I want to cry when I'm tired too.

I feel like we're shifting to the patterns prescribed for a 6 month old already.  I know, every baby is different and there isn't a clock that they look at and say "oh, today is my 6 month birthday, I need to start behaving like _this_ now".  I'm just saying I'm glad I read ahead a little.

The past few days after daycare Avery has been rather unhappy and not her normal talkative and pleasant self.  She doesn't want to eat oatmeal or veggies, just suck down some bottle and cry.  She's rubbing her eyes, so I know she's tired, but I do believe we're hitting over-tired.  From there she's ready to go down by 8pm (6 months olds need an average of 11 hours of straight sleep a night hmm).

Her naps at daycare have shortened, so I've asked them to try whatever they can to get her to stay down a little longer during the day.  So even if she still wants to wipe out early, maybe it can be done without a half an hour of inconsolable screaming.

I do guess too this pushes me harder towards getting her acclimated to her own crib.  I won't leave her in the by my side sleeper while I'm downstairs for more than a few minutes and it cannot be as restful for her to sleep in the pack n play and then get relocated later in the evening.  Ok, there, I acknowledged it - but I am probably going to be slow to make this transition as I don't want to.  It might be good to try while my sister is here and we have an enthusiastic about getting up in the middle of the night to help with baby person available.

My little sweet pea

I ended up starting off with peas.  All went pretty well (except the fact that I think all bibs should be dark colors as to not make it an instant stain-fest).  After a few bites she made a bit of a face, perhaps too much of one flavor.  It did take a couple of feedings to get through the one small jar and I noted that she does like to have a drink after a couple of bites.  I also am clearly seeing how, if she is not hungry enough or too hungry, trying to sit down with food and a spoon is not a good option.

But since my last post, we have also opened a jar of sweet potatoes.  She seemed to be happy enough with them, but no distinctly different reaction than from the peas.  It is amazing how fast they learn to open up when the spoon is presented.  She continues to amaze me.

I've picked up a few other things for her to get a taste of in the near term, but I also have plans to make some of our own goodies and freeze them using ice cube trays, as I am not seeing the full spectrum of options based upon what everything says she should be able to try at this point.

Size wise we are one small growth spurt away from all of the 3mo and 3-6mo items going to the finished pile.  I have pulled out a couple of 6mo items.  It seems like she needs the length but not the girth, which is surprising since she was weighing and measuring at the 50th % for both height and weight at our last doctor visit.  As for me, I need to start watching what I'm eating as I saw the scale tick back up a bit.  I'm guessing this is partly due to the fact that we only have her on the breast twice a day to get what she can.

You're how old?

...and just like that, I have a 5 month old.  I think we will celebrate today by trying out something beyond oatmeal, the question is peas or sweet potato?

She wiped out on me last night at 9 while I tried to burp her, so I rolled with it.  I fully expected to be up in the middle of the night to feed her.  Instead the dogs had me up at midnight and 4am.  Avery, in the meantime, slept right through.

Big girl, big chair

The replacement straps I ordered for the high chair came and I didn't think they were going to work at first but after A LOT of fighting I managed to get them through.  Moving them to the taller option will be fun, but that is a ways off.  With the straps in, the whole seat scrubbed down, and the cover laundered, Avery was able to sit in her high chair for the first time last night while we ate our dinner.  I didn't feed her in the chair, but she did get to check it out and she seemed to really enjoy sitting there with us.  She still looks so tiny in the big chair, but I know it won't be long before she can reach every inch of the top and her legs will no longer dangle above the highest footrest setting.  5 months is only a few days away, and I am not ready for it!

I could do without for another year

I am reminded of the scene in Sixteen Candles where Sam's sister is about to be married and the mother says something to the effect of "I don't want to tell the whole church she has her period!"  Well guess what "church".  I had some pain a little while back, I guess that was ovulation, because it's definitely back.  I had some spotting once before too, but not something I'd call a real period.

This coincides with another drop in production - I'm getting so very little milk that I do think it's time to all but stop.  I will try to nurse her in the morning when we get up and maybe pump once during the day for now to see how long that lasts.

I'm sad about it, I've been sad that I haven't been able to make that the primary method for a while now.  There is this huge feeling of not being able to go back too.  I'm trying to focus on how much of a time savings it will be.  If we're up early in the morning it will be hanging out with Avery not feeding feeding feeding.  I won't need to be topless and freezing at multiple points during the day.

A slightly less free item

When I closed on this house I was still aglow with the newness of being pregnant (not that this ever faded).  I was very pleasantly surprised to come in after closing and find that they neglected to take (or throw away) a decent looking high chair!  I covered it up with a plastic bag and moved it to the basement for future use and was thrilled to have just saved $100+ by happenstance.

Yesterday, since we're starting to eat like a pro, I brought the high chair upstairs to give it a good scrub when I quickly realized 4 of the 5 straps are missing and the 5th one is caked with something and gross.  I ordered what I hope will work as replacement straps through eBay, but I guess my free high chair is no longer free, but $19 is still a very small price to pay.

Giggles and Rolls

This kid!  Last night we caught her first giggles while daddy was shaking her doll baby (it rattles).  Today as I reheated some food she rolled over from her back to her stomach in the pack and play!  Today we also made our third attempt with oatmeal and more of it went in the baby than on the bib or remained in the bowl - major progress!  Today we also spent a little more time in the exersaucer and maintained contentment.  It feels like I need to not look away for even a second right now.

First Taste of Food

Since we got the go ahead from Avery's doctor and the necessary supplies from Target, Avery got to have her first taste of oatmeal today.  She scrunched up her face a little and I'm pretty sure it all came rolling back out, but it was a good first try.  We can practice for a while with the oatmeal to make sure she knows how to navigate it to the back of her mouth - wouldn't want her loosing any of the yummy fruits when we get to try those out!

She knows more people than I do

There is nothing like realizing your baby knows more people than you do.  We made a run into Target and at the checkout we hear "Avery!  hello!" It was Miss Joyce from daycare.

Lucky number 13

Avery's 4 month appointment was a little late what with her actual 4 month mark being Christmas eve and all.  But we were at the doctor's yesterday, despite the cold weather.  I've known she's gained a good bit of weight but now we have proof.  Avery is now 13 lbs 2 1/2 oz, putting her in the 50th percentile and 24" tall also putting her in the 50th percentile.  Her head on the other hand is in the 75th percentile - and the doctor told me I have a big head too... so I have that going for me.

She just glared at the doctor and started crying when the doctor took her to weigh her.  It is early for her to not like strangers.  But after two shots I'm sure she'll remember the doctor for next time!