Baby Girl Emma: Month Seven

This update is ridiculously overdue, and will be followed by her 8-month update, as she is already less than 4 months away from the big O-N-E.  To that, I say a big W-T-F, where did the time go?

 What's new? A TOOTH!  Emma surprised the hell out of me when one morning, she brought my hand to her mouth and showed me the sharpest little tooth poking out!  Her first tooth appeared on her bottom right side.

Stats: No doctor's appt this month, but Emma is probably around 21 pounds.

Hair: Still rocking the light reddish brown.

 

Eyes: STILL BLUE.  Never thought I'd have a blue eyed baby, but I don't know if these eyes are changing colors!

Clothes: 9-month clothes fit perfectly for pretty much everything.  She has a pair of 12-month jeans in her drawer and 2 12-month bathing suits.

 

Sleep: She's a rockstar.  She sleeps 7pm-6am and rarely wakes MOTN anymore.  When she does, it is usually a minute or two of fussing before getting comfortable again.  Even going to bed is pretty seamless now, rarely a cry - lots of moving around in crib some nights, but minimal fussing.  Naps are another story - she is a cat napper.

Feeding: Emma started to really eat solids this month, and by the end of her 7-month, we were doing two "meals" a day in addition to nursing (mornings, evenings, and weekends) and bottles.

 

Likes: Sitting up, playing with her little shape toys, going for walks in her stroller

Dislikes: NAPPING.

Mama Update: I finally started feeling like I really have the hang of this thing now.  I don't second guess every little thing I'm doing anymore (just every other, probably).

Milestones:

7.8.14: Scooting backwards!

7.10.14: First tooth!  Bottom right.  The second tooth, bottom left, came just a few days later!

 

Looking Forward To: More summer fun in the sun!! Pool time, river trip, and more!

Nicknames: Chicken, Chicken Girl, Angel Baby, Angel Girl

 

Baby Girl Emma: Month Six

 

What's new? I know I say this every month, but each month is more fun than the last!  Emma is now so interested in the world around her, it is truly a joy to spend our days with this little girl.

Stats: Emma was just under 18 pounds at her six month visit.  I'll come back and update this with her exact stats!

Hair: Emma's hair is still reddish and brown.  It is a very unique hair color and she gets compliments from strangers on it all the time.

Eyes: Big blue eyes! 

Clothes: Still squeezing into some 6-month, but lots of 6-9 and 9 month clothes already.

Sleep: By the beginning of Emma's six month, she was down to only one dream feed, and usually one short lived fussing wake-up a night.  I started to wean the dream feed around 5 1/2 months, and by just after six months, she was sleeping 7pm-6am.

Feeding: Emma will be starting solids soon!  We plan to do a mix of table food and purees to begin.  Avocado will be her first food!

Likes: Emma loves to "dance" in her Exersaucer/Jumper, sit up on the couch and play, and she loves her Marina the Mermaid toy.

Dislikes: Being overly tired - she is really such a good baby, most of her fussiness is related to her being sleepy.

Mama Update: Mama is doing great!  I finally feel like I sort of know what I'm doing.  I am, by no means, an expert - but if feels good to not be so completely green.

Milestones:

5.21.14: Rolled, back-to-belly, for the first time!

6.15.14: First time in the pool!

Looking Forward To: Starting food, and our family vacation with my parents and sisters next month!

Nicknames: Chicken, Chicken Girl, Angel Baby, Sweet Girl

Baby Girl Emma: Month Five

 

Would you readers be so kind as to vote for Emma in the Parents Choice Cover Photo Contest?  She is currently in 7th place!  We are so close, and would love Stress Case readers support! Vote HERE!

 

What's new? Emma is such a sweet soul.  She is always smiling, laughing, and looking at people.  She likes to watch TV (a little too much), but likes to watch people talk even more.  I can't believe she's been in our lives for almost half a year already!

Stats: No pediatrician appointment this month, but I think she's probably around 18 pounds.

 

Hair: Staying auburn, but she's losing hair!  Makes me so sad to see my little lady's bald spots!

