Exhausting Week

So, I haven't written in a week and I thought it time to update you all.

First off, Riley is now 6 months old!  We will be posting her pictures as soon as we take them.  Ha, yes...we're behind on that.  This weekend we will be taking them (only a week late!)

Riley has had another little cold this week, running nose, congestion, cough, etc.  No fever though, thank goodness.  Every day she seems to be doing a little better.

This past Monday was Riley's 6 month check up at the doctors.  She got a number of vaccines, including the flu vaccine.  Who knows, maybe her sniffles this week are because of that!  We were surprised when they weighed Riley to learn that she's lost 1 pound since her 4 month check up.  The doctor isn't overly concerned, because developmentally, Riley is doing great.  Something just isn't right between mother and baby though and we have to figure this out.  So, this week they have me supplementing with formula to see if we can up her weight.  We have another appointment on Monday to find out how she did this week.

It all sounds easy enough right?  Wrong.  Because I've been nursing Riley, she wasn't getting any bottles.  We did try a bottle when she was 1 month old, but only kept that up once a week for like a week or two...then stopped.  It was too much of a pain in the butt.  With me home, what was the point?  Well, after 6 months of nursing she wanted nothing to do with a bottle this week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday she fought me so much.  Finally, yesterday she took a bottle like it was nothing.  We both smiled.  It was so exhausting hearing her cry and be miserable over this but it was so worth the fight.  I held my ground and she finally gave in - a girl's gotta eat!  She's eating like a champ now.

From here on out we should be fine.  I'm glad she's now used to formula and likes it.  I think I may have to continue supplementing until she's a year old, which I'm actually OK with.  Also, it'll be nice that others can give her a bottle during the day if need be.  I know the Grandmothers will enjoy this.  :)

So anyway, it's Friday.  Aaron is home for a three day weekend, and we both are happy to have some time to relax.  All of us are tired.

More later, enjoy your weekend!

Few Changes

One.  Aaron is now working one night during the week.  This leaves Riley without her Daddy for about 32 hours straight.  We can handle it though.  Like I told Aaron, it just confirms that our decision to have me home with Riley, is a good plan.  I can be here with her, while Aaron needs to focus on work.  Less stress for him, in some ways.  At least he only has to worry about work and getting done what he has to there.  Our house is being taken care of, Riley is being taken care of, and Tater too.  I'm glad Aaron can concentrate on work and school and not worry about us.  We'll be here when you are home, Aaron.  We love you!

Two.  Riley is definitely having some serious hair issues.  I'm sure you've already noticed, if you've been following her pictures since birth.  At this point, a lot of her hair has fallen out.  She still has a long, dark streak of hair running down the top of her head.  It's getting longer now, so it is starting to get into her eyes.  Her hair started out spiky when born.  But, not so much anymore.  Now it lays flat.  I'm already starting my crazy mother thing, where I can't stand her hair being in her eyes!  Who would like that?  Surely, she cannot.  This is why I am constantly putting her barrette back in her hair if it falls out.  Though, she doesn't sleep with one in, just to be safe.


Wild hair.



Still cute, however.

Bald head.

 

Neat hair, out of her face.  So much better.

Three.  Riley has discovered a new position.  Often, she sleeps on her tummy with her butt in the air, with her legs tucked under her.  She's learned that if she holds this pose and props herself onto her hands...this is what happens...

Not only does she hold this position but she also rocks herself back and forth as if saying "lets go body...move!"  Sadly, she doesn't move though, only falls back to the floor.  But this is all practice for crawling one day.  Keep on trying baby girl!

45 minutes

So, if you read an earlier post of mine about my struggles and triumphs with running, you'll know that 45 minutes was the longest I ran ever, without stopping to walk.  Well...folks, I just did it again!  Yup.  Yesterday was a good run.  I need to thank the cooler weather (finally).  And, despite my blister hurting towards the end, I still did it.  I ran 4.5 miles.  I'm still in shock.  Me, Abby...ran...Forty.  Five.  Minutes.

smiles

We love seeing Riley smile.

Gotta love Elmo...and saving money!

So this past week, Riley and I had a nice visit with my parents.  This time, instead of just going down to their house for a day trip, we stayed two nights!  Our plan was to stay one...but Friday came all too soon and I didn't want to fight rush hour traffice so we stayed another night.  We had such a nice time, though Daddy was missed.  While there, my mom took us to a great thrift store they have and we bought some clothes, books, toys and an Elmo walker!  Everything was half off...so the walker was only $6.  I just saw a walker at Target today, in fact, and they wanted $40 for it - and to be honest, I like mine better.  I rarley used to shop at thrift stores, yard sales, Goodwill...but I'm starting to do it more.  I can't tell you the number of items I have bought at these places and all excellent condition and prices.  You can't go wrong!  Babies grow too fast anyway, and this stuff is only for a time.  Anyway...here are some walker pics. 

While in MD with my parents, my mom was able to feed Riley rice cereal both days.  They don't have a high chair, so we just put her in the walker and it worked out fine!  Little messy, though.

Riley loves cruising around in her new ride, while slobbering on the toys attached, and pressing the buttons to make noises.  She looks so tiny in it! 

baby teeth

Riley has majorly been teething the last 6-8 weeks.  We knew her teeth had to be coming in, and sure enough we now see two white teeth in her mouth!  The middle bottom left tooth was first, now the bottom right is showing too.  They just started to come in this month, at 5 months old.  Those little teeth are sharp too.  She wants to chew on everything and when she catches our fingers it hurts.  It's funny watching her try to put her entire fist in her mouth.  She's been more fussy at times while teething, but really not too bad.  She's a trooper.  I know it has to be painful.  Once we can see the teeth better, I will take photos for you.  They are so tiny right now nothing would show up with the camera, but white is definitely showing!

Cereal....yum

A week ago we introduced Riley to rice cereal, her first bit of solid food.  I was in no rush to start cereal, even though her doctors said anytime after 4 months would be fine.  I truly didn't feel Riley was ready a month ago.  Aaron and I started to see signs of readiness this month, so we gave it a try.  She loved it!  It was weird to her at first, but it was amazing to see her open her mouth anticipating the spoon going in, as if she had done it before.  It was fun feeding her for the first time, we kept smiling and laughing.  The experience is messy, and continues to be...but it's so cool seeing her eat.  Unfortunately, I only have pictures of me feeding her, even though Aaron did too.  We video taped this first experience too, so Aaron is in that!