Melanie is 5 months old! I swear every month goes faster than the last. Here we go.
She rolls! But she only rolls from her back to her front, so she's been getting lots of tummy time. I usually leave her that way until she voices her distress.
She understands that she can get to things by rolling, so she is always looking around to see what she can reach.
She gives lots of smiles.
She will purposely hold back laughs when she is being tickled. It's pretty funny to see her squirm, grin, then put on a serious face.
She loves faces and always reaches up to touch cheeks or to grab a nose or lip.
She is much better at manipulating toys in her hands to get them into her mouth the way she wants them. Her favorites are the set of rattles that she got from Grandpa Moore and Sophie the Giraffe.
We have added books to her bedtime routine, and she seems to enjoy them. She at least likes grabbing at the pages and trying to eat them.
Sometimes in the morning she wakes up without crying. I'll hear her kicking her crib or making noises to herself. I peek in to find her looking at herself in the mirror or rolling on her side. She gives me a big grin when she sees me.
She likes to pull on Spencer's beard whenever she gets a chance, and she's getting faster.
A good laugh from Melanie always makes me happy. She usually gives the biggest laugh when she's anticipating the next tickle or "oooga-booga-boo".
In all, she's a little bundle of wiggles and fun. We love her so much.
Check back for some pictures.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Strawberries
Melanie tried strawberries for the first time today.
P.S. I set a very wiggly Melanie down on her back so I could upload these pictures and I heard her filling her diaper. I looked over and she was on her tummy! So there you go. I missed her first time rolling over.
P.P.S. Don't worry. She just did it again and I was watching. :)
Monday, January 19, 2015
Sleep Training and Other Less Stressful Things
Well, we've been back in Mt. Pleasant for a couple of weeks now. When we first got back, Melanie was still a little bit congested, so when she cried about being put in her crib we didn't fight it. After a week of her sleeping in her car seat, I decided that we needed to be done with it. We also were going through the transition to not using a swaddle during that first week back, and I think the car seat helped her feel a little more secure than just laying in the crib. Anyway, she was finally sleeping not swaddled, but only in her car seat, so I decided it's just time to take the plunge and get this sleep training thing going.
The first night I tried it she was crying for a while... and Spencer said he wanted to go rock her. I said fine, but she has to sleep in her crib. So he worked his magic and got her to bed in her crib. Seriously, for the life of me, I couldn't do it. She'd cry no matter what I did unless I was nursing her. Some days you just can't win. Anyway, that night when I got up to change and feed her, she cried and cried the entire time I was changing her diaper, which isn't normal, and I ended up putting her in her car seat.
That night was pretty rough for me. I wasn't feeling like super mom. I was also thinking a lot about sending her to daycare and all these other things. (Like how we found out that this spring there will be about 3 weeks of overlap in our coursework, so we have to arrange child care for that and I just don't know what we're going to do yet.) Add letting your baby cry to the mix, and I pretty much just felt like crying all night, too.
The next day I talked with Dad for a while and he helped reassure me that everything was going to be okay. Thanks, Dad. :) I decided to give sleep training another shot, and to not give up on it this time. So, day 1 went alright. Today she is doing better than yesterday, so I'm hopeful that in a couple more days she'll go down happily.
On a happier note, we've done a few things with some of people. We had a game night with Spencer's classmate Len and his wife, Lauren. They are both really nice and I hope we have more get togethers in the future. Friday night we had another game night with a few of his classmates. It was fun and we stayed out way past Melanie's bedtime, but she was happy and charming. She LOVED Zach and just stared at him or grabbed at his face for most of the time we were there. It was pretty funny. I'm always so grateful that Melanie is such an easy-going baby when we go out. It makes me think that we should go out more often, but we don't.
Melanie and I had a nice visit with Sister Graham, who is in our ward and our next door neighbor. She invited me over for lunch and we had a nice time chatting. I helped her use some 3M strips to hang some of her pictures, too. Melanie hung out, gave some happy smiles, and even rolled over for the first time (front to back)! Twice! She hasn't repeated it since then, and Spencer's a little disappointed, I think.
