (the wrap not the bow) and I might make you a thousand more when I have time.

In the second picture, you are wearing one of my sweaters from when I was a baby. Your grandma gave me all my old baby clothes for you, so I'm slowly working through them, trying to figure out what sizes they are.

My biggest regret over these last few months is that I haven't hardly touched your baby book. As I was reflecting over the last six months, and how incredibly fast they have gone by, I realized that I already cannot remember so many details about your first few weeks. Like, what did we do during out first weeks at home alone? After your dad went back to work, I can't remember the specifics of our days. And I guess it's not important, but I hate that I didn't record the little things. I know I held you, pretty much all the time. And pretty much got nothing done. But I am SO thankful that it was so, and not the other way around.

So my goal this month is to work on your baby book (and write your brother's year-in-review post). You have kind of overtaken this site as of late. :) I am so, so thankful though that I at least have my thoughts here from each month to help me remember. I hope reading them is as special to you as it was for me to write them.

Every night, when I pray while putting you to bed, I thank God for making you just for us. I ask him to protect you, and to help you grow strong, and brave, and healthy. I ask him to help me be a good wife and mom. I ask that you will always know how much you are loved. And I whisper to you every night what a gift you are.

I love you more than you will every know.

Love, your mom

My Baby Must-Haves, Part I

I've been really excited to write this post and share all these things that have been so incredibly helpful to me these past few months.  I know that with the gazillion baby products out there, it helps to have a starting point and recommendation when deciding what to try. Obviously I think my baby would still be healthy and happy without these products. And what works for us may not work for everyone. Hence the (My) part of this post title.  As an example, I bought a used Rock N Play after trying just about everything else to help sweet girl nap. Everyone told me it was pretty much the best thing ever in helping babies sleep, and yet my daughter still hated it. So take these recommendations as what they are…my must-haves, and try what you feel comfortable with! When I was preparing for Adalyn's arrival I always thought it was kind of fun to read about what other new moms were loving….because you know, we're all bound to find something that has that magic. :)

My Baby Must-Haves:

1.) Snuza Go

I'm putting this first, because, well…it's just awesome. This would be the one product that I can pretty confidently say ALL moms would love. I had never heard of it before Adalyn was born, and a local mom was selling one on a Buy/Sell/Trade Facebook page. Some other moms chimed in with how much they loved theirs and how much peace of mind it gave them about their baby's sleep safety. At this point I still had no clue how it worked, but she was selling it for about half the retail price and I thought it was definitely worth a try.

And I love this thing so much I would happily pay double or triple for it.

Here's why: it is basically a movement sensor/monitor; similar in concept to the Angel Care sensor pad that detects movement and sounds an alarm if none is detected after 20 seconds. But, Adalyn has been sleeping in a playard/bassinet in our room, and since the Angel Care pad requires a hard surface (like a crib board), we haven't been able to use it yet. Enter, Snuza Go, and therefore, my sanity. I am a super anxious person, and worry constantly about her safety while sleeping. This little bitty thing has been such a godsend, and I don't know why it is not more publicized. The Snuza Go is about 2 inches in size and just clips on to her diaper. It has a little rubber tip that lays against her belly and detects movement. Now, at this point when I started reading about it after I bought I was pretty skeptical. I have to put something on her diaper? While she sleeps? No way she'll go for that. No way it will stay on. But I'm telling you…she is a sensitive baby and this has never bothered her. And it's never fallen off.

The sensor has slipped to the side once or twice when the band of her diaper gets loose (and the manual does say an extra full diaper  can cause this to happen). If it slips too far to the side and the rubber tip loses contact with her skin the alarm will sound, and this has happened 2-3 times for us. But with how much we use it, I am totally ok with that number.

We use this thing for every nap, every bedtime. We take it with us when we travel. I even put it on her if I am going to nurse her and think she might fall asleep. I SO wish I would have had this from the get-go. There were nights when she was a newborn when I would fall asleep while nursing, and I would wake up with her asleep in my arms, often nestled down in the crook of my elbow. They're so unbelievably squishy at that age, with ZERO head control, and all I could think of when I would wake up were the "what-ifs…." What if she had slipped down further, underneath a pillow, blanket, my arm, etc. Makes me panicky just remembering.

