6 months

Leah is almost half a year old! I cannot believe how fast it is going!!!

She has been sick with RSV and bronciolitis for 8 days now. She had a fever and would cough up so much snot....she is better now! Julian and I were with her for the first 4 days and then when we went to work her Lola watched her for the last 3 and helped her get better. She is still sick but much better. Julian's mom lives w us for half the week so we don't have to put Leah in daycare. We are very grateful for her.

We arestarting solids this week! Probably we will start this weekend with rice cereal!

swimming

Today Leah went swimming for the first time. We went to an open swim with our friends Pam, Rhys, and Loz. Rhys has been doing swim lessons for some time now because Pam stays at home with him.

The pool was at someone's house and it had a huge bubble over it. Julian said it reminded him of ET. Anyway, the pool was really warm and was a salt water pool which is better for the babies. I played with her in the water and she kicked along. It was so cute. Then Julian came in the pool too and we learned how to safely put her under water....He did the honors first by blowing in her face until she breathes all the way in and then put her under water....I did it after. She wasn't scared at all! I think we were more nervous! It was a fun memory.

Tomorrow is Julian's 27th birthday. We are going to spend some time just the three of us and then his parents are coming over to say hi and we are going out to dinner/watching the superbowl.

Happy birthday, Julian! Love you!

vaccines

Well, I am learning that I shoudln't say that I will never do something because I keep adding things to my list of things I said I'd never do as a mother....now added to the list: questioning the vaccine schedule. It's a personal thing and I know can be quite controversial and so each person needs to do what they feel is best for their child. I have been getting Leah vaccinated at the rate that the doctors reccommend but have been reading about the high level of aluminum toxicity in the shots and may think about spreading the shots out a bit. She'd still get them all but just in less potent forms. I am most concerned about the MMR vaccine which is rec when she is 1. That is the one that a lot of people think contributes to autism (which may or may not be credible) I am looking into delaying that vaccine until she is at least 2. Given that she is a breastfed baby and probably will be until she is 18 months or so (we'll see about that but that's my present goal) tied with the fact that she's not in daycare, it is ok. Again, it's a personal choice and Julian and I will make the decision for what's best for Leah after careful thought and research and talking with Leah's doctor. Of course if anyone has actual research about the issue, I would be happy to read it. I just don't want people telling us what to do because it gets annoying. My parents did a great job of hearing me talk about it and said that they know we will do what's best for Leah. Of course if everyone doesn't vaccinate, then things could get bad in the US but we aren't considering NOT vaccinating...just delaying the schedule. There are books written about this and I have checked one out from Dr. Sears that has an alternative schedule that is supposed to be better for their little bodies.

Today my parents came from sacramento and had lunch with us. It was nice to see them, but Leah started crying everytime my dad looked at her. It was hilarious. I have no idea why she was so scared haha. My dad just cracked up. I think he scared her bc he laughed really loud when he saw how chubby she is getting and she got mad at him.

Leah is crying and needs to eat. Ok over and out.

sleep??

Well, Leah woke up every single hour last night....It might have been because I left during her bedtime to go to a yoga class or it could have been growth spurts, hungry, etc...who knows. I was tired this morning though!!

She just got her bath and now I am going to hold her for a bit. It's hard only seeing her for an hour a day. I got home at 6:00 bc I had a 3 hour dentist appt after work. Ugh. I can't wait to stay at home with her!!!

staying home...just for a day

Well, Friday sucked and the kids were awful. They didn't listen to me hardly at all and I left very frustrated....so I thought about it over the weekend and I decided to stay an extra day at home this week with Leah and just enjoy her. I spend too much time with other people's kids and not enough with my own, so I am going to start taking days off to be with her...I'll prob take 2 in March and a day in May and then a day whenever I need it for my own sanity. There are 97 school days left. The worst thing that can happen is they get mad that I am taking days and fire me. Then I get to stay home with Leah even more! :)

Tomorrow we are going to gymboree at 12:30 with a few girls from my mommy group. They go each Monday and I don't get to go so we are going. I am super excited :)

This weekend I actually did a few things for myself which felt nice. I got my eyebrows waxed on Saturday and then I went to a yoga class at Lululemon today. After that I got a few things

at sephora including nail polish and I painted my nails for the first time since Leah was born. Doesn't sound like a lot but it was nice.

Right now, Julian is playing with her with Sophie her giraffe and she is laughing a lot. She thinks it's just the funniest thing besides her Daddy.

I am off to grade some papers so I feel less guilty for staying home tomorrow :)

big day

Today Leah slept in her bed for naps and didn't need to be rocked to sleep! Let's just hope that she can continue it into the night. Julian keeps going in to check her and she's been ok for about 15 minutes already and hasn't cried so maybe she will go to sleep on her own. It might just be Julian's mom's touch though....let's see what happens :)

A girl from high school went into labor today and I got all excited just because I remember being there not so long ago. I even was a little jealous of her for some reason. Not a lot but just like awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. It was such a special time. I am happy that we are where we are now though because I love how much Leah trusts me now and her little personality and I love that it's easier to figure out what she needs, etc.

Tomorrow we have baby sign language class :) I swore I wasn't going to do it but then I just added it to a list of things I said I wouldn't do. I think it is going to be really good.

She is in the room babbling to her stuffed rabbit that Bri got her. She just loves that little one.

oops

Today I went to pump in the storage closet like usual....and it was time to go bc the bell rang so I packed up everything, secured the milk, put away the pump parts, etc. I headed out on my way to go get my kids. I forgot one thing...well, I mean two things (literally). I forgot to fix my shirt so there I walked out the office with my top not on right and my bra out completely. Luckily I was just in the office and my friend saw but geez, I can't believe that happened!

Could have been worse I suppose!

Leah rolled over from her tummy to her back the other day for the first time. She's been laughing too. I just love her.