Look Who is Eating Solids!

Emma had her 4 month check up last Wednesday. She weighed at 13 pounds 3 ounces and 23 3/4 inches long which puts her in the 25th percentile. Dr. Edwards said she did  beautifully in all milestone areas like tracking, standing with assistance, and being responsive with smiling, cooing, and laughing when someone interacts with her.

He also called her a show off when she grabbed his scope and tried to put in her mouth as that is a 6 month old milestone. Unfortunately Emma still gets cradle cap and recently has developed eczema from her cheeks all the way to her ankles. Fortunately we are not newbies in eczema care as Owen has had eczema since he was 3 months old too. We already have fragrance free detergent, steroid cream and hydrocortizone but since Owen's eczema does not affect his entire body like it used to we had to get some fragrance free shampoo, lotion, etc for Emma.

Dr. Edwards also said Emma has swollen gums so we can be expecting a tooth sometime soon. I'm so glad she has a reason for drooling and slobbering so much. She wears a bib all day, every day or else she'd end up needing her shirt changed multiple times each day. It's a new experience having a baby who will have teeth before turning one.  

Now for the most exciting part of this post! Yesterday Emma ate rice cereal for the first time and she loved it. She was a totally piggy and ate 4 tablespoons! I could barely get another spoonful ready before she would start smacking her lips for more. Being on AR (added rice) formula I figured she would already know the taste and be used to the thicker consistency. Next week we try oatmeal. 

Did you like that Emma?

You better believe it!

Picnic for Two!

I ran downstairs the other day to get something from my craft area. I'd forgot to shut down the computer so the screensaver was on and I glanced over to catch a picture of Owen when he was just 2 months old. I stood and watched a little longer to see pictures of Owen's first year. I cried thinking how that sweet little baby is no longer so little. Owen has made lots of new friends in our neighborhood this year. I'm so glad because he was really socially isolated. 

But now it seems he always playing with some friend and with work, taking care of Emma, or doing housework I've really missed spending time with him. I realized his time with me being the center of his world is running short so I've started to look for those opportunities to spend time with Owen. So one Saturday afternoon while Barry was still at work and Emma was sleeping, Owen and I had a little picnic in our backyard with peanut butter sandwiches, string cheese, and apple slices, nothing special but we sure had a special time together and that's what matters.

I'm getting to that point where I'm having to evaluate everything I do (even crafts which I decided I am going to buy on Etsy and eBay for now on because I am such an perfectionist) as being worthwhile and meaningful in my life right now. It feels that all the prayer, waiting, and uncertainty we faced for years to have children would be all in vain if I don't take more care in choosing what's the best use of my time while Emma and Owen are still at home.

Emma Update v.2

Emma is now 4 months old. I can hardly believe it is already July. I was looking at pictures of Emma from when we were in Portland to now and I cried seeing how much she has changed. Having waited 4 years for her and being she is likely our last baby, makes her growing up a  very bittersweet experience. Even looking at the picture below of her at 3 months and pictures of her now I can tell a difference. I weighted us the other day and she is some where in the 13 pound range now wearing 3-6 month clothing.

3 months old

4 months old

On a happier note, Emma sure loves her big brother. When Owen stays still long enough you can see Emma watching him. She wants to be able to be on the go too. She'll push with her legs to scoot a little on the floor. She's rubbed off a lot of hair that way. Emma desperately wants to roll over and she can get to her side at times. She'll roll just enough so she can see what is going on behind her. Once she figures out to lift her legs as she swings over her arm then she'll be rolling over in no time.

She wants to eat more so we tried 5 to 6 ounces and that made her acid reflux act up. We went back to 4 oz and just feed her more frequently but even that doesn't work all the time. Her 4 month wellness check is Tuesday so hopefully he gives us the OK to start cereal and/or increases her medicine's dose.


Our swing has been such a godsend the past month. One afternoon I was struggling to put her down despite her being so tired, so on a whim I put her in our swing hoping the motion would put her to sleep. Not only did she finally fall asleep but she also slept 3 hours! I've found I even have to turn the swing off after an hour or else she will sleep too long. I figure besides the motion, the little clicking noise the motor makes as it swings helps too.

Emma's favorite toys are her elephant and her doll Dolly (original name I know). Anything that goes into Emma's hands ends up also in her mouth including Dolly's braids. 

Emma has learned how to growl She picked it up from Barry as he likes to growl when he's tickling her belly with his face. A funny thing happened last week when Barry's dad went to hold Emma. He only a minute to hold her and the moment she got into his arms then she he growled. I told him not to take it personally as she has growled at me a couple times. Now she will growl when she doesn't like something that is going on.