6 Month Dr Appointment

Today Adelaide had her 6 month Dr apt!  She did great as usual and weighed in at 16.6 lbs and was 25 in. long.  Her Dr did say that he expected more growth length wise (grew 1/2 in) but chalked it up to either an over measurement last apt or under measurement this apt.  He certainly wasn't worried though.  She still has a big head at 43 cm but she is starting to catch up with it! :)

Dr Young always makes me feel great about my decision to breastfeed.  He is a huge advocate for it and always commends me for sticking with it.  He always refers to it as a "gift".  Today he told me that I was preparing her for better health when she is 85 by giving her boobie milk as we call it in the Perez household!  Apparently it will give her strong gut for life and help her in her old age!  Who knew!  I'm so glad that we have such a supportive system at Piedmont Pediatrics.  When Adelaide was only a couple months old she had horrible gas problems.  HORRIBLE!  I called them and they brought me straight in so I could see a Dr.  We couldn't see Dr Young that day but the part time Dr who sees sick patients was able to fit us in.  She sat with me for over an hour and talked with me...and in the end gave me several hugs and simply told me it would get better, we were doing great and to hang in there.  An hour she sat with me and encouraged me and told me about Peaceful Beginnings downtown Greensboro.  An hour!  She called a week later to check in on us!  So...needless to say we love Piedmont Peds!  LOVE!  Her Dr is retiring though so this was our last apt with him...super sad about that but his wife wants to move to the beach with or without him.  Haha!  We are praying that the new Dr is super awesome as well!  Until next time...

Apparently her Dr's office keeps popcorn buckets around for any projectile liquid!  Of course her Daddy thinks it's a good hat!  Who wouldn't?!

Sacked out in the car after shots...mouth wide open and drool coming out!  So cute!

Half A Year...

As I sit down to write this blog post...it's bitter sweet.  I can't believe that 6 months have flown by with our baby girl.  It's so amazing to watch her grow and learn every day but so sad to know that this time is flying way to fast and I can never have it back.  One thing I don't take for granted is spending time with her.  Most of my time in the day is dedicated to her...the cleaning can wait!  Therefore it depends on the day of the week whether my house is presentable or not! ;)

These pics are getting hard to capture!

Adelaide's 6 month Doctors apt isn't until June 21st so we don't know how much she weighs and measures in etc.  We do know she is growing leaps and bounds.  Just ask Alex...he carries her car seat most of the time. Haha!  

She is still breastfed of course!  I am very aware how lucky (better yet, blessed!) I am to have been able to keep my supply going so well and for her to have never had a drop of formula!  My big goal was 6 months old...thus we have passed that goal and are on to our next big goal which is 1 year!  Past that is just icing on the cake.  Nursing in public is still a little nerve racking for me at times, but it gets easier and easier.  She hates the nursing cover and I don't want to be uncovered because that makes me uncomfortable.  Not because I'm embarrassed of what I am doing or because others might stare, simply because I am so modest, always have been I don't want anyone to see a lick of my boobies! ;)  Nursing in the Boba carrier has been a life saver for us.  No one can see a thing and there is no cover to pull off.  It's awesome!  Breastfeeding is still an adventure but one that I am so glad to be a part of.  

We introduced solids when she turned 6 months old also.  We are doing baby led weaning so that means no spoon feeding, no purees.  She gets all whole foods and does it all herself, no helping allowed!  So far we love it.  It's a different mind set then what most people are used to but it was an easy adjustment for me.  The idea is that she has been feeding herself since birth since she is breastfed (thus starts and stops when she is good and ready) so why take that away from her.  I did quite a bit of research before deciding what to do about solids and after a few months of doing so knew that this was the right way to go for us!  Since breast milk is her main source of nutrition for the first year, even if she doesn't eat much it simply doesn't matter because she is getting everything she needs from me.  Solids are simply a compliment for now and she enjoys playing with all her stick pieces of foods while we eat.  She is amazing to watch.  We truly underestimate the smarts of little humans!

Enjoying her first solids...avocado!  She loved it!

Avocado and Banana!  It sure is messy...but oh so fun!

Adelaide is very strong willed and has let us know she will do things in her own time and not ours!  And that is ok with us.  She can and will roll over but only when necessary in her mind.  She prefers to scoot on her bottom or tummy to get around.  She loves to pull up on our arms, our fingers, our bodies, toys, etc.  She is a pro at that and loves to do it.  She goes up and then plops down just so she can do it again.  It's a fun cycle.  She likes to take some steps now if she is holding on to your hands also.  

