Six Months

Adara is half a year old.  Every parent says it: I can't believe how fast it's going.  Too fast, but also too slow.  As a parent I'm so impatient for the next thing.  For her to start crawling, and then walking, and then talking, and on and on.  I need to stop and enjoy what I have now.  BUT I am so excited to see what she will be like tomorrow and the next day....aaahhh.

One thing I am taking day by day is nursing.  I have shared before that nursing has been a huge struggle for me.  I miss sleep because of it, I eat lunch in my car because of it, I have pain because of it, I have scars that I am pretty sure will never go away because of it.  So many moms say they really enjoy it.  That it's so wonderful.  Such a great time to connect with their little one.  I think I am just starting to get to that point because it has been such a rocky road. I never thought I would be able to nurse this long, especially working full-time and having to pump so much milk.  But one day at a time makes it easier.  I hope that I can nurse tomorrow.

A big change for Adara (and for my nursing) happened one morning at the very beginning of the month.  I could hear Adara talking her usual baby babble from her crib.  I went to wish her a happy morning and she smiled her usual "good morning" smile and guess what!!!  There was a flash of something shiny and white in her mouth!  Her first tooth erupted over night! Font bottom right. Just the hint of the top of it.  It's a sharp and jagged little sucker.  A few days later another one came in.

She not only looks more grown up with two little teeth, she is acting grown up.  Little girl has been moving around for a while, military crawling, but now she has just started getting up on her knees!  She is going to start really REALLY crawling any day.  And then her personality will really shine because we can see what she wants to do, and play with, and go!  We are so excited for that.  Yes.  Ask me again in another few months how I like chasing her around ...yes, I know.

Adara continues to explore the world of solid foods.  She still much prefers breastmilk (thank goodness, because that is what she needs the most!) but she is turning into quite the adventuresome eater.  She even has developed a liking for avocado.  Peas still seem to remain her absolute favorite.  And mangos, and bananas, and sweet potato, and, well, almost everything (she takes after her parents).  I love preparing her food for her!

Happy half-a-year-old Baby Girl!  I am so incredibly in love with you!

My Top 10!

As I am starting to have more friends expecting AND before I forget what I will absolutely need for baby #2 (which will NOT be coming anytime soon btw!) here is my can't-live-without mommy essentials (in no particular order).

1. Medela Pump In-Style:

It hurt so much to nurse at first that pumping sounded more appealing.....six months later I cannot wait to kick this pump to the curb.  BUT, this pump has saved me so many times.  I recommend starting to pump extra breast milk as soon as you can (at about 1 month in I started pumping extra milk after almost every nursing).  That way you can build your milk supply and start a stash that will allow you to go on date nights, have other people do feedings so you can get extra sleep, and in case you accidentally miss a pumping session when you return back to work....ugh.  

2. Yoga Ball:

Baby doesn't understand that it's nighttime.  Baby won't stop crying.  Baby needs soothed!  Bouncing on the yoga ball in the wee hours of the earlier morn was routine.  For some reason our rocking chair, bouncing up and down, or the swing was just not the same.  It really had to be the yoga ball!  Not to mention a great little work out. 

3. Lanolin Cream:

I was first applying tiny little drops.  But what you really need is to be as liberal as possible.  So buy extra bottles so you don't feel guilty!  This cream helped me to continue nursing even when I thought it was a lost cause.  

4. Comfy Clothes for Post Delivery:

Your body just doesn't feel right after dumping out a watermelon sized object.  You are sore.  And achy.  And just want to be covered in soft, warm, goodness.  I loved Gap Body clothing.  Especially things that had drawstrings or spandex.  

5. Fisher Price Rock n' Play Sleeper:

I didn't register for this item because I thought that a co-sleeper (pack n' play) would be sufficient.  But I was so so so very wrong.  Newborn babies sleep so well in this thing.  Also, you can put it next to your bed and when baby gets fussy you can just rock it a little and, like magic, baby is back to sleep and you are still half-asleep.  

6. Aden & Anais Swaddles:

They are soft, surprisingly warm, cute, and breathable. They are also the best for doing tight swaddles--which turns out to be pretty key for lengthy sleep stretches.  This was really the only swaddle we really used.  You have enough to worry about when the baby is asleep and you don't need to add suffocation to that list--so it was reassuring to know that if the baby did wiggle out of the swaddle and it covered the face there wouldn't be a problem....because that did happen more than once....

7. Summer Baby Monitor: 

Watching baby sleep is fun and reassuring.  This camera also becomes essential if you start sleep training because you need to know when baby is crying because she is about to go to sleep and when she is crying because she is pissed.  Being able to check on baby without going in the room (and waking her up) is such a life saver!

8. Chicco Snap and Go Stroller:

Talk about easy.  I wish they made one of these for non-newborns because now when baby falls asleep in the car I have to take her out of her seat to put her in the big kid stroller.....missing the snap and go.  

9. Frozen meals:

We made about 20 frozen meals before baby was born.  Nights that we were too tried to cook and after the rush of friends bringing you meals is over (those friends bringing you meals are essential too) these meals were SO crucial.  Planning ahead paid off! 

10.  Bravado Nursing Bra:

Initially I went with some cheap Target nursing bras (and I hear these are great for some people...!) but when you have as much trouble nursing as I did you need the good stuff.  As soon as I made the investment my life changed for the better.  Comfort is key when you are already tired and in pain.  

***The thing this list is missing would be family.  Thank goodness for my family because without them I don't know how I would have survived that first stretch.  Cooks, cleaners, entertainment, and baby holders while you shower and sleep are the best!  xoxo