Eyes: Still a blue-eyed girl - I think she might be keeping these stunners!  Who knows.

 

Clothes: She fits perfectly in her 6-month clothes, and even some 6-9 month and 9 month!

 

Sleep: We did sleep training a few days after her 4-month "birthday", at the suggestion of our pediatrician and one of the neurologist sleep specialists I happen to work with (we used the book, Sleep Easy Solution).  It wasn't fun, but it wasn't nearly as hard as I imagined and Emma's nighttime sleep is pretty awesome now.  She goes down at 7, currently has an 11pm dream feed, and then up at 6am.  Naps are a whole different beast...

 

Feeding: Emma still loves to eat, and I marvel at what a 180 breastfeeding did.  I went from literally wanting to count down the days until she would turn 1, to enjoying it and feeling so strongly about it.  More to come on that!

Likes: Playmat, sitting up in her Bebepod seat, hanging out in the kitchen in her high chair while Mommy cooks/does dishes/makes bottles, walks in her stroller

Dislikes: She doesn't seem to love facing forward in her stroller yet.  I'm wondering if maybe once she really masters sitting up on her own she'll be a little more comfortable.

Mama Update: Doing good!  I hate that I don't get to see her very often during the week, but love spending all weekend with her.  An earlier bedtime has also done wonders for our marriage (we actually have alone adult time again)!

 


Milestones:

First time sleeping through the night (except for dream feeds) - thank you, Sleep Easy Solution!

Looking Forward To: Father's Day!  We will be taking Emma in the pool for the first time!  Also looking forward to (and simaltaneously terrified of...) starting solids after she turns 6 months!

Nicknames: Chicken, Chicken Girl, Angel Baby, Sweet Girl

Baby Girl Emma: Month Four

  So super overdue, but have to share!  5 Month update coming soon, already!

What's new? Every month with Emma is more fun than the last.  She is so alert and interested in the world now.  She smiles huge when I pick her up from my Dad's house on Mondays and Wednesdays after work, which makes me so happy.  She has started grabbing for toys, and especially loves the star rings on her playmat that hang from the elephant.  She definitely knows who her Mommy and Daddy are, cause she is always staring at us when someone else holds her.

Stats: 15 lb, 9oz (75% percentile!  She was in the 5th when she was born!); 24 inches (27% percentile...Emma is short and round apparently, good thing she's cute!)

Hair: Getting more and more red, but still not as red as her Daddy's.

Eyes: They have lightened a little around the pupils, but still blue.

Clothes: She still fits in most of her 3-month clothes, but the onesies and pants are a little on the snug side.  6-month onesies fit great for the most part, pants and other outfits a little loose.  I anticipate she'll be in 6-months through the majority of the summer, because her growth has definitely slowed down a little bit, as expected at this age.  I have so many darling outfits for her in 6-month size, I'm excited to put her in them over the summer!

Sleep: This month was all over the place.  There were weeks she slept 2-hour stretches the entire night, and weeks she did a great long stretch at the beginning.  By the end of the month, she seems to be back to a 5 to 6-hour stretch at the beginning of the night, but we'll see what next week holds for us.

Feeding: Breastfeeding has changed so drastically.  I actually enjoy it now, as it is our time together to snuggle and it can calm her down easily sometimes.  Since I went back to work when Emma was 3 1/2 months old, I've been pumping so she can stay on exclusively breastmilk.  Currently pumping three times a day, and bringing home more than she needs, so stockpiling a little bit each day.

Likes: Watching TV (like mother, like daughter), being held in a sitting straight up position, holding on to blankets or her skirts (her holding on to the bottom hem of her skirts and dresses with both hands is maybe the cutest thing I've ever seen)

Dislikes: Being left alone, staying in one position for too long

Mama Update: Being back at work has proven to be both harder and better than I thought.  I really underestimated how much I missed my job, and I hate that it feels taboo to say that.  Like it means I don't love my daughter as much, if I also love my work?  I don't know, I am glad to be back because I enjoy it and it makes my time with Emma more special.  It also helps that Emma gets to spend time with family while I'm at work, instead of going to daycare.  I do miss my girl, though, and plan to take days off here and there just to spend time with her.