School picked right back up at full speed for Spencer. He's starting organ systems this semester, so it should be pretty interesting for him. I'm readjusting to not having him around all day. He does have a long weekend, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, so that's pretty nice. I'm not sure that we'll do anything in particular, but I'm always happy to have him home for an extra day.
The first night I tried it she was crying for a while... and Spencer said he wanted to go rock her. I said fine, but she has to sleep in her crib. So he worked his magic and got her to bed in her crib. Seriously, for the life of me, I couldn't do it. She'd cry no matter what I did unless I was nursing her. Some days you just can't win. Anyway, that night when I got up to change and feed her, she cried and cried the entire time I was changing her diaper, which isn't normal, and I ended up putting her in her car seat.
That night was pretty rough for me. I wasn't feeling like super mom. I was also thinking a lot about sending her to daycare and all these other things. (Like how we found out that this spring there will be about 3 weeks of overlap in our coursework, so we have to arrange child care for that and I just don't know what we're going to do yet.) Add letting your baby cry to the mix, and I pretty much just felt like crying all night, too.
The next day I talked with Dad for a while and he helped reassure me that everything was going to be okay. Thanks, Dad. :) I decided to give sleep training another shot, and to not give up on it this time. So, day 1 went alright. Today she is doing better than yesterday, so I'm hopeful that in a couple more days she'll go down happily.
On a happier note, we've done a few things with some of people. We had a game night with Spencer's classmate Len and his wife, Lauren. They are both really nice and I hope we have more get togethers in the future. Friday night we had another game night with a few of his classmates. It was fun and we stayed out way past Melanie's bedtime, but she was happy and charming. She LOVED Zach and just stared at him or grabbed at his face for most of the time we were there. It was pretty funny. I'm always so grateful that Melanie is such an easy-going baby when we go out. It makes me think that we should go out more often, but we don't.
Melanie and I had a nice visit with Sister Graham, who is in our ward and our next door neighbor. She invited me over for lunch and we had a nice time chatting. I helped her use some 3M strips to hang some of her pictures, too. Melanie hung out, gave some happy smiles, and even rolled over for the first time (front to back)! Twice! She hasn't repeated it since then, and Spencer's a little disappointed, I think.
School picked right back up at full speed for Spencer. He's starting organ systems this semester, so it should be pretty interesting for him. I'm readjusting to not having him around all day. He does have a long weekend, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, so that's pretty nice. I'm not sure that we'll do anything in particular, but I'm always happy to have him home for an extra day.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Holidays in Ironwood
We got into Ironwood the evening of the 23rd. It wasn't too late, but the last couple hours of the drive felt very long. Some of the roads weren't plowed very well and driving conditions weren't great. Melanie was pretty upset for the last 15 or 20 minutes, but she calmed down when we pulled into the driveway.
I was so exciting to see everyone! I interrupted the night-time process for the Ferrell kids - it didn't sound like it was going that well anyway. ;) - to say hi and let them see Melanie for a minute. The kids all loved her and were really good with her, especially Katie! Aiden threw a toy at one point and it smacked Melanie right in the forehead, giving her a little goose egg. She was really unhappy about that. Jane asked to hold her every time she saw her. Jack and Aiden would sometimes come take a look, but they were mostly busy doing their own things.
Janny stopped by to visit a few times! Oh, we love Janny! We also went by the shop to visit Dad and to have Melanie's "first visit to Grandpa's shop" picture taken! She is officially on the wall!
Tyler, Katie, and Spencer went skiing one day. It was the first time Spencer had ever gone, so it was really fun for Katie to have someone to teach. It sounded like he had a really good time, but he was sore for a few days afterward. Especially since he let Tyler talk him into going down a black diamond.
Christmas was beautiful and magical and all that good stuff. Melanie was a little late to the party, but she joined in when she woke up. She got all sorts of fun toys and, my personal favorite, a set of Dr. Seuss books from James and Miranda! I got every kitchen thing needed to cook a turkey including a meat thermometer that gobbles, a roasting dome, and an electric knife! And a very sharp regular knife. Spencer got a fire safe, some choppers (mittens), and a drill. Among other things. Oh, and Dad bought us CMed sweatshirts and a polo for me. We got a CMed t-shirt for him. haha.
