Creeper!

Meili finally started creeping two weeks ago at 6 1/2 months. She put both hands in front of her and pulls herself forward by the strength of her arms. I would hold my hands out palms upward and drum my fingers on the floor, and she would creep a few inches to touch my fingers. Then I'd pick her up and hug and kiss her. 

Now she's doing a super fast creep and goes across the room real quick. And when she touches me she pretty much expects to be picked up!!

First tooth

So, Meili has one tooth now. It cut five days ago and she was really fussy for two days before that. That tooth is reaaaaally sharp! She hasn't bitten me yet...

Baby led weaning: good eats

Since Meili has another 1.5 years left of breastfeeding (hopefully), where the next six months will still be mostly breastmilk, I'm not pressured to make her eat a lot. I've been offering her finger sized pieces of poached tender chicken that she gums off bits and swallows. She has gagged a few times and I've watched her  quite easily bring up the chicken if she has accidentally swallowed too big a piece. She's also had lamb, beef and pork in bite sized pieces usually at dinner (a departure from BLW as we feed them to her). She has lettuce offered to her every morning with chicken. And lunch is avocado and banana about a spoonful each which she adores. 

She's also had egg yolk two mornings in a row and loves them. 

Meili is six! (months)

My precious little peanut, mama can barely believe you are six months old! Time has flown by, and it's all a bit of a blur for me as days meld into weeks into months, and as I cope with illness and caring for you best as I can. I love you with all I have Meili Abigail.

Meili at six months is 28 inches long (99th percentile) and 15 lb 3 oz (32nd percentile). 

Accidental Peppermint Tea Ingestion - Breastmilk Decrease!

I ran out of mothers milk tea and thought I'd finish up the pepermint tea I got for nausea while pregnant. So I guzzled bout a liter through the night and the next day my milk production ground to a drip. Now I did not expect that. Google informed me that peppermint tea is drunk to dry up milk supply. Oh dear. Poor Meili is hungry. She's been wanting to nurse every one-two hours instead of 3-4 hours. Also, I had started sleeping on my tummy the past few days. That apparently puts pressure on the boobs and prevents them from filling up with milk. I'm now guzzling heaps of mothers milk tea and putting Meili on as often as she needs and for as long as she likes. Let's see how long it takes for my milk to come back. Here's a rare pic of Meili crying. :)

Breastfeeding side lying

I don't know what took me so long but I finally figured out how to feed Meili both boobs without having to change position! I did try much earlier on but the boob on the upper side seemed too far to reach Meili. Anyway, yay! No more having to move her to feed each boob. 

I feel like chicken tonight

Meili had a teaspoonful of poached chicken tonight. She opens her mouth when I say 'ahh'. She loves her new portable chair by Regalo. 

Meili's munchies

Meili gets impatient trying to suck the juice from the apple pieces in the mesh bag thingo. She gums it a bit but mostly tries to latch on to it which doesn't really work. 

She tasted a tiny bit of mashed poached chicken today at lunch. And at dinner she gobbled a teaspoonful of avocado. She loves that stuff. 

Aside from strawberries, honey and carrots and egg whites I'm not sure what other foods to avoid for now. Time to look it up!

Christening

Aunt Judie actually cured at meili's baptism. Grandma Lois had water from the Jordan river that pastor Barbara used to wash meili's head with. Meili's godparents aunt Colleen and uncle Ernie looked on proudly. 

Stroller joy! A new record.

Meili spent 45 minutes in her stroller today. This surpasses her previous record of 10 minutes at the end of which I had to put her in the Ktan and walk her and the stroller back home. What I did different was put the seat completely upright. She can sit upright now! She likes the view. 

Baby hawk Mei Tai with Mirror: Works great

Meili sleeps good in the mei tai on my back. I've been going on slow jogs in the park and she sleeps for most of them. I check on her with my Lille baby retractable mirror. Super convenient. 

More immunizations.

Again already??? This time daddy got to hold Meili while she was jabbed. 

