Profound, I know.

So everything I have to say today is going to come out sounding like a cliché but even though you hear things over and over, when they pertain to you somehow it seems so profound, ya know? Tonight as Ellie was in her bath I was struck by how amazing life is (profound, I know). From the moment we are conceived we begin to change. The first while it's mostly development as far as size and growing organs etc, etc, then once we are born we begin to learn the 'ways of life' mighty quickly, we continue to grow in size but all of a sudden we are becoming smart.... For instance, for the past couple weeks Elliotte has been able to sit on her own in the bath and consequentially has discovered splashing. The incredible pride I feel when I watch her entire face light up as her brain makes the connection between the cause and effect of hitting the water with her hands is kind of ridiculous... I am blown away at the amazing learning curve of a 5 1/2 month old. Every day she seems to find something else in this world that she wants to learn and she does it. Lately I've been watching as she scooches backwards, or how she will stand FOREVER, giggling and squealing while she holds on to the coffee table, or how she likes to grab the dogs tail and stick it in her mouth... Her eyes are always so interested in the world around her and I love to watch as I see understanding hit her face. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't believe how amazing it is that something can start out as an egg and a sperm and somehow becomes a person, a completely unique, beautiful, lovely person (profound, I know!).

5 Month Update

Elliotte's Size:

My little girl was weighed this morning and was a whopping 13 pounds 1.5 ounces... We have visited  a lactation consultant because I was concerned that Elliotte has not been gaining enough weight and I feel so much better now. I have been really concerned about her getting enough milk and it was nice to have been given some tools to help increase my supply. The lactation consultant told me that since Elliotte is happy, wets enough diapers and is super active I should not supplement with formula, or begin solids and not to go on any drugs to increase my supply (for now), but instead to take the next two weeks to try to work on my supply and only then if her weight is still not increasing enough to visit a doctor. I was worried that I would be told to instantly go out and buy formula and give up breastfeeding altogether, it was such a relief to see a professional who was not overly concerned. I suppose in two weeks if she has not gained we will be forced to take some action.

Developments:

This child is sitting like a boss! She is perfectly stable now and loves to sit and look at the world around her. She also has taken more of an interest in toys and likes to grab and shake and stick everything in her mouth.

She has started somewhat crawling backwards and I don't think it will be too long before she's a crawling machine. It's cute, if I put her on her tummy and stick a toy in front of her she will try SOO hard to get to it and usually ends up scooting herself backwards. 

I now know why Ellie has been drooling a ridiculous amount and can't keep things out of her mouth for a second....TEETH! Sure enough Elliotte has two teeth ready to pop out the front bottom of her mouth. You can see them and all that stands between the fresh air and those two pearly whites is a thin layer of skin.

Tidbits:

• Sleeping has been 100% better. Elliotte is slowly transitioning to a 7:00PM bedtime and will usually only get up 3 or so times to eat before getting up for the day at 7:00AM and luckily at least one those times is while I'm still awake. I could totally get used to only getting up 2-3 times a night. 
• Ellie has this incredibly high-pitched screech that she likes to use to show us that she's happy, I'm convinced it's the cutest thing in the entire universe. 
• Pretty much all of Elliotte's hair fell when she was a month old or so and it's finally starting to grow back.
• Elliotte eye colour keeps changing but I think she's going to end up with hazel eyes, time will tell.
• I have been teaching Elliotte some signs and I'm almost certain that she now can sign 'milk' to me!

I'm so amazed at my girl, she blows me away with all the ways in which she is developing and all on her own volition! I can't wait for what's next.

Got my hair done this week, it was LONG overdue. My babysitting situation fell through so I got to bring Elliotte with me. 

Picture taken on her 5 month birthday.

Sleeping beauty

My regal beauty of the pug variety!