7 Months

Ok, I'm sure there are other mom's out there who feel this way... but when Veda was six months old, she was still my little baby.  Now she's seven months old, SEVEN MONTHS OLD, and that just sounds so old to me.  As in she's now closer to being an entire year old than she is to being a newborn. Breaks my little heart.

Some are saying she's beginning to look more like mommy!

Routine/Schedule: Our routine has been pretty rock solid for the last seven months.  Every three hours we attempt to feed, play, nap.  Now that she's getting more of a mind of her own, she sometimes pushes back naps or feedings, but it's mostly on track. 

Feeding: We just introduced solids last month, s.l.o.w.l.y! For a few reasons, (1) daddy has/had a bunch of allergies, (2) my belief is "under one, food for fun" and (3) I just don't want to rush my baby :)  She gets one new food introduced each week and only eats about one ounce every other day.  So far she's had avocado, peas and pears.  She's starting to understand the whole eating thing a little bit better and seems to enjoy it.  She did have a bout of constipation that was painful for all of us, but that has since resolved. I'm trying to introduce water via a sippy cup, which has been difficult.  I took out the part of the cup that makes you suck and just drip a small amount of water in her mouth... which she then spits out.  Maybe it's too cold, she's used to breastmilk so I should probably make it room temperature.     

Say What?! You want me to eat solids?

Sleeping:  Miss thang has been waking up a few times a night, usually 2:30 & 3:30.  She just requires the pacifier and then goes right back to bed.  I'm looking forward to the day she can replace the pacifier herself.  We currently don't give it to her when we lay her down for the night though and she goes to sleep just fine without it.  I attempted the cry it out method this month.  She went right to bed on the third night with no tears.  We've since decided that she's only going to be little once, so if she wants to be held/rocked/bounced to sleep, we'll just do it.  We love her too much to let her cry, it's a bit ridiculous.  This child has hardly cried in her entire life.  I see a spoiled child in our future.  

Her naps have been a bit improved over the last weeks or so, taking a total of three, one hour (+) naps a day.  Mostly in our bed, but that's fine.  

I think you're supposed to be sleeping, angel!

Stats:  She hasn't been weighted since her six month check up.  I'm guessing she hasn't gained too much, maybe a pound or so.  She wears mostly six month clothing, but can still fit in to some 3-6 month outfits.  She is still in size 2 diapers, for now. 

Last month I mentioned she had a red patch under her chin, the pediatrician suggested Lotrimin cream as if it were fungal/ringworm.  He said if it didn't resolve, call him and maybe it's actually exzema and we could go from there.  It actually did improve and I can hardly notice it anymore.  I still don't really believe it was ringworm... maybe I'll never know.  

Struggles:  For me, I would say the sleeping at night.  We were so spoiled with her sleeping soundly since eight weeks old that now I'm like, what the heck little bug? Mommy needs to sleep before work! Not that she's up for hours, but waking up a few times to go give her a pacifier interrupts my sleep just enough for me to not feel completely rested.  Trust me, I'll survive.
I would say for Brett, it's getting anything accomplished during the days that I work! Veda keeps him pretty busy and I think it's nearly impossible for him to even get an email constructed/sent.  I'm sure it'll get easier when she's crawling (hahahah!).

Daddy DayCare, Breakfast in Bed

Milestones:  Veda is rolling over completely now, front to back/back to front.  Luckily she hasn't figured out she can do it continuously and get wherever she thinks she needs to be.  She's also sitting pretty independently.  She is beginning to reach and grab everything, nothing is safe if it is within arm's reach.  She's started to mimic sounds, facial expressions and activities.  For example, after daddy finished a bottle of Dr. Pepper, Veda held it and acted like she was drinking from it.  She's figuring out how to act to get her needs met.  She is an expert flirt, that's for sure!

Likes/Dislikes:  She loves being told she's pretty :) That always elicits a huge, toothless grin! She likes to be tickled/eaten.  She loves mommy & daddy devoting every second to her.  She loves bath time. She 'talks' non-stop, who knows where she gets that?!
She hates having her nose picked ;) I've tried every method I know possible, but she's real attached to those boogies! She also isn't a big fan of having her diaper changed when she's hungry.  