So if you couldnt tell by the thousand-plus words I just wrote up there about this little thing, I highly, highly recommend it. Go buy it. You won't regret it.

2.)Latchy Catchy

As I mentioned earlier, baby girl is super sensitive. Especially when sleeping. Yes, I know, you're supposed to vacuum around them and all that, but when you want your baby to sleep you will do whatever it takes to avoid waking her. Or at least I will.

I swear, Adalyn can detect when someone walks in the room while she's sleeping. My moving from sitting to standing will jar her awake. She will wake to the sound of my sheets rustling. She will wake when her Sleep Sheep turns off.

So yea, I'm not about to throw doorknob noises into the mix. Before finding this I would spend a good 30 seconds carefully and slowly turning the doorknob so as to not make any noise. And it would still make noise.

You could of course make these, and I've seen them all over Pinterest, but we all know there's not a whole lot of time to sew with a baby. This was definitely worth my $9. Now I just need one for every door in my house.

3.) doTERRA Lavender

I grew up with a pretty "crunchy" mom, and I've always known that A.) essential oils are good, and B.) lavender helps you sleep. But I have never used oils until recently, and I have never really enjoyed the smell of lavender.

But I'm a big fan now. While pregnant I used a lot of peppermint (for headaches), terra shield (to keep those West Nile mosquitos away) and lavender (because sleeping with a big belly is really difficult).

Now, I use this on my wrists before each of Adalyn's naps and before I feed her at bedtime. If she's cranky while I'm getting her ready for bed I sometimes even just put the open bottle near her nose and she pretty instantly calms down. I'm sure the smell is simply a sleep association to her now. But whatever works! The fact that it is an oil shown to aid in sleep can't hurt right?

Thank you Mama :)

4.) Zipadee Zip

This little family-owned-and-developed product has exploded in popularity as of late due to an appearance on Shark Tank, but it was my mom again who suggested this to me (who has time to watch TV with a newborn anyways??) ;) It is a sleep sack/wearable blanket-whatever you'd like to call it-that is designed to help babies ease the transition from the swaddle.

And thank goodness my mom bought her one of these when she did, because this tiny girl started kicking out of her swaddle at two and half months. I was kind of surprised, because she always loved being swaddled and it was the only way she would sleep at night. But once that blanket started becoming loose, I started becoming panicky mom again, fearing that somehow the fabric would end up over her face. I was a little concerned about effectiveness, because the website says 5-6 mos is the average age to transition, but fears over loose blankets in her bassinet won out and I made the move.

Adalyn has always woke several times during the night to eat, but the swaddle would help her go back to sleep when waking in between feedings. When she started kicking out of it, she wasn't able to go back to sleep as easily. This thing was like magic the first few nights. I really thought there was some kind of sedative in the fabric…she would just pass out when I laid her down in it. Because she was so small though, it did begin to lose its effectiveness after a week or so, as she was still able to move and kick in it quite a bit.

Fortunately, we kept on, and put her in it religiously every single night. Now she loves it, and wears it every night, and for every nap. I read on their site that it was designed to help babies "feel their edges," similar to the feeling they had in the womb. They are completely enclosed, so they never feel too "loose," which I've heard can make them feel like they are falling.

Whatever it is, it has been great for her, and it is something that she clearly associates with sleep. Every time I put it on her she curls her arms up towards her face and begins sucking on her hands. (She would never take a pacifier, so this is how she soothes herself.)

If you follow them on their Facebook page youll see there are a number of reasons moms love these…they are warm, they are safe, they are easy to transition from carseat to crib (not an issue with us because Adalyn would never stay asleep anyways), great for doctors visits, etc.

We have two in each size, and though I do have to wash one pretty much every day, it is worth it. She is comfortable and soothed, and I know she is safely dressed. :)

Whew...I will be back with Part II tomorrow…I didn't realize how much I could talk (write) about four little products, so I don't want to overwhelm you with even more today! I would love to hear if any of you have tried, or plan to try, using any of these and what your experience has been!