Breakfast was awesome, of course, and then we just had a nice day playing with our things, eating candy, and spending time as a family.
Spencer played a couple games of Monopoly with Katie and Jane, which is no small test of patience and endurance. They love him.
A few days after Christmas, AnnaMarie and Tyler went back home and a day later Michael and Caroline came up!
It was so fun to see them! Their kids were all great with Melanie. Hannah was very aware of her. Melanie got a pack of rattles, etc. for Christmas and Hannah liked to play with them. One time I asked her to give the little blue one to Melanie (It's the easiest one for her to hold.) and that she could play with the other three. Every time she'd get the rattles out, she'd see the blue one and run to find Melanie "Baby Meeaneee!"
A few days into Michael and Caroline's visit Melanie came down with a fever and congestion. It was very sad and the three of us had a few sleepless nights. Poor Melanie couldn't breathe through her nose, so she'd wake up crying every 30 minutes. Eventually her fever broke, but we ended up sleeping her in her car seat for the rest of the trip so her sinuses would drain better and we could all get some sleep.
New Years was fun. We had a variety of snacks and once the kids were in bed we watched had a Back to the Future marathon. The 2nd one takes place in 2015 and we finished it just before midnight. I tried staying up for the last one, but I just kept falling asleep. Michael and Spencer made it through. A couple nights later we did an Indiana Jones trilogy night (excluding the newest one - because it stinks.). Again, I couldn't quite make it through the last one. I was so disappointed with myself. By this point I had caught whatever Melanie had, so I wasn't feeling well anyway.
On the 3rd, we got the news that Marianne and Seth were heading to the hospital to have Ellowyn! Less than 2 hours later we got the news that she was here! It was so fast, but everything went smoothly and Ellowyn is one pretty baby. I can't wait to meet her and I wish so much that I could fly out there to help and visit.
We were going to head back the Monday before classes started for Spencer, but Christy had a snow day, so we decided to spend the day with her. I'm glad we did. She was always so busy with the other kids -- they love her SO much! -- that we didn't get to spend a whole lot of quality time with her. It was fun. We headed out Tuesday morning instead. Our drive went well. Melanie slept for the first half of it! Then we stopped for gas so I could change and feed her. I sat in the back with her after that stop and she'd play for a while and then sleep for a while the rest of the way home. She's a good little traveler. It makes me want to do it again someday.
Christy and Melanie having a good time. :)
That's a lot of presents!
Haha. I just really like that the dwarfs are shorter than the rest.
Thanks James and Miranda! We've been reading them at bedtime.
I love Christmas morning.
Melanie joining the party.
She didn't really get it, but next year she'll be all over that wrapping paper!
Merry Christmas!
I came down one morning to find these 4 like this, all watching TV together.
Brett and Sherry got this cute Dumbo toy for her. The day everyone went to visit them was the day that Melanie's fever was the worst, so we decided we should stay home with her. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see them this trip, but maybe next time. We did visit with Janet at a coffee shop one morning. That was nice to get caught up with her.
January 1st night, after everyone else was in bed, Melanie was in a silly mood. She kept sticking her tongue out like this and she didn't stop for a few days! It was pretty funny. Anyway, she was happy and giggly and the three of us had a happy time together in our room.
On the way home. Thanks for the great stay, everyone!
I was so exciting to see everyone! I interrupted the night-time process for the Ferrell kids - it didn't sound like it was going that well anyway. ;) - to say hi and let them see Melanie for a minute. The kids all loved her and were really good with her, especially Katie! Aiden threw a toy at one point and it smacked Melanie right in the forehead, giving her a little goose egg. She was really unhappy about that. Jane asked to hold her every time she saw her. Jack and Aiden would sometimes come take a look, but they were mostly busy doing their own things.
Janny stopped by to visit a few times! Oh, we love Janny! We also went by the shop to visit Dad and to have Melanie's "first visit to Grandpa's shop" picture taken! She is officially on the wall!
