Emma's 6 Month Checkup

After realizing Emma turning 7 months next Tuesday I decided I better busta' move and get this post published. Emma had her 6 month check up two weeks ago. She weighted exactly 16 pounds and measured 25 inches. This puts in her in the 50th percentile for weight and 10th percentile for height (Dr. Edwards called her a shorty, not nice. LOL. It's mostly OK being that I'm not exactly tall either). She is perfectly healthy and developmentally right on track except he wasn't convinced she knew her name. I must admit I call her "baby" or "baby girl" too much so I've made it a point to be better.

Barry took Emma outside the other day to wait for Owen's bus. Emma loved the grass.
She was kicking like crazy and putting her hands in it contiually. 

I am happy to report that Emma's silent acid reflux is almost completely under control (only spits up once or twice a day) and her eczema has nearly vanished after starting her on a daily dose of probiotics (good bacteria). For the most part, the Prevacid she was taking and Enfamil AR (added rice) formula alleviated most of her symptoms but she would still spit up a lot and have episodes of heartburn.

Then at 3 months old she started having eczema. It was when I fed her pear puree for the 1st time that I found it triggered her ezcema. Without fail, 5 minutes into her feeding Emma's eczema would be inflamed with little red bumps all over her body. The same reaction happened with applesauce. I did some searching on the Internet and learned that fruit like pears, apples, peaches are quite acidic unlike vegetables and should be avoided by acid reflux sufferers.

I did a little experiment and gave Emma peas for two dinners instead and she didn't have any reaction! Unfortunately even avoiding fruit wasn't 100% foolproof. Sometimes she would still have a reaction and I noticed those were the times when she was having acid reflux issues. I figured the acidity of her stomach  was off kilter and the fruits were making it even worse.  I know bacteria in the stomach play a role in good gut health so I decided to try her on probiotics and it has been an answer to our prayers. She can now eat fruit without any eczema flare ups.

Emma has also had another tooth break through. It is the other tooth in the center of her bottom jaw.

Emma's First Tooth

I shouldn't had been surprised when Emma's first tooth broke through September 2nd. I was given plenty of warning at Emma's last checkup. I wish I had a picture to post but it has been more elusive than when I was trying to take the first picture of her smiling.

To save you from a confusing explanation, I've marked Emma's first tooth on this diagram with a #1.

Last week Emma had her 6 month wellness visit. After feeling in her mouth, Dr. Edwards said he could feel several little bumps. I got a glimpse of Emma's mouth a couple days ago and sure enough the incisor, marked #2, is almost through and #3 is on its way as well. Poor baby and poor mama who has a lot of teething to go through for the next couple months! At least Emma is a very sweet baby and doesn't bite down on my finger with her new tooth when give her Ora-gel or a little gum massage.

Happy Half Birthday Emma!

Emma's aunt Jen took this beautiful picture!

On September 2nd, Emma turned 6 months old! Some days it feels she is growing up way too fast. Usually those are the busy days when I have so much going on. Other days I have nothing to do for the 2 hours between work and Owen getting home from school. That's when I let Emma become my whole world. Time can slow down if choose to let it. I find getting down on the floor to play and be with Emma makes my cup run over.

It was also a special day because September 2nd is her Grandma Jaylene's birthday. She would be 54 this year. I truly believe that birthdays are still important in heaven. Our loved ones must realize that their birthday, for those of us left behind, is a day when we are thinking of them and probably missing them.

Miss Emma I am so glad you were born and that your first parents decided to place you in our family. Happy Half Birthday!

Emma Sitting Up

I've wanted to post about Emma sitting up for weeks. Finding any spare time to get on the computer and getting a post up is next to impossible lately. Both Owen and Emma went to bed early tonight so I jumped at the opportunity before I got distracted doing anything else!

Emma started sitting up on her own about 3 weeks ago. Lately she only falls backward or to the side when she is trying to grab something, like a toy that is out of reach, so we still either sit and play next to her or put a couch pillow or her Boppy pillow behind her. Other times she gets tired of playing and will fall back on purpose.

Here is a short video of Emma when she was first sitting up.



Tenacious and determined  would be the best words to describe Emma these days. She literally launches herself forward when she sees something she wants to grab. She is fairly innate at rolling now, so once she gets to tummy she'll roll toward her destination.

She desperately wants to crawl and she's scooted backwards a few times. She was sitting in the living room the other day when she started pushing her bum off the floor over and over again with her hands on the floor. She was trying to push up just enough to fall onto her knees. Eventually she pushed herself over but her knees couldn't hold her weight so she face planted instead. I don't enjoy seeing her get frustrated, and I especially do not like to see her get bonks, but I'm not pushing her to crawl anytime soon either.

Owen's 1st Day of Kindergarden

Yesterday was Owen's 1st day in kindergarden. He was very excited yet nervous.



On his way back to the nursery from a delivery in Rexburg, Daddy stopped to take him to his school. Despite a hiccup where Owen ended up coming home with our neighbor instead of riding the bus, it seemed Owen had a good day.

What a Cheese!

I talked to his teacher this morning trying to sort out what happened with the bus. Apparently his 1st day wasn't as good as we thought. All day he wouldn't follow directions without putting up a big stink. When it was time to go home, he moved from the bus line into the walking line without being noticed. Good thing one of the neighbor boys spotted him with those waiting to walk home and had him come with him.

After some serious talks with Owen and positive responses from Owen after questioning him after school, I am hoping her next report is much better. I can tell she is a really good teacher and is going to be a great for Owen.