She has been able to get up on her knees and rock for a while but never really knew what to do from there.  So in the past couple of weeks she is starting to understand that she can move...forward...or backwards.  She has mastered backwards of course but is still trying to get the hang of forward.  She can take a couple of knee steps forward but then gives up usually.  She has zero patience!  I guess she got that from me!  Alex loves to work with her and is always pushing her to do more and do better!  That's what Daddies are for after all.  She has him wrapped around her little finger though.  No one can make her laugh like her Daddy!  It's so amazing to see their relationship unfold!  I just smile and watch and try to ingrain it all in my memory for I know that someday I won't be able to remember!  :(

She also got a tooth!  It started cutting through around June 4th, and it is pretty much all the way out.  She handled it like a champ though.  She was fussy and not wanting to eat for like a day and then back to normal ole' Adelaide!  

She is amazing to watch and talk to.  She is so vocal and loves to hear herself talk.  She doesn't give up her laughs very easily and it's only for Mommy and Daddy when she does!  She is definitely unique in that  respect.  But when we do hear those belly laughs we soak them up.  Giggles are an all the time thing though, it's just the belly laughs that take a lot of coaxing and only when she is in the mood.  Oh did I mention she is also stubborn! That's her Daddy through and through!!!!!  :)

We simply love watching her independence blossom as well.  She will just sit on the floor and play with her toys and enjoy the time exploring.  But when she is ready for cuddle time she sure lets you know.  Sometimes she simply wants you to sit beside her.  I guess it gives her comfort knowing we are right next to her.  Oh how we love her...she is our world!

We are simply the luckiest 2 people in the world not only to have each other  but to have this amazing miracle God has blessed us with!  Until next time...

First time in a shopping cart!

Look at this cute face!

Ready for Church

Finally tolerating tummy time!

Loving the Boba..she is knocked out in Hobby Lobby!  :)

The Start of Something Awesome!

We have finally begun the journey of building our dining room table!  That's right...building!  My Mom had a door that was removed from my Great Grandparent's home...that's old!  So Alex had the bright idea to use that beautiful old door for something unique.  He started working on preparing the door about 3 weeks ago. It's coming along quite nice.  A few more coats of protective finish on it and the door itself will be set.  Then he has to mount it on the legs that we got from Ikea followed by figuring out how we want the chairs and bench to look.  That is still up in the air.  Obviously the chairs can't exactly match the door simply because one is over a hundred years old and the others are brand spankin new.  That will take some clever thinking on our part...but we have a few ideas in mind.  Any way you swing it, it's gonna be awesome simply because of what it represents!  We are so excited to have family meals around the table as our Adelaide grows and possibly even our family one day!  After this project is complete it's on to the next...re-finishing my Nannie's china cabinet!  Super excited about that one too.  Here is a sneak peak of what's to come...

Our Peanut is 5 Months Old!

Here is what I do know...these months go by way to fast.  I have already shed some tears over the fact that my next month by month post will be 6 months!  My baby girl is almost half a year old and it seems like yesterday she was popping out.  I also cry when I listen to the song You & Me by Frances England.  Oh boy...tear jerker for sure.  Anyways, enough about my sappy emotions due to being a Mommy...on to why I am here...May 10th marked 5 months with our beautiful miracle.  She gave me a run for my money trying to get a picture of her with her little board.  I suppose from now on it will be a 2 man job!  Here is a sneak peak of what I went through! HAHA...

And what might this be Mommy!?

Don't worry I'll fix it for you...

Ok...Looks great now I want this...

I'll only smile with my rattle...no negotiations

New negotiation...I will loose the rattle but I want to fly

Ok...you win flying is for the birds anyways!

There is our precious peanut!!!!

Wow...that was a task!  But so fun to look back at the process of getting a 5 month old who is a wiggle worm anyways to get a good picture.  I wonder what 6 months will hold!?  :)

Not much has changed in the rolling department since 4 months...she did it a few times and then realized in her mind it was pointless!  She still has no interest in it.  She simply finds other ways to get what she wants, which is usually some method of scooting.  

One thing that she has been doing for quite a while is sitting up with no help.  She obviously can't get to sitting by herself since she doesn't roll, but when placed she could stay there for days and play.  She is so strong!  

Play play play!

She also figured out she could sit up in her rocker!

