Ellie's 1/2 Birthday!

Wow. I seriously can't believe my angel is already SIX months old! Growing like a weed, she weighs in at 17 lbs 14 oz and is 26.5 inches long. Her front bottom two teeth have made their debut and she loves gumming everything. She also eats anything in sight, including attempts at her bibs and socks. Favorite foods are: sweet potatoes, carrots, apples and bananas. But momma trumps all.

Six months of successful breastfeeding, quite a feat in itself.  

There is so much now she is able to do. She is sitting unassisted (but still likes to nose dive occasionally), saying da-da-da-da, and giggling all day and night. She has the sweetest personality! 

This is one of my favorite pictures. It was taken at her 6 mo check up with Cathy Stange, her pediatric nurse practitioner. Ellie loved her hair! Cathy not only has provided her care since birth, but is also one of my greatest role models and mentors. She has inspired me to continue my education to become a pediatric nurse practitioner as well. 

Ellie Is One Month Old!

October 30th. One month down, a lifetime to go. As an avid Pinterest-er, I had all these ideas of how to do these cute monthly updates. But, it's not as easy as it looks. 

Looking back, my heart is overflowing with love. 

Breastfeeding. Wow. No wonder so many women give up in the first few days after delivery. It is supposed to be this easy, "natural" thing your body does. Well, it's not easy. It is natural, yes, but that doesn't make it feel any less awkward. Or painless for that matter. I seriously didn't understand why women would want a second, third, etc. baby after the trials of a first. Ellie ate for 45 min - 1 hr every two hours. So, I had an hour before I was strapped back down to be this 'milk cow'. (I truly felt like a cow, and that was all I was good for). Thankfully now, after a few months of successful breastfeeding with all of its ups and downs, I love the bond we have developed... and feel far from a milk cow! 

Ellie did all normal one-month old things: eating, sleeping and pooping. A LOT of pooping. I have never seen so many dirty diapers. It was quite comical. Because she was such an avid pooper, Jerry refused to change her diapers, for fear of having it touch his hand. I think he changed one diaper while she was itty-bitty. (He's changed 3 her whole life, so far). The first time he changed her, he didn't put it on tight enough and had poop down the front of him.

She was also really good with head control-from the get-go. Her favorite things were her soothie lamb, being rocked by daddy, and bright lights. She hated, hated, hated bath time and diaper changes. She pooped throughout bath-time, screaming her head off. Also, while changing her diaper, she would poop on you mid change, or right after you got a clean diaper under her.

As hard as this month was, I wouldn't change a thing. A day after her "month" birthday, was her first Halloween. So, Happy Halloween!