Just playing in her Exersaucer

Adventures: Well, we were supposed to go to Avila Beach as a family near the beginning of July, but decided since Brett was going for work, Veda and I would stay home.  Plus, we all know she would have won the bikini contest and it may have started a cat fight! ;) Then it seemed as though I worked a lot, I had a lot of classes to take/skills days at work so I had to go in 4 days a week, so I feel like we didn't do much.  Until... Nana came to town!!! Veda went to Malibu with daddy and Nana, went to the local pool and to the mall.  Then I had a couple of days off, so we went on a road trip to Santa Barbara, which turned into a road trip to Los Olivos.  We did some wine tasting and then had a nice dinner on the way back home, in Santa Barbara.  Veda was a trooper in the car and was very patient while the adults sipped on wine :)

Someone was excited to see Nana!

Hangin' at the beach! She dipped her toes in that COLD ocean water!

How we (the parents) are doing:  We are doing well.  It's still not especially fun/exciting for me to get up and go to work, but I feel like I've transitioned well.  I am so glad that I opted to switch to day shift! Brett leaves later this month to tape for BET's Comic View, so that's exciting!!! 

Uncle Cory asked if she is ever NOT smiling.  Not too often, she is a happy baby,
but there are times ;)

Looking forward to: Continuing to watch my little one grow, although I'm hoping it slows down, but it doesn't, does it? Nope, didn't think so.

And here is our monthly photo in our 12 month old outfit, it's going to fit one of these days :(

7 Months old

Happy Half Birthday!

Happy Half Birthday, Sweet Girl!!!

I'm going to say it again, and probably every day from here until forever, but time is flying.  I've already been back to work for FIVE weeks! I thought it was going fast when I was at home, but now its crazy and I hate it and I love it.  I love the changes she's making and how she is progressing into such an adorable personality, but I hate that she's not my teeny tiny baby anymore :(

Routine/Schedule: We've not changed a whole lot since birth.  She still sticks to a pretty predictable three hour schedule.  Eat, play, sleep.  We've been trying to get her bedtime locked in at 8:30, and by 'we,' I mean me.  Brett would love it if she stayed up til closing time and slept in, but I don't think that's the best idea he's ever had...

Excited to go to the pool for the first time!

Feeding: She's been changing up the feeding schedule a bit, and I actually am enjoying it.  She wakes up between 5-6 most mornings, we eat in bed and then she sleeps until almost 10am! That's when she next eats anyway, sometimes she wakes up and talks for an hour or so.  From that feeding, she eats every three hours.  I really try to make it home from work in time to breast feed her before bed, but that only sometimes happens.  This month we will introduce a few solids.  Slowly ... since daddy had so many allergies.  She's been exclusively breastfed thus far, so I think we've probably eliminated her being highly allergic to most things, so that's a relief.  But, you never know! "Under one, foods for fun" is the motto I'm living by, breastmilk is the real deal for this babe.   

Waiting for Daddy to get out of the shower and listening to him sing

Sleeping:  We've hit the 'Four Month Sleep Regression.' At five/six months. She was born early, so I guess that's normal.  Evidently this phenomenon is due to babies converting to an adult sleep pattern and their brains not knowing how to handle it.  In addition to taking in so much new information and developing their brains, so it's a good thing.  

She is much better at napping, in her crib now.  She takes a good morning nap and afternoon nap, but fights the evening nap.  We try to put her to bed around 8:30PM (it could be earlier, but then I would never see her on the days I work, so she's up late because I'm selfish).  She sleeps until 5-6, feeds and then sleeps until 9:30ish.  With the sleep regression, she's started waking up multiple times a night, fussing for ten seconds until we give her the paci, and then back to sleep.  It's nice that she goes right back to sleep, but it's also annoying because none of us get quality sleep.  Oh well, this will pass and then she'll be 18... 

Stats: We had our six month check up today and Veda is growing like a weed.  She is now up to 15 pounds, 10 1/2 ounces and is 25 1/2" long, both are between the 25th-50th percentile.  Her head is in the 75th percentile... daddy's little girl ;)  She tolerated the shots like a champ and has been napping quite well today.  I hope it's not shot related and is instead a big girl thing, we shall see.  We packed up all the 3 month and 3-6 month clothes, so she's strictly wearing six month outfits now.
I also asked our pediatrician about a red/pink spot she's had under her right chin.  It doesn't seem to bother her and we weren't real sure if it was something we needed to get checked out or some sort of birthmark.  He thinks its ringworm/fungal.  I don't know where she would have gotten that and it doesn't look like ringworm to me... so we're trying an antifungal cream for 2 weeks.  If nothing changes, he's fairly certain it is eczema.  I wouldn't be a  bit surprised if it's the latter.

Struggles: I don't feel like we're struggling with anything right now, although my husband may disagree.  His career choice is such a rollercoaster, he's been working really hard to accomplish his dreams but I know he's frustrated because he still hasn't made 349827459847 billion dollars.  I keep reminding him that it really doesn't matter, because we're happy and have a relationship unlike anyone elses and I wouldn't trade that for the world.  

