Sunday, February 12, 2012

Month Five With Little m

Month five with Little m included a lot of "firsts": first Christmas, first trip to Ottawa to visit her Nanny and Grampie, first (and only) baptism, first NHL game, first taste of sweet potato and oatmeal cereal, first New Year's Eve, first time in Florida to visit her Grandma and Grandpa, first time swimming in a pool, and first time sleeping more than 3-4 hours at a time (thank the Lord). Phewf, busy month!
This month also included her first taste of formula, which (stupidly) nearly killed me to feed her. I started taking a medication called domperidone to increase my milk supply and yay, happy day, she no longer needs to be supplemented. I wish I started taking this medication months ago and of course feel guilty because she was probably hungry this entire time. I know, I know, I know, there's nothing wrong with formula, but I'm very happy to be exclusively breastfeeding once again.
As I mentioned in this post, month five was an EXTREMELY difficult month for sleeping. The worst yet. I reached my breaking point and felt I had no other choice but to sleep train the dear child. It was heartbreaking, but I can't even explain how much happier we are now that sleep is occurring more often and for longer periods of time. Little M basically works like a clock and goes down for her first nap an hour and a half after waking, then every two hours after that. She goes to bed between 7-8pm and wakes up 1-2 times per night. I no longer spend entire days trying to get her to nap and failing every time. It's a miracle, is what it is.

Some of the peanut's favourite things include chewing on Sophie the giraffe, laying under her play mat, dancing with her Grandpa to Johnny Reid, eating and watching people eat, and caressing/clawing my face while she nurses. Oh, and she also loves watching the tv, especially hockey. I wonder *coughMcough* who she gets this from?! I rarely have the tv on during the day, so it's definitely not me!
I must say, this child of ours is truly a delight. She's the most smiley baby I've ever seen. My friend Jules recently said that Little m smiles as though she owns the world. I thought that was so sweet. We work hard for her giggles by making crazy noises and pretending to eat her toes but hearing the laughter is so rewarding.

Everyone tells new mothers, "Just survive the first six weeks." Seriously? It's more like survive the first six months. I finally feel as though I have a bit of a handle on things. It's a really darn good feeling to have. And of course, everything will change tomorrow, but for now I'm very much enjoying spending my days with this special little girl.

7 comments:

  1. She does smile like she owns the world! Yes once they sleep better things are so much more manageable! I'm glad you are enjoying your LO.

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  2. I can say that I witnessed the transformation of little m when you were visiting us in Florida. I saw how hard it was for you to let her cry it out the first few nights but then it got easier and easier and little m seemed so much happier when she was awake because she wasn't so tired from not getting proper sleep. I agree she is the happiest, smiliest baby I've ever seen. She just lights up the room with her smiles!! You and big M make me so proud when I see how you have both become such great parents!! So what if she likes to hang out and watch hockey with her daddy... lol!!

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  3. I have a feeling that this is a conversation I will have in the future:

    m: Dad, can I watch TV?
    M: is your homework done?
    m: no, but the NHL playoffs are on
    M: who needs homework, turn on that TV and grab me a beer!

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  4. Um, we had the same conversation with you M, without the beer of course ;)

    Poor little m, she comes from a long line of hockey fans - its genetic. I full expect her to be geared up for the ice herself by the time she's 5! And grampie will be moving to wherever you are so he can coach the team!

    Keep smiling pretty girl!

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  5. Oh skating by 2 yes, playing hockey by 5 I meant :)

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