Pumpkin fest at Renshaw family farm

Hopefully we can make this a yearly tradition for the family. 

Beery breast milk puts baby to sleep

Or we could just give baby the beer? 

Disclaimer: no meili's were harmed in this photo shoot. 

Solid foods at five months?

Meili is already showing interest in our dinner. She's nearly lost the tongue push out reflex. But at five months I don't feel she is ready. 

Baby girl fashions

Meili: Oh YIKES what did mama put on me today?! Nothing goes with anything! And my hair oh dearie can you say bad hair day?!

Playtime again!

Shaken baby syndrome and Vaccinations: Similar Symptoms

Ok so the day Meili got her shots, she stopped babbling. She didn't get a fever or become more irritable (than usual anyways). But she completely ceased vocalizing. She had very watery stools for two days but none of the horrible flatulence or apparent tummy discomfort. 

By day seven after the shots she still wasn't talking. She'd also seemed not to be responding to my voice anymore. No smiles for Mama. And was so lethargic, gazing vacantly at nothing in particular. She also didn't seem motivated to roll at all. And she'd been choking on her own saliva quite often, plus vomiting (which she hadn't done before). 

I just felt something was off. I got worried. 

Googling vaccination side effects interestingly brought up Shaken. Baby Syndrome (SBS). Apparently many of the symptoms of SBS are similar to vaccination side effects. 

According to MedlinePlus:

The symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They may include:

• Convulsions (seizures)
• Decreased alertness
• Extreme irritability or other changes in behavior
• Lethargy, sleepiness, not smiling
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of vision
• No breathing
• Pale or bluish skin
• Poor feeding, lack of appetite
• Vomiting

So I worried. It totally didn't help that I read the statistics of over 600 babies dying in 2007, after receiving their shots. More than 30% died within two hours, and deaths were reported up to a week after. http://www.nvic.org/Doctors-Corner/Edward-Yazbak/Multiple-Vaccinations-and-the-Shaken-Baby-Syndrome.aspx

Meili first real playdate

Sept 5. Kyra came over to help watch Meili while I try to rest. This was meili's first real interaction with another baby. Sylvis is five days younger than her, but weighs nearly 20 lbs! He is so affectionate and loves other babies. He kissed her a bunch of times. In return Meili puked on his foot. So he also puked on her hair. It was all very sweet. 

More Immunizations

Sept 3 meili's four month wellness visit plus shots didn't turn out so bad after all. She measured 25.5" long (91st percentile) and 12 lb 12 oz (26th percentile), pretty much where she has been all this while percentile-wise. Her pediatrician Danika Wallace is super sweet and so wonderfully gentle with her. Spencer and I like her a lot and I think Meili doesn't mind her either hehe. 

Unlike the previous rotavirus oral vaccine where Meili suffered all the side effects listed for the nasty vaccine (diarrhea and flatulence for three days), this time - nothing much. She didn't seem to get a temperature either. She might or might not have been fussy - hard to tell apart from her somewhat unpredictable fussy spells. 

Rails trails with the In Step Marathon Jogging Stroller

Meili starts out happy and smiling in the stroller then cries for about 5 minutes. Then she sleeps or looks around wide eyed. If she cries for too long we stop and let her comfort suck then put her back in. So far so good. She is getting more used to being in the stroller. It's a pretty awesome stroller. The big wheels give a comfy ride and there are mesh pockets on each side for keys, phone and water bottle. Plus plenty of storage for her diapering supplies and our snacks. The brakes work good. Only thing is the front wheel is fixed so it doesn't turn easily. 

Spencer is looking forward to longer runs. Today we did 10 miles (with me on the bike) and only needed to stop three times for Meili. It was great getting out!

Didymos woven wrap: Tibetan rucksack back carry

I love the Didymos. It was pricey at $70 used from eBay - new, these Grand Dame of Woven Wraps cost easily $150. I want to back carry Meili and needed a non-stretchy type wrap to safely do so (Moby can't do that). My Didymos is soooo luxuriously soft and comfy. Even though it is thick, it doesn't feel too warm for me. After a few attempts (over the bed just in case baby slipped), I think I got it down. Meili is comfy in it and likes looking over my shoulder. She also sleeps good in it. 

