Our Three Day Weekend

My husband had three days off, in a row, and it felt like a real vacation. We had planned to do some outdoorsy-naturey things, but G ended up getting sick...such is life.

We did go for a jog and to the park on Friday afternoon, because my husband got home from work a few hours early. We went to a new park on Saturday morning on our way to the Farmers' Market. I made my cheesecake in the afternoon and the other two played. We had awesome grilled steaks for dinner that night.

My husband marinated and grilled our fancy steaks.

thought my dad would enjoy a photo of our Bean Crock :-)

Sunday is when the illness struck. She had a runny nose when she woke up and church was borderline-WWIII. It actually started out really nice and I thought we were going to have an easy time....HA. Starting around the Sanctus she started having a meltdown, so I stepped to the side with her. I tried to go back to kneel...fail. My husband took her to the back and returned around the sign of peace. We made it to communion as a family but then I took her out because she started screaming. She kept screaming, despite me letting her walk around the fountain area outside. It was clear something was wrong. I blame her Prevnar shot that she got on Thursday. She always has a reaction to that shot. Always. And it's always a few days afterwards. I'll be writing a post about it soon. Long story short, Sunday was pretty much a bust. We all took a long nap in the afternoon and then went out to eat. Dinner out is always a treat, but this wasn't as much of a treat since she wasn't in the greatest mood.
Monday was going to be our day to hit up a regional park or see Mt. Diablo...but G was in a royal mood all morning. We considered ourselves lucky to get in an afternoon jog. We grilled out again and watched the latest episode of Mad Men (which was one of the craziest they've ever made, in my opinion).

does not like cheesecake, even if it has strawberries in it!

It was a really relaxing weekend...until G started being super crabby and sick. Hopefully she kicks it soon because I'm doing solo parenting at the end of the week while my husband has a business trip. I had plans to fill our time, but if she is still sick....let's just say I might go crazy from being home-bound with an irritable 15 month old.

G's Half Birthday

6 months old!

 Dear G,

Yesterday you turned 6 months old. I can't believe we made it! (haha) First of all, when I was pregnant, it seemed like you would never come. Then you came and we were so wrapped up in learning how to be parents and take care of a newborn. I couldn't believe it when we made it to 1 month, 6 weeks, 2 months, 3 months...you get the picture. I think these "month birthdays" are more for parents to celebrate making it so far. We love being your momma and daddy, but sometimes it is tough work! You can't talk yet, and even though we are pretty good at deciphering your cries, we still are at a loss sometimes. You are also very rambunctious (for your age), and it's exhausting keeping up with you sometimes! I know it will only get tougher as you grow! I am glad, though, that you are a wiggle worm and an adventurous baby, because it is so fun to watch. As for your size, I think you are perfect (of course), but people often underestimate your age because you are pretty "thin" compared to the often ginormous formula babies. Most recently, people have guessed your age (I don't ask them, they volunteer this information) to be about 4 months. You are really tall for your age, but quite average for your weight--thus you look small because your weight is stretched out.

my little cutie!

We went to the doctor yesterday and you got your Dtap and HiB shots (read about our vaccination plan). Hopefully you aren't really effected like you were after the first round of these two (you did pass out about 10 minutes after getting them-not a normal nap time). We also got some 'official' stats. I love seeing the progress you and I have made. Because I am still nursing you (no plans to wean anytime soon), I feel like this is a check up on me, too. I get really proud to see you grow. I know that formula would make you grow too, and I would be feeding you still, but with breastfeeding I just feel like my body has helped you grow, and that feels amazing.

Weight: 15 lbs 8.5 oz (43%)
Height: 26.75" (83%)
Head Circumference: 17" (72%)

You:
are crawling (army style mostly)
sit up perfectly (although you eventually get tired of it and like to lean over)
enjoy getting people to smile at you through your silly antics
are the wiggliest/squirmiest baby I've ever seen, everyone that meets you agrees
kick your legs in excitement, all.the.time
are not really a snuggler (sad), but sometimes I can get you to cuddle with me, and I love that!
don't cry very often, but when you do, it is melt down city!
eat cereal (first time 8/4)
have tried bananas (first time 8/19)
sleep through the night almost every night
have bed time between 6:45 - 7:45 pm
wake up between 6-6:45 am

Most recently, you've started to SCREAM at bed time. You had been able to put yourself to sleep, but now, apparently, it's almost impossible (I'll write a sleep blog later).
You love getting into anything you can find, especially shoes or bright colored stuff, or toes!

a popular new face

Cliche as usual, it seems like just yesterday the midwife put you on my tummy after your daddy and I worked so hard to get you out ( mostly me ;-) ). You've been such a blessing and I'm starting to (almost) forget what life was like before you! We fit nicely together, and our family unit is so strong already. Daddy and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in these next six months!

Vaccinations

Dear G,
We just got back from your 5 month shots. It was just a quick visit because typically babies don't go to the doctor at 5 months...but because we are doing an alternative vaccine schedule, we went for 2 shots today. Dr. Rahto was on vacation (lucky man) so we saw Dr. Brunner's nurses. Dr. Brunner is who saw you in the hospital and at 7 days old. She's awesome, so it's nice to have her as our back up.
Today you received the vaccinations for Polio (IPV) and pneumoccocal conjugate (PCV13). At your 4 month appointment you received the DTaP and HIB vaccines.
Daddy went the first time because I didn't know if I could handle you getting purposefully poked. It was sad, but you did well. So, I didn't think he needed to ask off this time. We went alone & I'm so happy to say: we did great!!
You cried out a little bit right after the shock/prick pain sunk in...but as soon as I picked you up, you gave us all some smiles :-) I kept my game face on and didn't let you see how nervous I was.
You are so smiley, everyone comments on how much of a happy baby you are! I'd like to take some credit for that, but mostly it's just you! You're so amazing.

So some may ask why we aren't following the CDC recommended vaccine schedule...it's because through all of my research, it just doesn't seem like a baby benefits from receiving 6+ shots at once! I understand that vaccinations are beneficial at erradicating diseases and helping people from not getting sick. You will receive almost all of the vaccines but not at the typical times. We won't be doing the rotovirus, flu, or chicken pox vaccine. Those immunities, for now, you'll get through breast milk. The rest are set back 2 months and spaced out.

The CDC schedules have babies getting the hepatitis b vaccine at birth. We declined that because you are not at high risk for that. Dr. Rahto agreed we can wait until closer to kindergarten for the HepB series. The next recommendation is to get lots (6) vaccinations starting at 2 months, which we declined. We started your shots at 4 months. It gave you some more time to build up your own immune system, love being a natural baby longer, and avoid adverse reactions in such a young baby. The remaining 4 (from declining rotovirus & pushing back HepB) are split on a 4/6/8 and a 5/7/9 schedule. The nice thing that Dr. Rahto keeps reiterating is that your birthday is at a really good time because you'll have all your main shots in before the winter, even with delaying them.

I encourage all new moms and dads to do their research about vaccinations. Ask questions. Find good doctors who have open and honest conversations with you about why/how/etc the CDC says what they say...

But don't worry baby girl, we do want you to be safe(r) from getting sick, so you'll be getting those shots. I say safe(r) because vaccines don't make you 100% safe from getting a disease.

There are more shots to discuss, but I'll do that when the time comes (after 1 yr old).