Going to work isn't easy when I have to leave this!

Being a Shark with my daddy on Father's Day

Milestones:  Her biggest milestone that she met, is rolling over.  She's such a sweetheart, she waited for my day off to show us she could do it! We actually missed the first one because when I went to get her out of her crib in the morning, she was on her tummy! She can't roll front to back, so she gets real frustrated after a while. We're working on it.  We're also working on sitting up independently, right now she just kind of folds in half :) She recognizes her name when called, found her feet, chews her fingers all the time and is the happiest girl, constantly smiling and giggling!

Playing in my Exercauser

Reading my crunchy book while hanging out in the MamaRoo

Still love my playmat!

**New Category**
Likes/Dislikes: Veda is becoming more 'vocal' about what she likes and doesn't like.  She loves bath time, playing with daddy when he pretends he's going to drop her, listening to daddy sing, watching basketball (or anything with a lot of action), looking at her reflection in the mirror, playing with her crinkle book, playing in her exersaucer and having both parents present.
She doesn't like having her diaper changed, having the sun in her eyes, how long it takes daddy to get a bottle ready on the days mommy works, or being alone.  

Adventures: We've been to the local pool for a swim, which she loved; to a friend's 3rd birthday, where she was on her best behavior.  Daddy told her he was going to show her the Universe and took her to the Griffith Observatory; and recently we met some coworkers for lunch and play at Dave & Busters.  She is so sweet to everyone, letting them hold her and smiling at them.  Everyone tells us she's such a good baby, and she really, really is.  

At Griffith Observatory with Daddy

At the Burbank Pool with Henry

At Dave & Busters with coworkers

How we (the parents) are doing:  We are doing well.  This coming weekend Brett has the daunting task of hosting a bikini contest in Avila Beach.  Luckily I don't have to work, so Veda and I are going to tag along, although we'll probably skip the contest.  I love Avila Beach and I never need much persuading to go back to the Central Coast of California ;)

With Mommy on the 4th of July

Loving Daddy Daycare :)

Looking forward to: Nothing! I want time to slow down! I'm so sad that she is growing so fast.  I want to be excited about her becoming a big girl and learning new skills, but I love this stage right now.  I can see her brain developing every day.  It really is incredible.  

And in case you forgot... I was trying to think of a cute way to capture her growth over the next year, so what I've decided is this: I bought a dress that's size 12 Months and I plan to put her in it every month until it fits.

5 Months

Veda Belle has been rockin' our world for FIVE whole months now! I can hardly even remember life without her, she really completes us.  We wasted so much time sleeping before she made her debut, I feel like we are so much more productive now that we have a little one depending on us.  That being said, lets get to it...

  

Routine/Schedule: I'm all about routine and nothing huge has changed since day one really.  We are still on a three hour schedule of eat-play-sleep-repeat.  One major change has been me going back to work.  I returned to work, on day shift, this last week.  It's been an adjustment for all of us, that's for sure! Veda is currently taking advantage of her daddy because she's got him wrapped around her little finger and she knows it! It's nice that Brett can stay home with her the three days I work and then I can spend time with her/her and Brett on my days off.  Brett and I can compare and exchange notes in order to make us better parents and a better team.  

I'm a happy girl!

Feeding: She is usually/supposed to eat every three hours.  However, when mommy is at work, she 'screams like she's dying' after 2.5 hours, so sometimes daddy has to feed her a little early.  This is just one of the things she's doing to take advantage of him, but he knows now and has been able to distract her to stay on schedule.  Don't worry peeps, she is not starving.  

The cool new bib my Uncle Cory got me!

Sleeping:  Well, as you may remember, I was debating on getting a larger swaddle vs. trying out the sleep sack.  We decided to try out the sleep sack, for a week... she would not sleep through the night so I put her back in her *too small* swaddle and she went back to sleeping 8-10 hours/night.  I ordered a larger swaddle and that's what we're currently using.  It's still an adjustment for her.  Every time we introduce something new, it usually takes her a couple of days to fully adjust.  This swaddle allows her to move her hands up to her chest (rather than by her side) and she seems to get confused as to why she can't get her hands to her mouth.  Then she gets mad and fusses until we *GASP* give her her pacifier.  Yes, she finally understands the pacifier!!! She does not get it all the time, just with sleeping.  I do not want her to have a paci forever, but it will come in handy in restaurants and whatnot.  

