Baby + Mama: Ten Month Update

Mama update:  I'm still keeping up with Soulcycle and core exercises on the weekends with Kayla Itsines.  I've been slacking off on the Kayla Itsines mostly because I started having foot pain again.  The exercises in the routines rely on a lot of jumping that sometimes hurt my feet.  I had this foot pain about three years ago and it has to do with me wearing a lot of flat shoes when I was in my 20s.  I am going to acupuncture for it, which is helping. I need to see a reflexologist to pin point the issue instead of relying on cortisone shots like I had in the past. I don't want to become reliant on a practice that will be not so good in the long run. I am not so sure my foot pain came back from carrying Juniper, but I think it has more to do with my job.

Juniper update:

1. Juniper felt snow for the first time. We went to Mammoth, put her in a snow suit and let her crawl around. She even tasted the snow. Thank goodness I brought her sunglasses because it was really bright.

2. She sat in a grocery car for the first time.  I know what you are thinking, "you are a such a germ-a-phobe." Yes, to a certain degree I am weird about germs, but I think that it was time she experience how to accompany me while shopping without putting out my back. I also bought her the best bib in the world. I initially started using the oxo foldable bib, which is good for traveling; however, I wanted to have a bib that was super easy to clean.

3. She eats on her own, sometimes.  A part of me was afraid of the mess and that she would choke, but I had to let go of this fear.  I alternate between letting her eat and spoon feeding her out of convenience.  She is in love with anything flavored with chicken. 

4. She likes hanging out in a sling.  She has become slightly clingy. I read that this is normal, so in order to appease her, I have her in the sling while I cook and do errands around the house. 

5. She started pointing.  She wants to know the name of everything lately.  She is very interested in Herbert (our bichonpoo) and what he does. She always tries to taste his food and play with his toys. 

Baby + Mama: Five Month Update

Mama update: I finally made it out to the dentist and had to fix some fillings. So, mamas, make sure you take good care of your teeth.  I had two cracked cavities. I attribute that to probably grinding my teeth while giving birth or forgetting to wear my mouth guard while taking naps. I'm still losing hair (I talk about it here), but I am getting better at strategizing on how I don't want it to fall all over the place. Braiding my hair has come in handy, as well as keeping my hair in a loose bun.  However, I think things are leveling out because the amount of hair I am losing this month is not like last month's nightmare.

Juniper update:

1. Juniper loves to scream. She screams for excitement and attention. She screams more than she babbles, either way, it's so flipping cute. 

2. She recognizes songs and loves Buenas Noches, Luna. I made up a song I sing to her right before she goes to bed and she smiles every time I sing it.  I started singing this song to her when she was a newborn and it's fun to see how she recognizes it and associates it with going to sleep. I follow her night time feed with Buenas Noches, Luna by Margaret Wise Brown. I love this book. I like that she gets a little bit of Spanish integrated into her day.  The illustrations are classic and somewhat creepy, but I love it. 

3. Drooling, raspberries, and chewing on her hands are her favorite pastime.  Juniper is drooling a lot. She is drooling so much that we have to put a bib on her during the day so she doesn't have a wet chest.  She discovered how to make raspberries and was doing them non-stop for a couple of days.  She prefers to put her hands in her mouth over toys.  She is quite fascinated with her hands and I would find her staring at her hands lying awake in her crib.

4. She rolls to her tummy (preferably the left side) and can sit up with us watching her. She rolled over in her crib for the first time. Justin caught it on the Nest cam. I wish I could have been there to witness it because we practice all day.  Unfortunately, she cannot roll onto her back, so she will often cry telling us she needs help to get on her back.  She can also sit up while using her hands to support herself. 

5. Finally, she sleeps through the night.  I was hesitant about moving from her bassinet to the crib for selfish reasons, but I knew deep down inside she needed more space and peace to sleep longer.  It took her about a week to fully sleep through the night while transitioning to her crib.  She prefers sleeping on her side and she couldn't do that in the bassinet due to limited space.  This began towards the end of her fourth month.

*Her cute green daisy dress can be purchased here.

Baby + Mama: Three Month Update

I can't believe I am writing about Juniper's three-month update. It seems like yesterday that she was just born. Everyone keeps on reminding me to soak up this precious time. I am doing my best to soak in every minute. 

Mama update: I'm definitely feeling more confident taking Juniper out now. Initially, I was so scared that something would happen to her.  It's definitely scary taking a tiny baby out by yourself, but having my mama friends to help me during the process was extremely helpful.  There are so many things to think about bringing when you are out with a baby. I am looking forward to going to a mom support group to meet new moms and learn new things.  Also, I am getting better with juggling eating/making food with baby.  I will make my best of sleep times and make food way in advance. I think the key here is making/prepping the food in advance; otherwise, I get stuck eating quick snacks, which is not always a good idea and the most nutritious. 

Juniper update:

1. Juniper is more awake after her feedings and is going out more.  Juniper went to a birthday party, Trader Joe's, Target, and out to brunch at Cos and Pi, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, and Kitchen Mouse. She also attended a pre/post natal yoga class at Yoga Darsana with me.

2. She can handle longer periods of tummy time. I feel so silly. I had been using the Boppy to prop her up after feedings when I was busy getting ready for the day or making breakfast.  However, I completely forgot that you could have her on her belly with this thing too. She hated tummy time on her mattress.  She only likes tummy time on me or on the Boppy. 

3. She enjoys looking in the mirror and babbling. She mostly makes faces in the mirror, chats, and sometimes has the biggest smile.  She is especially conversational in the morning and sometimes we even hear a small giggle.

4.  She enjoys sleeping the the Nuna Leaf during the day and her bassinet at night. She is becoming an excellent sleeper.  We feed her when we go to bed (dream feed) and wake up once to feed her at night and is now learning how to self soothe.  When she was super tiny Justin and I were very attentive to meet all of her needs and now she is able to be a little bit more independent.  I am imagining that she is trusting the idea that her needs will be met at this point.  

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