5 Months with Ellie

Talking changes/development
We are still getting some additional noises and it seems like her cries are starting to change over from the infant screaming to be less hysterical (at times).  She is getting better core strength and can sit in an exersaucer with a little help from a pillow propped behind her.  She can sit in the bumbo seat 
for a little while without getting fussy.  

She is starting to outgrow some of her earlier items like the swing and the rock n play, which is good because we don't have room for the old items plus the new ones to be out at the same time!  She is grasping and reaching for things now and can hold onto toys for a lot longer than she used to.  She has started to hold on to her bottle and can grasp it for about 10 seconds at a time before it falls, I feel like she will have it down by 6 months and may be able to feed herself then, crazy!

Smiles and giggling are the norm now instead of the exception.  I love seeing her so happy!

Working Mom

I had previously written about my struggle to work from home 2 days a week while caring for Ellie.  Well it got to the point where I just said "this isn't working" and I asked my boss to move to a reduced hours schedule.  3 out of 4 weeks a month I work a 27 hour week and the 1 week of the month end close ( I am a financial accountant) I work the full week.  I am not psyched about getting less pay (I will get 80% of my current salary) but I will definitely cherish the days I am home with Ellie and don't have to worry about work.  I think this will be a good thing for our family too because I can do the errands on those days that we don't have time for during the week/weekends.  It will be a challenge that I have to tell people "not I can't make that meeting because I don't work Tuesdays/Fridays" I just hope people respect my schedule.  

Sleep

As I mentioned above has outgrown her rock n play, so we have moved her over to sleeping in her crib soon.  It has been a bit touch and go with the crib because she slept so well in the rock n play and now she is waking up at least once a night.

A week ago she had some sleep regression - one night she woke up at 1 am then 4:45 am then up per normal at 6:15 am.  The next night she woke up at 11:45 pm, the next night at 4 am and for now she is back to her normal schedule.  She has actually started to want to go to bed earlier, so I try to put her to sleep sometime between 7-7:30 pm.  I always wondered how I would know when to start to put her to bed earlier, but there is no doubt when the fussing starts that it is bed time!  I try to put her to bed as soon as she rubs her eyes for the first time and that usually helps to ward off a crying meltdown.  Brian and I have been switching off putting her to bed (it used to just be his job).  But I had to work late a few days and it was the only time i got to see her at night so I gladly took on the task.  Then Brian had to travel to Baltimore for a few nights so I did it then too.  Then he cut his finger and had to get 4 stitches so I am still putting her to bed :)  I don't mind doing it.  Sometimes I nurse her to sleep, which I am sure all the books say is a no no at this age, but I like doing it and she doesn't have to have it that way every night so I assume it is ok!

Just this past week we have started to let her "cry it out." when going to bed and for some naps.  It isn't easy, but the first night was the worst and now she usually falls asleep after about 10 minutes of crying. 

Feeding

At her 4 month appointment the pediatrician mentioned trying to introduce some rice cereal within the next month.  My first thought was "no way my baby is too young for that" but then I realized in a month she will be almost 6 months old!  It has been so easy so far just giving her breast milk only - I didn't have to think about other options, so this will definitely be a change. I need to get things like spoons and she will have to start wearing bibs!

Body

I have achieved (for now) what my husband refers to as "high school skinny" which means I am down to a weight I haven't been at since high school.  It is nice and makes me want to continue breastfeeding until Ellie is 10 years old so I get the additional calorie burning benefits ;)  I am a little afraid once I stop breastfeeding I will put some weight back on, but we will cross that bridge once it comes!


I haven't been great about going for runs, but I do go for 2 long walks a day with the stroller and Winnie on the days I am home (which is 4 days a week) now that the weather is nice so I think that is good enough exercise for the time being.  


Since I am burning a lot of calories breastfeeding I don't find it super necessary to go back to my old running schedule of 3-5 miles at a time. I think that would cause my body a bit of strain right now since I still losing weight from breastfeeding alone. 

Feelings/thoughts
My best friend told me a few weeks ago that she is pregnant and I am super excited. I miss being pregnant and I am excited to watch her belly grow and tell her my experiences with being pregnant and having a newborn.  I hope she has a girl so that Ellie and her can be best friends too!  

Pictures!  So I tried to do a Easter photo shoot a week before Easter and it did not turn out so good...

 

Luckily we tried again Easter morning with better results! 

 I think she enjoyed the white bow and black shoes better!

My sister in law dropped off a box of my niece's clothes that she has outgrown so I have been taking pictures of Ellie in her new outfits!   I bought Ellie some new sunglasses called "babiators" ha.