Milestones:

3.24.14: First giggle fit, laughing at Daddy playing with her in our bed.

3.26.14: Rolled, tummy-to-back, for the first time!

Looking Forward To: Going in the pool for the first time in a couple months, and some fun days I'm taking off to spend with my girl in May!

Nicknames: Chicken Girl, Little Love, Buns, Bunzo, Angel

How Long Will I Love You?

How long will I love you?

As long as stars are above you, and longer if I can.
 

 

How long will I need you?

As long as the seasons need to follow their plan.
 

 

How long will I be with you?

As long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand.

 

 

How long will I want you?

As long as you want me to, and longer by far.

 

 

How long will I hold you?

As long as your father told you, as long as you can.

 

 

How long will I give to you?

As long as I live through you, however long you say.

 

 

How long will I love you?

As long as stars are above you, and longer if I may.

Baby Girl Emma: Month Three

What's new? Emma is such a joy to be around (okay most of the time...)!  She smiles so much, and is so interested in the world around her.  She has started getting interested in the television, and being very vocal at night - "chatting" away for hours, sometimes!

Stats: No doctor's appointment this month for official stats, but she is about 13 1/2 pounds.

Hair: Her hair is definitely a bit more red, but looks much more red in photos than in person.  It has more of a red hue when in the light, and looks almost completely brown at night or in low lighting.

Eyes: Still blue and gorgeous!  They have actually gotten a bit lighter, so I'm really interested to see how the color will change.

Clothes: Emma is fitting perfectly in most 3-month clothes.  I just washed and put away all her 6-month clothes, as I think some of them may start fitting and I want to get the most use out of all these adorable outfits!

Sleep: Right at the beginning of her third month, Emma started waking up only once at night.  We went on a trip shortly after, and during that she slept awful at night.  Once we got home, she got a little better, but by the end of Month Three, she is waking up multiple times a night again.  I am hoping this is a short regression, as it is making me very nervous for going back to work in just weeks.  She naps really well most days, and while she takes good naps in the car and stroller, I find she is most well-rested on days where she gets at least one or two long naps at home.  She naps in her swing most often, and still sleeps in the pack and play in our room at night.

Feeding: After her two month shots, Emma had a few days where she was eating significantly less than previously, but since her weight gain had been exemplary, I let her choose when she wanted to eat by telling me with hunger cues.  There were a few days were she only ate 6 times in a 24-hour-period (she was eating 8-10 most days prior to that).  After a few days, she went back to her average 2 1/2-3 hours between feedings during the day.  Her fussiness while eating has greatly improved, and we are doing great with breastfeeding.  My supply dipped shortly after our trip - I think it was due to stress, being off our schedule, and a growth spurt.  Things seem to be back to normal now.

Likes: Lying on her back looking at the ceiling fan, tummy time for short periods of time with the boppy, the lambs on her swing (she likes to talk with them!), watching Mommy throw the O-ball rattle in the air in front of her

Dislikes: Apparently sleeping at night is not on her list of things to do as we wrap this month up!!  She has has given up the pacifier except for some select days, and is not loving being cradled like a baby in the crook of your arm anymore unless she is very tired.

Mama Update: Feeling good!  I am starting to really want to work out, but am terrified of it affecting my milk supply.  When I experienced a small dip, I realized how incredibly important it is to me for Emma to keep receiving exclusively breast milk, and it might be worth it for me to wait on working out at all until I am not as concerned.  I may start with jogging just a few days a week, and see if it poses an issue.

Milestones:

Huge improvement in head control - by the end of our vacation, Emma was holding her head up like a champ!

Looking Forward To: Passover and Easter!  I ordered her personalized Easter basket last weekend, and can't wait to fill it up with goodies.  We are also opening a savings account for little lady, and I plan to use all holidays as an excuse to deposit a little extra.

Nicknames: Angel Baby, Princess, Shmemma, Chicken Girl

Things Thursday: Things I Was Delusional About

1. All the projects around the house I was going to get done while on maternity leave.  I'm too busy cuddling with my love.

