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!