Does your baby have a personality?

Meili does! And she has an impressive repertoire of facial expressions. She's a sensitive little girl - startles easily, gets upset easily, and her cries (whenever we don't manage to soothe her) are heartbreaking to hear. But when she smiles, and coos, and gurgles, and laughs, I get a glimpse of the bubbly and passionate girl she might be when she's older. She is a happy baby. 

Here's a collage of her telling uncle ken one of her very entertaining stories. 

Sophie the Giraffe: My New Fav Teether

I ordered a used one on eBay for $12. Ya ya I know it seems a lot of dough to spend on a teething toy. But it's $20 on amazon would you believe it?! 

I don't know about Meili (it can be hard to tell with her) but I adore Sophie! She is so chewy and tasty and soothing to gnaw on. Yes I did wash and sanitize her prior to my taste test. And her squeaks of joy (I imagine) are a delight! Meili giggles when Sophie squeaks. Do we have the beginnings of a lifelong friendship? 

Happy Sleeping Baby: Thank You Dr Harvey Karp!

I honestly don't know where I be without this book. 

If you are not of the 'cry it out' (CIO) camp and you feel uncomfortable letting your baby cry herself to sleep, yet would like for her to be able to get her rest at night then you need to read this book. 

The five 'S': swaddling, shushing, swinging, side/stomach laying, from 'The Happiest Baby on the Block' by the same author, helped us calm baby Meili immediately and survive the third month of her tumultuous babyhood. 

I then happened upon Karp's other book and jumped on it because after the first one I think whatever this guy has to say must be GOLD :)

And so far it has been GOLD. He clarifies some points in the first book about how loud shushing should be (about the noise level of a shower), and how vigorous swinging should be (no more than an inch of head movement by baby). And puts in a whole bunch of tips on how to safely and quickly put baby to sleep without the need for all that crying or traumatic sleep training. 

I learnt that it's ok to let Meili fall asleep at my breast but then to put her down and wake her just a little, so that she learns to fall asleep by herself after that. And if she cries? Just keep picking her up and sooth her back to sleep. And repeat by waking her up at every put down, until she falls asleep by herself (off the breast). 

Okay enough talk. Here are pics showing Meili sleeping swaddled, in restaurants, outdoors, basically anywhere she needed to sleep whenever nap time rolled around while I was out and about. 

Teething yet? Perhaps

Meili has been drooling quite a bit. Apparently that's a sign of teething. 

Also she has been gnawing at her fingers. She has been getting better at directing her little digits into her mouth. And can now hold them there to enjoy for more than ten seconds at a time. 

Below pic: "Mama why are you taking pics of me picking my teeth?" Well Meili, you don't have any teeth yet. 

More immunizations

Ok so today Meili got her HiB (Haemophilus influenza type b), IPV (polio) and PCV (pneumococcal). In two shots. The nurse warned me that the second one would sting much more and she was right. Meili cried out in real pain when it went in. She took immediately to my breast and seemed to be better. And slept in the Ktan while we picked up groceries at giant eagle. Then I also got her to nap - with a lot of coaxing - that afternoon. 

She feels quite warm now and has been super upset all evening. I've not heard her cry this loud before. She's always been soothed in the Ktan, and walking outside in the yard. But after the initial afternoon calm, nothing much helped. 

Tiny love sunny stroll arch

All the hype about this toy is true! 

Meili who has never lasted more than 10 minutes in the bouncy, sat for over an hour playing with the crinkly flower mirror thing today. 

I am gobsmacked!

Happiest Baby on the Block?

