5 Months ALREADY?!?!?!?
Natalie turned 5 months this past Monday, May 7. With each month that passes, we’re amazed at how fast Natalie is growing and changing. Here are some (okay, MANY) updates:
- We’ve decided to accept co-sleeping entirely, since we all get better sleep that way. Tuesday I “side-carred” her crib to our bed. Basically, I took one side of the crib off, lined up the two mattresses so they’re the same height, and used bungee cords to attach the crib to the bed. The bed and the crib are very securely attached together, so she can’t get wedged in between the two. Having the extra surface of the crib makes having the three of us in bed not feel so cramped. Plus, I figure that getting her back into the crib at some point will be a little easier.
- Natalie had her first taste of solid food! Fittingly (since we affectionately call her our “little monkey”) she had banana. It was fun to watch her—she was very excited to put the banana in her mouth (well, really she puts everything in her mouth) but then wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. It didn’t seem like she liked the taste too much, either. Tonight we gave her some unsweetened applesauce, which she appeared to like much better.
- We’ve been using sign language, in hopes that it will make communication easier until Natalie can talk. Research has shown that if parents start signing around 6-7 months that babies start signing back around 9-10 months. So far, we’re concentrating on the signs for milk, change (as in diapers) and more. As Natalie eats more solid food, we’ll add the sign for eat.
- I can finally say with confidence that Natalie and I no longer have thrush! I think it’s been gone since she was 3.5 months, but I was so scared that it would come back that I’ve hesitated to call us “cured” for fear it would jinx us. It was a LONG battle (started when Natalie was 2 weeks old) and I’m so glad we were able to beat it and keep nursing. It took lots of medication, vitamins, herbal remedies, gentian violet, and a very strict sugar-free, carb-free, and dairy-free diet to overcome it. The pain for me was intense and for the first few months of Natalie’s life, I absolutely dreaded having to feed her. I had a lot of support from many of you who read this blog and I’m so grateful—otherwise I’m certain Natalie would be bottle-fed by now. I’m especially lucky that both my Mom and Chris’ Mom breastfed their babies and could offer understanding, advice, and encouragement. Not many women my age have that. I also regularly attend a breastfeeding support group that’s run by a wonderful lactation consultant. Anyway, THANK YOU to all who helped us through that difficult time!!
- The severe teething symptoms seem to come and go, but so far, no teeth have appeared. We’ll keep you posted!
- Natalie seems to be getting more dexterous by the minute. She reaches for things with such intent and determination. We feel so proud watching her explore the world and figure things out. Lately, she seems frustrated by the fact that she can’t yet crawl or sit up by herself. When I put her on her back, she rolls onto her stomach, pushes up on her arms and bends her knees. Then she usually whines and screams because she can’t go anywhere! If I flip her back onto her back (which she can do very well herself!) she will go back onto her stomach and do the same thing. She still loves to stand and can support all her weight. She just needs to learn balance.
- We’re very happy about our decision to cloth diaper! Laundering the diapers isn’t a hardship at all (only a couple of extra loads of laundry a week) and we don’t have any issues with leaks or diaper rash. The only “blow-outs” we’ve had have been with disposable diapers. Plus, cloth diapers are so much cuter!
- We’ve discovered that (no surprise) Natalie LOVES music. Grandpa Charles has been entertaining Natalie with bluegrass guitar playing—a video will be posted soon!
Phew, that was a long one…if you’re still reading, you get a GOLD STAR!! I’m sure it’s clear that we couldn’t be having more fun with our incredibly lovely daughter!
Natalie is AMAZING!! I can not believe how big Natalie has gotten, or how cute she is. Her skills amaze me… you need to get out your yoga ball! It was great seeing you guys this weekend, thanks for celebrating my birthday with me.