When they say the time flies by, it's no joke! I cannot believe our baby girl is already 8 months old!
Eating---She's a big eater! Making Ellie's purees myself has been going great. I typically find the time to cook/prepare/freeze it all during naps, after she goes to bed or on the weekends while Steve plays with her. She's not a big fan of too many veggies on their own so I've been mixing them with fruit purees (heavier on the veggies usually). I need her to get servings of both anyway so it doesn't bother me much. She's not too interested in meats like chicken or ham and anything off mom or dad's plate is always better than what she's getting! Among her favorites are sweet potatoes, cinnamon apples, combos of avocado/banana or kale/banana/pear.
On the note of making your own foods, I highly recommend talking about your trials and errors with other friends who also make their own! It's helpful to get tips and new combo ideas from others---- just like swapping recipes :)
On the note of making your own foods, I highly recommend talking about your trials and errors with other friends who also make their own! It's helpful to get tips and new combo ideas from others---- just like swapping recipes :)
Schedule Change!---Our girl is very routine like her momma! I could tell you almost on the dot when she'd be hungry, ready for a nap, likely to wake up, etc. But a couple weeks ago when we decided to switch it up on her when she began refusing a bottle. We're thinking that with her eating every two hours that maybe she just wasn't hungry enough so willing to wait until she got what she preferred (aka, mom). Though I'm extremely grateful I am still able to nurse and absolutely love being with Elizabeth constantly, I know there are times a bottle will need to be or will be the only option. Particularly, Steve and I signed up for a marriage retreat with our church in a few weeks, room already paid for, and really didn't want to cancel because our stubborn darling needs her momma for food. Instead of her typical 8, 12, 4, 8 nursings (also getting solid meals at 10, 2, 6), we cut out the 2 feeding and swapped nursing at noon for solids. With her nearing a year and the inevitable weaning process, I figured now is as good of a time as any to steer away from eating every two hours (which to me seems crazy!). Surprisingly to us, she seemed to adjust to the new feedings rather well! Her napping was a little off in the afternoon for a couple days (I think because she was confused), but she's now transitioned to her new schedule quite nicely! She eats her solid meals about the same time we do to also (hopefully) help with the weaning process later on this year. After a few rough attempts by a relentless Steve, hiding momma and stubborn baby girl, she's now taking the bottle again!
For the record, moms, I did not come to this schedule change easily! If you're like me, I wondered how moms are able to wean their baby so easily or how I know she's actually eating enough! Rest assured, you're not the only one who stresses over this! I consulted with several friends about what their schedules were like and how much their baby was eating. Unfortunately, I found that the annoying phrase we hear over and over again sheds its light on this one ---"every baby is different." I've found the best I could do was give it a try and see how she did. I can only do my best for Ellie and that's what I will continue to do and try to focus on with both her schedule and every other decision Steve and I try to make for her.
Teething---Talk about wanting to start the new year off with a bang! Miss Elizabeth woke up New Year's Day with two adorable bottom teeth! The poor girl has had a horrible time with pain as they broke through and is quite hesitant to let our fingers anywhere near them but they're so adorable when she smiles big and we see them gleaming through. I just love them! She's been restless at night, a little more fussy, and chewing on her thumb---all signs before her first two teeth---so I have a feeling we may be seeing another tooth in our near future. Fingers crossed that we can make it through the next few months without her trying to bite me :/
On that note, breastfeeding is still going well! Our efficient little lady only eats for about 6-9 minutes at a typical feeding then wants to talk or play around. I've been pumping a little extra in the mornings before she wakes up for her oatmeal and to freeze at week-end. My goal is to make it to one year before I begin weaning her off the 3 nursing sessions she has. I'm honestly getting a little nervous about it already---partly because I'm worried of how she'll transition but mostly because I know I'll miss the bonding with her. Ellie is very busy and active (and she's not even crawling yet!) so while I'm nursing is the most snuggly she ever is and it's just 'Ellie and I' time. I cherish my quiet moments with my favorite person.
For the record, moms, I did not come to this schedule change easily! If you're like me, I wondered how moms are able to wean their baby so easily or how I know she's actually eating enough! Rest assured, you're not the only one who stresses over this! I consulted with several friends about what their schedules were like and how much their baby was eating. Unfortunately, I found that the annoying phrase we hear over and over again sheds its light on this one ---"every baby is different." I've found the best I could do was give it a try and see how she did. I can only do my best for Ellie and that's what I will continue to do and try to focus on with both her schedule and every other decision Steve and I try to make for her.
Teething---Talk about wanting to start the new year off with a bang! Miss Elizabeth woke up New Year's Day with two adorable bottom teeth! The poor girl has had a horrible time with pain as they broke through and is quite hesitant to let our fingers anywhere near them but they're so adorable when she smiles big and we see them gleaming through. I just love them! She's been restless at night, a little more fussy, and chewing on her thumb---all signs before her first two teeth---so I have a feeling we may be seeing another tooth in our near future. Fingers crossed that we can make it through the next few months without her trying to bite me :/
On that note, breastfeeding is still going well! Our efficient little lady only eats for about 6-9 minutes at a typical feeding then wants to talk or play around. I've been pumping a little extra in the mornings before she wakes up for her oatmeal and to freeze at week-end. My goal is to make it to one year before I begin weaning her off the 3 nursing sessions she has. I'm honestly getting a little nervous about it already---partly because I'm worried of how she'll transition but mostly because I know I'll miss the bonding with her. Ellie is very busy and active (and she's not even crawling yet!) so while I'm nursing is the most snuggly she ever is and it's just 'Ellie and I' time. I cherish my quiet moments with my favorite person.
Waving and clapping are her new favorite things to do this month! She waves at Bailey constantly! We are of course constantly coaxing her to do them both because it's just so darn cute! She's also been very fascinated with sticking her tongue out for the last couple months. We think it's the cutest thing! (as if we think anything she does isn't cute?)
I've been stocking up on next fall/winter clothes! With it being the end of the season, I've hit up several good deals! The Gap has some awesome deals on winter apparel right now. Let's just hope my estimate for 18-24 month clothing next fall/winter is accurate :)
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