I was struggling with Meili being really cranky whole of last week and found the book 'happiest baby on the block' a big help. It says to Swaddle, shush, swing, side/stomach lay, suckle - I was already wearing her most of the day but she would get upset in the evenings and refuse to latch even though I knew she was hungry and tired. Now I got this thing going where I lay with her on her side and pat her back firmly to the rhythm of my loud chanting of an American Indian war cry. She immediate quiets and starts sucking haha. 

Sounds from the womb lullabies CD: Thank You God

It works!

 

Happiest baby on the block

I've been devouring this book. I had seen it before but wasn't attracted to the title which I thought was kinda cliche. I don't know why. 

I like where this Karp is going with the happy baby moves. It's along my line of thought for how baby should be loved - dont let baby cry, sooth baby, the fourth trimester etc. 

I realized that I'd been applying some of the stuff in the book already. I'd been wearing Meili and nursing on demand (the fifth 'S'). I'd also been putting her on her side and stomach as she is so much calmer than when in her back. And I jiggle or swing her if she's really worked up.

After reading the book I added two more weapons to my arsenal - Swaddle and, Shush. 

I learnt that baby's hearing is muted in the first few months because of fluid in the ear. And womb sounds are up to 90 decibels! So I'd needed to be much louder in my shushing to be effective. 

When Meili started crying in the car today. I turned the music on full blast. It didn't work. But when I added loud shushing she stopped immediately! One gets dizzy shushing after a while. Fortunately she had passed out in five minutes so I was good!

So pleased with myself. 

Oh and swaddling works too!

Britax Marathon Car Seat for Crying Baby?

I guess my Meili is a car seat snob. 

Today I buckled her little tushie into the Britax Marathon convertible car seat. This is the Rolls Royce of car seats. It's so comfy and plush and luxurious. Gosh I'd wanna sit in it if I could fit! Unfortunate it only goes to like 80 lbs.  

Anyway I digress. She cried. To be fair, she did last 5 minutes before crying. But yeah she didn't like this cowmooflage seat for whatever reason. 

It's a good thing I only paid $15 for the chance to try it out. Gotta like Craigslist for that. It's still got a year or two left before it expires, so Meili could still change her mind about it.   

 

But I've got something exciting to share. Next post.

Biogaia Protectis Drops: Day 4

Happpyyyy. 

Meili has been happy and comfy and thusly so is the mama. 

Her tummy seems to have settled and she isn't farting and tooting a mile a minute now. She has again slept well all night, waking only to feed. 

So I'm sold on this product. Heck it's not a product it's a miracle sent from god! :)

If anything changes i will be sure to update. 

Here's hopefully the last of Meili's colic. 

Flatfold Diaper plus Snappi and Diaper Cover: Bombproof!

Well not quite ha! 

But it works great for most part. It's easy, and the flatfolds dry so fast under the sun. I do a load every other day and have been throwing the rinsed poopy diapers in with our laundry. It doesn't take long to hang them out and fold them. Maybe half hour each load for a total of two hours a week. 

It feels good knowing I am not putting an additional 40+ disposable diapers into some landfill every week. And saving us a chunk of change every month too. 

Tiny Love Jungle Gym

Scored a play yard mat for $5 on Craigslist. 

Meili tolerates it. She isn't much into batting the hanging toys yet. She just lays there with a patient expression on her face that seems to say "ok ma, you can pick me up now".

Leaky Gut in Breastfeeding Mom: Milk Gives Baby Colic?

I've been reading up a bit about how partially digested proteins can make their way through mom's leaky gut into her bloodstream and into her breastmilk then causing tummy troubles in baby whose immature digestive system can't handle those kinda things. 

Since I'm not out of the woods yet with my relapse, it figures I may have a leaky gut - as in past relapses where I become sensitive to gluten and dairy. So I'm cutting out these two foods for now. Already it seems Meili is doing better. 

Here she is praying that grandma will play with her. How to resist that puppy dog look? :)

Biogaia Protectis drops: day 3

Ok yesterday I spoke too soon. After an entire day of being happy, Meili started crying and fussing from 6 PM for about three hours. 