2. How I would start "sleep-training" my baby from day one.  Yeah right, sleep in any form is way too valuable to be picky.

3. How I would never think my baby was the prettiest, cutest, most adorable ever - there's no way she's the most beautiful.  Yes, in fact, she is the prettiest, cutest, most adorable, most beautiful baby I've ever seen.

4. That my house wouldn't get covered in baby shit all day, every day.  It's everywhere I look.

5. That I wouldn't casually talk about breastfeeding in everyday conversations.  It's hard when it may be the thing I have been doing most often every day for the past two+ months.

6. How I would never say "you'll see" or "just wait" to childless friends.  Oh, you'll see.  You just wait.

7. How you could look at a tiny little baby, and fall insanely in love in a moment's time.  Everyone told me about it, but you can't quite understand it until you're there.

8. That I would worry about how I could possibly love another baby the way I love Miss Emma.   I'm sure I will, but it is hard to imagine.

9. How completely awful I would feel about my body for the first few weeks postpartum.  I knew I would look pregnant still, but I didn't know how bad that would make me feel.

10. How much my medical knowledge with being a pediatric nurse would make me feel more prepared.  Ha.  It's so different when it's your baby.

Baby Girl Emma: Month Two

What's new? Emma smiles at us on purpose now!  She giggles, but only in her sleep, which is the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

Stats: Emma is a little growing rockstar!  She went from below the 10% percentile at birth, to the 50% for weight and length by two months!  Her head is 15 1/2 inches, which is on the bigger side - 79% percentile for my smartie pants baby girl.

Hair: Still unsure what color this little lady is going to end up with - in some lights, her hair is SO red, and in some lights it is still very brown.  We will see!

Eyes: Pretty blue still, but I am thinking they will be changing to green or brown.

Clothes: She is officially out of all newborn clothes!  Made me very sad to pack them away, but excited to start putting her in the adorable 3 month outfits we had waiting for her!  She is even starting to get too big for some 0-3, but fits pretty perfectly in 3 month right now.

Sleep: Emma has started to have better nights, starting at the end of her second month.  She has started sleeping for 4-5 hours stretches, which is amazing compared to the two hours of her earlier weeks.  During the day, she has good days and bad days.  Some days she naps for 2 hours 2-3 times a day, others she only takes little cat naps throughout the day.  She can put herself to sleep sometimes if we put her down drowsy, which is nice.  She has taken a nap in her crib one time (which I was inordinately proud about), but she still sleeps in her pack n play in our room at night, and rock and play or swing for most naps.  She also naps in her car seat and stroller when we are out.  

Feeding: Every three hours during the day, and when she wakes up at night.  She is a great eater, though she is fussy when breastfeeding at times.  She also gets very mad when you take the food away from her before she is done, which we do many times when she is taking a bottle to make it last longer and get her to burp throughout the feeding.

Likes: Cuddling with Mommy in bed in the early morning hours, swinging in her swing - especially with the music playing, looking up at the ceiling, tracking Daddy with her eyes, and staring at the toys hanging in her new activity gym.

Dislikes: Waking up from naps - she sleeps until she's quite hungry, she so always wakes up upset.  I'm hoping this is a phase!

Mama Update: I am feeling like myself, and it is an amazing feeling!  The increased sleep, along with getting in the hang of things makes for one happy Mama.  I am not looking forward to readjusting after going back to work, but happy to have another month+ left to spend with my little girl before my new phase of life as a working mom (something I am both dreading and looking forward to - promise to update on that).  I was able to get out for a girls' night this month, and it was so fun to be out (wearing a normal bra - it's the little things) and get a little buzz on with my girls.  I have totally become THAT Mom I never thought I'd be though - constantly talked about Emma, and checked on her via text with HH multiple times.

Milestones:

First social smiles!
No more newborn clothes.

