Stats

Brees Elizabeth is 5 months old!

I really can't believe another month has gone by, and what a busy month it has been!  We have watched our little lamb grow more this month than ever before and her sweet little personality shines brighter everyday, making all of us happier than we've ever been.  

Here are her stats:

Feeding:  Still exclusively breast feeding, eating every 3-41/2 hours.  I plan to start her on rice cereal at 6 months and the thought of that makes me sad.  Sounds ridiculous, but I love the fact that my body is her only source of nutrition right now.  That bond is priceless, that feeling of accomplishment as a mother.  I am sad that she will be venturing out, but ce la vie.  I am so grateful for how successful we have been and hope to continue nursing for quite a while.

Sleeping:  Her sleeping habits changed yet again this month.  I've read in several places that it is normal for babies to go through a "wakeful" phase, and we have definitely experienced that this month.  Teething doesn't help, either.  She naps wonderfully during the day, taking about 4 naps at 2-3 hours each a day.  At night, however, she has started to wake up at around 2 every morning, talking and babbling in her bed, sometimes getting very fussy.  I have started the terrible habit of nursing her to get her to fall back asleep and so now she is regularly waking up for a 2am feeding again.  Bad Mommy.  I can't say that I mind terribly being able to cuddle with her as we both doze in and out of sleep, though.

Health:  She has not been sick at all this month.  She is teething, though, so we've seen a little more drool and a need to put everything in her mouth.  She has two little teeth at the bottom and seems to be a little more comfortable now that they have broken the skin.  Her reflux is under control and her spitting up has decreased considerably.  

Play:  She is so active!  She rolls both ways now and scoots her butt into the air in an attempt to crawl.  She loves her Exersaucer and her new baby swing we added to Isabelle's swing set.  She loves being outside more than anything and we love taking long walks in the afternoon.  Her favorite place to be is in her Ergo, nestled in close to Mama.  Isabelle and Brees adore each other and Brees watches her big sister like a hawk, following her every move.  Her Soothe and Glow Seahorse is her favorite toy and she sleeps with him pressed up against her face every night.  She is a big thumb sucker and will not take a pacifier.  Hello orthodontist bills!

Disposition:  She truly is the sweetest, happiest little baby.  She smiles constantly and laughs a deep belly laugh when she gets excited.  She is rarely fussy and only cries when she is hungry or ready for bed.  I must admit that this is probably because someone is always holding her.  She is quite the spoiled little lamb, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

This month we:

• Went to the zoo for the first time
• Celebrated big sister's birthday
• Got a new kitten
• Dyed our first Easter eggs
• Learned that if we cry, someone will pick us up right away.  And then started doing that regularly
• Decided that being rocked to sleep for an hour was much more fun than just going to bed alone
• Smiled and laughed the days away

You are a gem, Brees Elizabeth, and we thank God for you everyday!