I will blame my diet. I had deer liver in rice wine and ginger around 1pm. 

Like yesterday I did give her more drops in the evening. And also the powder probiotic. 

She slept so soundly in the night. From 10 pm all the way to 4 pm. And then after her feed all the way to 9 am. 

Dear god thank you. 

She's been great all day. She still wants to be held but she's not in obvious discomfort or pain. 

Here she is doing her morning calisthenics. 

Cloth Diapering with Flat Fold Diapers is Easy

And therapeutic too. 

Meili is napping and I am folding diapers on our handy diaper folding station. 

I folded so many as a teenager, thanks to my kid bro and sis who are 15 and 22 years younger than I am. You'd think I would be sick of them. But it actually relaxes me. 

I love the fleece Bummis reusable liners paired with the flatfolds. I tried the Bumkins flushable diaper liners too and they are really good for catching most of the poopy messes, but end up being too expensive - a $8 pack of 100 liners lasts maybe two weeks only. 

Biogaia Protectis Drops Day 2: Happier Baby!

Meili slept a solid two hours in the afternoon after taking those drops yesterday. And she hardly fussed or looked uncomfortable the evening. So much less farting too. I did give her three more drops in the evening. She slept at 10 pm - a little later than her usual 9 pm bedtime probably because of her long afternoon nap - and was comfortable enough to sleep through most of the night without me having to pick her up and soothe her. The tummy sleeping has continued to help. If she fussed, patting her on her back soothed her enough for her to fall back to sleep. 

I am so happy! 

I'm still giving her the Garden of Life raw probiotics and I'm sure that is helping her colicky tummy too. Wonder if the effects are longer lasting or if I will have to keep giving these probiotics forever :)

Here's a pic of baby Meili happy as mama is. 

Biogaia Protectis Baby Probiotic Drops: Day 1

So instead of paying $50 for this on amazon, I found them for $30 at Walgreens. Apparently Gerber has acquired sole distributorship of these drops in the USA since June 2013 and they are now sold as Gerber Soothe something or other, which is (during this transition) impossible to find and costs twice more. 

I grabbed the last two bottles on the shelf, in my state of kiasuness. From the forums, this might be smart because all over the US now there are desperate parents searching in vain for Biogaia while their colicky babies cry and suffer. 

I gave her five drops immediately. In the car. This bottle is tiny. 5 ml is supposed to last 30 days but I doubt it will. 

She ate them ok. I stuck my finger in her mouth and let her suck on it so she would get more down. The sunflower oil tastes pretty good. 

Maybe I can culture this probiotic in my own expressed breast milk. When I got the IV antibiotics for Strep B during delivery, I think that's where this problem started. What if I don't have this bacteria in me anymore? If I eat it then my own body could be a factory producing this good stuff for Meili. Right?

So far not much change and even if there is it could be due to my cutting out dairy and wheat starting yesterday. I'll keep you posted!

Baby Meili Hates Her Car Seat Rides

I thought Meili would be the kinda baby that would sleep in cars. And we would be driving around to get her calm and sleeping. 

No such luck. She seems to have developed a hearty dislike for car rides. Which due to her inconsolable heart rending cries have made me desperate to find a solution to her car seat aversion. Otherwise I'm just gonna stay home. It's too stressful to drive with her now!

I tried a few things so far, with more in the works. Here's my report: Fail. 

 

I printed out a huge pic of myself so Meili could look at her mommy and know she is not alone. Meili isn't so easily deceived. She cried.  

I padded the car seat where her bum and back are so she would be more comfy - I know I know that apparently voids the warranty because these pads aren't supposed to be used that way but I just wanted to try something. She didn't approve of the padding, I think. I don't know. She cried. 

I hung a bunch of toys for her to amuse herself with. I think this may have helped distract her enough to not cry for about 5 minutes. Then she cried. 

So that's 5 minutes of golden silence of the 1.5 hours on the road today. I'll take it. :)

Stay tuned for my next update: The Quest For The Car Seat