Well last night was the first night ever of no feedings during the night. I put her down at about 7:15pm and although she was very tired, it was about 8:00 by the time she fell asleep. She hasn't cried more than 5 minutes in a long time and in fact many times doesn't cry at all when she's put down, but she's having to learn all over again how to soothe herself now that she's sleeping on her belly. Paul wanted me to go flip her, but everytime I do she just flips right back, and I don't want going to sleep to become a struggle again. Naps have gone fine today so I think she is learning how to fall asleep even if she rolls onto her belly. Well she made not a peep from 8pm until 5:30am. I contemplated nursing her and putting her back down, but that didn't work on Tuesday so I decided to see if she'd go back to sleep and sure enough she cried about 2 minutes and went back to sleep. However when she woke up again at 6am I decided that was a big step of progress that she was in bed for almost 11 hours (and slept 10 of those). I nursed her in total darkness (for 35 minutes - she was hungry!), but she was WIDE awake so I let her get up for the day.
In the last week there hasn't been any change in terms of nursing. She's holding steady at how many ounces she takes by bottle every day (20-24). I am trying not to let it bother me. At least she isn't continuing to decrease how much she takes from me (yet anyhow). I tried her on solid foods again yesterday as she sees the Dr for her 6 month appt on Dec 30, and at the 4 month appt the Dr had said to start solids so I thought I should give it another try before her appt (she turns 6 months a week from today). She gets really excited when she sees me eating or drinking and looks at me like aren't you going to give me some? Well I tried the rice cereal again and again she made a face like I just put the most nasty stuff in her mouth and why would you do that to me Mommy? Should I just wait longer or keep trying? She likes to lick things like a cracker or a banana or a piece of bread, but of course she's not really eating when she's doing that.
If you can't already tell, I just love this girl to pieces. I keep trying to think of a suggestion for what Paul could get me (as he really would like an idea from me), and I honestly cannot think of anything. I just am so thrilled to finally have a sweet baby in my arms. I have waited so long for this. What more could I ask for? I love snuggling with her, tickling her, "talking" with her, seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, and seeing those looks of love in her eyes. For months I've done a ritual of putting her (open) mouth up to Daddy's cheeks a few times a day as I say "kiss daddy." I rarely think of having her kiss Mommy although I've also had her kiss Grandma, Grandpa, etc (Uncle Maurice wasn't exactly appreciative of slobber on his cheek, LOL). Of course I kiss her hundreds of times a day. Well this morning she aimed her head in the direction of my cheek and planted a "kiss" on me. She was beaming after she "kissed" me. I just about started crying it was so sweet (and slobbery!). Even when she's napping and I'm busy working on schoolwork (I've been working on the new course this week), it just feels different than before. I know I'm not alone in the house, and I love that feeling.
I took two short videos of her laughing this morning. It's probably best not to look but just listen. The visual part is awful as my arm was bouncing around. It's a challenge to tickle a baby and film a video clip at the same time! I wanted to share the sweet sound of her laughter though. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUKQKIPvtps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSH_2GzmY8A
2 comments:
I would just keep trying with the cereal. It might take her awhile to get used to the taste and texture.
I really believe that the it is important to get them to like the cereal because they get alot of iron from it. Tyler hated it and had to have supplemental iron and you don't want to go down that road. Now that she is almost 6 months you can feed her more things. I would recommend mixing it with a fruit. I even used the juice to mix the cereal and then mix in baby food fruit. Say pear I used pear juice and pear baby food. I tried to stay away from alot of banana due to constipation. I hope this makes sense b/c I am working extra at work (to pay for IVF), and I am so tired.
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