She has also realized that when in her exer-saucer she can bounce!  Who knew.  So if you want to have a conversation or hear something on the TV while Adelaide is in her exer-saucer, forget it!  All you can hear is her constant bouncing rattling all the toys on that darn thing.  It's amazing to watch...she adores it.  

She is very very vocal as she has always been.  Her favorite phrase is "Uh Guh"...whatever that means!  :)  When she is upset she says "MaaaMaaa".  I'm pretty excited about that, however Alex...not so much! A real "Dada" will be worth the wait though. 

She has also figured out that she can make raspberries with her mouth!  She likes to do this on: her hands, your hands, a toy, her paci, or anything she can get her hands on really...or nothing at all.  She is amazing to watch.  We have a hard time taking our eyes off of her.  

Another thing that hasn't changed...feet play!  This child loves playing with and sucking on her feet!  Too cute!

Hello there friends!

We put her in her high chair for the first time when she turned 5 months old.  She sits in it and plays with toys while we eat!  She will be good and ready for solids soon.  We plan on starting baby led solids on or after her 6 month birthday.  What an adventure that will be.  I'm sure a blog post of it's own.

First time in high chair!  

She has started to realize that if she grunts at us we will pay attention to her.  So for example, if she is in her exer-saucer and decides she doesn't like the fact that Mommy isn't watching her, grunts start coming until I look at her.  Then she is all smiles and giggles and goes back to playing.  Oh what a Diva!

She loves the TV!  YIKES!  This of course was not intentional at all...but it does help me occasionally get something done, like eat, use the bathroom, you know normal stuff.  Her favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!  Luckily it's a pretty decent kids show or I would have already stabbed myself in the eyes.  ;)

Watching some Saturday morning cartoons with Daddy!

Lounging with some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

We also participated in the Great Cloth Diaper Change!  We loved it and thought it was super neat to be a part of a world record.  We participated at All About Baby Boutique downtown.  Love love this place...it's where we get all our cloth diaper and other natural goods.  

Getting her booty changed for a World Record!

We are still exclusively breastfeeding and loving the adventure.  If you gave my kid a bottle she would probably look at you like you were crazy.  She wouldn't know what to do with one and that makes me proud!  Breastfeeding is no easy task, but I wouldn't trade it for the world and I have my supportive husband to thank for that.  He was the one to encourage me to try and was the one that encouraged me through all the hard times.  I am forever grateful for that.  Maybe a blog about our breastfeeding adventures in the future...who knows.  We are also still of course loving our cloth diapers.  Cloth wipes are in the near future as we are running out of disposable ones.  Kinda nervous about that one.

We are so in love with our beautiful little girl and thank God everyday for her warm smile and little giggles.  She is our everything!!!  We still have no idea how we created something so beautiful and amazing.  

Until next time...

He is so in love!  :)

Those beautiful blue eyes!

We have a high maintenance 4 month old!

So our sweet Adelaide turned 4 months old on April 10th.  It's been a crazy 4 months and it doesn't seem to be getting any more "normal".  Baby girl had her 4 month check up this past Friday, the 19th.  We have a healthy 14.4 lb, 25.5 in long temperamental baby girl!  Doc said she was doing great!  What a blessing.  She of course got shots (because we believe in protecting the human friggin race people) and she did pretty good.  Her 2 month shots were a nightmare.  She slept all day and wouldn't eat and then was up all night with a high fever.  Yikes.  So this time I made sure to make the appointment on a Friday so that my sweet Hubby could help me during the night if it was needed.  Well...it was like night and day.  She of course got pissed off, however was a pretty happy girl the rest of the day.  A little fussy here and there Saturday, but overall she was a trooper this time.  

We are still exclusively breastfeeding and hope to not introduce any solids until 6 months. So far she doesn't seem to need anything else and we aren't going to shove food down her mouth.  She will let us know when she is ready!  

Waiting on the Dr!

Tired of waiting on Doc...so she decided to eat the paper!

After getting shots, we thought we would cheer her up by letting her drive!!!  ;) 

**So here are some things we have learned about our little monster**

~She has to hold onto something while she sleeps just like Mommy and Daddy.  So for her right now that is a thin receiving blanket that she snuggles up to.  It's so cute!

She's not holding on to it in this pic...but normally she is holding on tight!

~She loves to stick her tongue out when the wind is blowing...I suppose she gets a kick out of the feeling.  It's hilarious!

~She must not give a darn about rolling over because she has only done it a few times.  She prefers to scoot or turn herself around.  