Tyler, Katie, and Spencer went skiing one day. It was the first time Spencer had ever gone, so it was really fun for Katie to have someone to teach. It sounded like he had a really good time, but he was sore for a few days afterward. Especially since he let Tyler talk him into going down a black diamond.
Christmas was beautiful and magical and all that good stuff. Melanie was a little late to the party, but she joined in when she woke up. She got all sorts of fun toys and, my personal favorite, a set of Dr. Seuss books from James and Miranda! I got every kitchen thing needed to cook a turkey including a meat thermometer that gobbles, a roasting dome, and an electric knife! And a very sharp regular knife. Spencer got a fire safe, some choppers (mittens), and a drill. Among other things. Oh, and Dad bought us CMed sweatshirts and a polo for me. We got a CMed t-shirt for him. haha.
Breakfast was awesome, of course, and then we just had a nice day playing with our things, eating candy, and spending time as a family.
Spencer played a couple games of Monopoly with Katie and Jane, which is no small test of patience and endurance. They love him.
A few days after Christmas, AnnaMarie and Tyler went back home and a day later Michael and Caroline came up!
It was so fun to see them! Their kids were all great with Melanie. Hannah was very aware of her. Melanie got a pack of rattles, etc. for Christmas and Hannah liked to play with them. One time I asked her to give the little blue one to Melanie (It's the easiest one for her to hold.) and that she could play with the other three. Every time she'd get the rattles out, she'd see the blue one and run to find Melanie "Baby Meeaneee!"
A few days into Michael and Caroline's visit Melanie came down with a fever and congestion. It was very sad and the three of us had a few sleepless nights. Poor Melanie couldn't breathe through her nose, so she'd wake up crying every 30 minutes. Eventually her fever broke, but we ended up sleeping her in her car seat for the rest of the trip so her sinuses would drain better and we could all get some sleep.
New Years was fun. We had a variety of snacks and once the kids were in bed we watched had a Back to the Future marathon. The 2nd one takes place in 2015 and we finished it just before midnight. I tried staying up for the last one, but I just kept falling asleep. Michael and Spencer made it through. A couple nights later we did an Indiana Jones trilogy night (excluding the newest one - because it stinks.). Again, I couldn't quite make it through the last one. I was so disappointed with myself. By this point I had caught whatever Melanie had, so I wasn't feeling well anyway.
On the 3rd, we got the news that Marianne and Seth were heading to the hospital to have Ellowyn! Less than 2 hours later we got the news that she was here! It was so fast, but everything went smoothly and Ellowyn is one pretty baby. I can't wait to meet her and I wish so much that I could fly out there to help and visit.
We were going to head back the Monday before classes started for Spencer, but Christy had a snow day, so we decided to spend the day with her. I'm glad we did. She was always so busy with the other kids -- they love her SO much! -- that we didn't get to spend a whole lot of quality time with her. It was fun. We headed out Tuesday morning instead. Our drive went well. Melanie slept for the first half of it! Then we stopped for gas so I could change and feed her. I sat in the back with her after that stop and she'd play for a while and then sleep for a while the rest of the way home. She's a good little traveler. It makes me want to do it again someday.
Christy and Melanie having a good time. :)
That's a lot of presents!
Haha. I just really like that the dwarfs are shorter than the rest.
Thanks James and Miranda! We've been reading them at bedtime.
I love Christmas morning.
Melanie joining the party.
She didn't really get it, but next year she'll be all over that wrapping paper!
Merry Christmas!
I came down one morning to find these 4 like this, all watching TV together.
Brett and Sherry got this cute Dumbo toy for her. The day everyone went to visit them was the day that Melanie's fever was the worst, so we decided we should stay home with her. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see them this trip, but maybe next time. We did visit with Janet at a coffee shop one morning. That was nice to get caught up with her.
January 1st night, after everyone else was in bed, Melanie was in a silly mood. She kept sticking her tongue out like this and she didn't stop for a few days! It was pretty funny. Anyway, she was happy and giggly and the three of us had a happy time together in our room.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)