Nicknames: Chicken Girl, Buns, Princess, Shmemma, Sister (no idea why I call her this, being that she will not be becoming a sister anytime soon)

And Then There Were Three

For those of you wondering why I fell off the face of the blogosphere, there is one big (6 pounds, 4 ounces to be exact) reason:

Emma Katherine

was born December 19, 2013 at 6:52 pm

at 38 weeks, due to an unexpected induction

weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces

measuring 19 1/2 inches

Somehow a month has both flown by and felt incredibly long at the same time.  One thing that's for sure is that this little girl has added so much joy and love to our life, and I can't wait to share more with my readers here at Stress Case.  I was not planning on taking a leave from the blog (I also wasn't planning on having her 2 weeks early, though!), but my intention is to come back full-force in the next weeks!  I will be sharing a detailed birth story, a one month (already!) update, the ugly truth about my baby blues, and much more about this little princess.  I promise not to let this blog completely become a "mommy blog", tough though it may be!  

New Years Baby Bumpdate: Week 36

36w3d

What's up with Baby this week? Little girl is rehearsing for her big debut - inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking her thumb, blinking and turning from side to side!

Symptoms? This week hasn't been too bad, but there was one night (36w2d) that had me tossing and turning because my hips were killing me throughout the night!  Heartburn is still a killer, also - I literally felt like I drank acid the other day at work, coughing up a storm and struggling to make it through the afternoon.

Gender? Baby girl.

Excited For? My final ultrasound (today!) to see how big this little lady is looking.

Maternity Clothes? Have switched over to casual tops with scrub bottoms almost exclusively, and the only non-maternity I can get away with outside of work is some sweaters, yoga pants, sweats, and big t-shirts to sleep in.

Sleep? The hip pain was a killer for my sleep, but luckily it only started waking me up early morning and wasn't keeping me up all night.

Movement? This past weekend was one of her most active.  She was moving and grooving all weekend long.

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.  I don't think it's going to be popping.

Missing Anything? My own clothes and shoes!!  I knew your feet could swell during pregnancy, and even grow, but I didn't expect to not be able to wear my favorite boots (or any of my boots, for that matter) this winter.  I had a minor meltdown (maybe I cried about it, whatever) when I realized there was no way they were getting on these feet.  It's strange because my feet don't really look swollen, but apparently they are.

Milestones?

36w2d Handsome Husband spent some time playing with Baby M through my belly.  They were poking at each other for nearly 30 minutes, and it was so fun to watch his face light up.  That night made HH more excited than ever, and he's been mentioning how much he can't wait for our little doll's arrival ever since.

Cravings? All types of fruit!

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 30 pounds, which officially makes me scared.  30 was what I was hoping not to pass, but with four weeks left until my due date, that is going to be impossible (obviously).

My, how I've grown!

C'est Une Fille: Another Shower for Baby M

In mid-November, on a gorgeous Southern California day, I was treated to another baby shower, this time at Cute Apartment's brand new place (yes, she moved and hosted a shower a week later - she's a superhero!), surrounded by my closest girlfriends, and hosted by one of the best hosts I know. 

 

Cute Apartment, the great hostesss

 

I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and excitement I can feel radiating from my friends about this Baby Girl.  That is to be expected from family (though still greatly appreciated!), but there is something special about the feeling you get when a friend seems like family by how much they truly care.

 

I'll let the photos do most of the talking, as I managed to remember to take some this time around!

 

I was happily surprised to see a headband making station for my little girly girl (okay okay, I know she could be a total tomboy, but until she can object, this little lady will be rocking a lot of headbands and bows).

 

Lovely ladies I've met through HH's journey so far in Law School

With the host herself, Cute Apartment

Me and Ms. Art Teacher

Twin Beauty School and myself

Giggling with Best Friend Swagger

Me and Ms. Smiles

A group shot we waited a little too long to take, as there are some pretty girls missing - but I love it all the same!

 

Sister Swimmer, myself and Gardening Mom - unfortunately Sister Singer had to work!

The love of my life, and my favorite Daddy-to-be, Handsome Husband

 

I am so grateful to Cute Apartment for throwing this gorgeous shower, and to all of my friends and family who made it to this shower (and my first one, as well, of course), and have been so generous with their gifts and kind words for our growing family.