~She has a crazy temper.  If she doesn't get what she wants as soon as she wants it she lets you and the whole neighborhood know it.  This kid has no patience, and boy can she get worked up fast.  Her "I'm pissed off at you" cry is unmistakable and she can turn it off just as fast as she turned it on.  Can we say DIVA!?  

~She loves to talk...but mainly just at home or while nursing.  I guess she is shy.  She gets a kick out of taking a break from eating and just talking away.  Her favorite thing to do is make that long drawn out sound like in the movie The Grudge!  Yeah, no lie!  So it's like a super long raspy AHHHHHHHH. It's like she wants to see how long she can make that one noise before taking another breath.  It never gets old!   We love talking to our peanut.

**Some new things our peanut is doing**

~She rolled over at 15 weeks.  But like I said seems to have no interest in doing it often.

~She has been sitting up pretty well for a while now.  Of course after a little bit she takes that baby dive off to the side or just flat out face plants trying to reach a toy.  It never really seems to bother her too much.  We just sit her back up and she keeps on trucking.

Watching her morning cartoons of course!

~She is finally big enough and strong enough for an exer-saucer!  She loves it and we have so much fun watching her in it.  She is growing up way too fast.

Playing away!

Some super cute pictures for the road...

Being silly with PawPaw

Taking a stroll 

Taking a walk on our nature trails with our new Boba!

She loves sitting on Daddy's shoulders...and chewing his hair! HAHA

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday awesomeness!!

Lounging with more cartoons

Our first picnic for Mommy's birthday!

3 Months...Already?!

Our baby girl is 3 months old...it's truly is hard to believe!  We have loved and cherished every second with her.  I have a hard time grasping that she will be crawling soon, then walking...talking...wow!  I stare at her constantly so that I never forget this time.  I kiss her constantly so I don't forget her smell.  I miss her when she isn't with me...even if she is still in the same room.  I love every part of her!  She is our everything.  

March 10, 2013

She laughed for the first time last week...however we haven't been able to get her to do it again since!

She LOVES music...I mean really loves it.  Sometimes the only way to calm her down is to play certain songs she loves.  Her favorite by far is "He Mele No Lilo" from the movie Lilo and Stitch.  She also loves "Home" by Phillip Phillips.  These 2 songs can literally calm her down in an instant.  


She loves to snuggle...Mommy sure loves this too!

Snuggle Bunny

She is still our paci monster...sometimes it's like she thinks she would waste away without it.  So funny to watch her with it though!

She also loves to be naked.  When we take her clothes off...she gets the giggles.  She begins to coo and talk and kick and smile.  She's a silly one!

Loving the freedom!

She loves playing with her Daddy!  They have such a fun time together, and I absolutely love watching them together.

Dancing to "Home" with Daddy

She also has reflux...  :(  She gets medicine 3 times a day for it, and boy does she hate it. I sure wish she didn't have to take it but it was affecting her eating so there wasn't much of a choice.

We can't wait for all the memories that we will make this month!

Our New Adventure!

So...this family has officially embarked on a new adventure!  CLOTH DIAPERING!  This was something that we had intended to do from birth but simply got overwhelmed with all the research when I was pregnant.  Cloth diapers have come a LONG way since my little booty was in them almost 26 years ago!  Either way after Adelaide was born I had simply forgotten about it really.  Then I was hit with it after seeing more about it pop up on Facebook from other friends.  It was then that I said...Veronica you can do this!  So Alex and I got into the car one day and headed to All About Baby Boutique downtown to do some hands on research.  I had always intended to do all-in-ones (AIO) or pockets so that's what the lady showed us while we were there.  Then she just happened to show us a different system...all-in-twos (AI2).  I was floored...where I had I been this whole time and why was this system a secret to me!?  So once I learned a little more about the AI2s we decided to go home and do a little more research before committing to a certain type.  There are so many different pros and cons to each system but in the end our guts told us to go with the AI2 system.  

So good we are done right?  No way Mr.  Now we had to pick a brand to start with a detergent etc.  So after more research we decided on the flip system which is made by bumgenius.  I am super excited to start this journey for 3 main reasons...1) I'm about to save thousands of dollars (yes thousands) over the course of Miss Adelaide's diaper career.  2) No more chemicals on my baby girl's booty and 3) no more filling landfills with diapers from our household!  Today is day 1!  We are in our first cloth diaper.  I'll let you know how it turns out!  Hopefully super dooper great!  I have no doubts in the cloth diaper way of life, it will just take some getting used to.