Napping is getting better!  I can now sit and rock with her (with the pacifier) and she'll drift off.  It's great! We also have set up a little 'nest' utilizing her boppy so we can put her down while she sleeps (not always for a long period of time, but enough to switch the laundry, do some dishes, etc).  If she wakes up from her nap before I think she should, she'll usually go back to sleep when I give her the paci and shush her a bit. 

Trying out the sleep sack... and taking over mommy & daddy's bed

Stats: We don't have an MD appointment until next month, but at my Breastfeeding Support group, she weighed in at 14lb 9oz.  She's growing and getting that round face and chubby thighs that just kill me! 

She's able to wear her 3 month clothes still, along with 3-6 month and I'm beginning to transition her into some 6 month clothes.  

Struggles: I shouldn't consider it a struggle, but it would be nice if she'd sleep through the night again.  She only seems to wake up the nights when I have to work the next day... silly girl! 

Speaking of work... yeah so I'm back at work, 3 days a week.  It's actually not that bad.  I was pleasantly surprised that my brain came back pretty quickly! Since I've been on maternity leave, our hospital has (finally) gotten computerized charting, so I'm real behind on that and have to take a class next week.  The hardest part, aside from the obvious - missing my family, is pumping.  It takes a long time to set everything up, pump, clean everything and put it away.  I feel guilty taking the time to do it, especially when my coworkers are busy... but I don't plan to stop breastfeeding any time soon, so I'd better just get used to it and keep pumpin' away.  

Also, I think Brett finally realizes why I'm always so sleepy and ready for bed early.  He had her three days this last week and this is the first time in eight years where I've seen him voluntarily go to bed at 9 or 10:30PM!  He's so entertaining to Veda, she must be wearing him out!

Milestones:  She has grown so much in the last month! I'm so impressed by her! She is such a smiler/flirt now.  She can hold her head up, she still bobs a little, but for the most part is pretty steady.  We've been working with her in the bumbo chair to build her core strength.  She also puts weight on her legs when held up, which is new, she was a wet noodle before! She is now a fan of tummy time and I swear this will be the month she rolls over... she looks like she wants to crawl and she somehow manages to get all over her crib at night - while swaddled! 

Sitting up in my bumbo like a big girl. 

Putting a little weight on my legs!

Adventures: We went to the Getty Villa in Malibu for my birthday at the beginning of last month.  We went with our good friends and their little boy.  It was our first time going and I had been wanting to go for a while.  It is much smaller than the Getty Center and didn't seem to take too long to get through it.  It has stunning views and I'm glad we went, but if I'm being honest, I didn't think it was the greatest thing ever.  

We had our biggest adventure to date this month, too.  I really wanted to get Veda home to meet my grandma Grace.  She has Alzhiemer's and I'm always worrying about her health.  I know she and Veda will never remember that they met, but it meant something to me to get her home ... so off to Iowa we went.  We took a redeye with a pit stop in Dallas, TX.  I was so nervous the night of the flight, I was pacing back and forth and what do you know? Veda is a natural born traveler.  Really... she did great! She met all of my brothers for the first time and my sister-in-law and nieces and nephews.  She also met some of my aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  She was such a little ham, smiling at everyone who held her.  She was a little trooper! 

Layover in Dallas, TX

Daddy's girl, in the airplane

Heading back home after a fun trip in Iowa. 

Hanging out with one of her cousins, Hunter

Meeting my new friend, Alice.  Thanks for making the trek ladies!

Realizations:  I guess I realize that going back to work isn't so bad.  I definitely had an 'aha' moment at work the other day though.  I've recently talked to two women who got pregnant after their first child was 4 months old.  I thought to myself, that would be hard to have back to back pregnancies, but it wouldn't be that bad.  Veda is a little angel, we could totally handle another one already... That is, until I went back to work and sitting in the restroom, suddenly remembered how hard it was to work when I was hugely pregnant, and then thought about having to go home and be hugely pregnant and take care of an infant.  So I ate an entire package of birth control pills... kidding, but seriously... um baby numero dos will have to wait!

Just chillin'

How we (the parents) are doing:  I think we are doing fantastic.  We're adjusting to all the changes that we are faced with quite well.  Brett is impatiently waiting for his career to finally blow up (its happening, this stuff takes time).  We're in a good place right now.  

Really enjoying my days off!

Looking forward to: I think this week we are going to take Veda to the neighborhood pool and introduce her to the water! I'm really pumped about it! Oh, and next weekend I have a four day weekend, so that should be fun!

And in case you forgot... I was trying to think of a cute way to capture her growth over the next year, so what I've decided is this: I bought a dress that's size 12 Months and I plan to put her in it every month until it fits.

... these photos coming soon ...