Week 13, July 21 - 27

Wednesday, July 21st
I can't believe that 4 weeks have passed since I wrote last. I'm sorry I haven't been better about writing. It's just hard to find time. I'm not sure how I'm managing today even. I think Ella's 3-month growth spurt has started. We finally had her move to her crib and she was treating us to 4-hour stretches right off the bat, but then last night she woke up 3 times in the first 4 hours. She's not napped too well today (not her usual 2-hour naps) and she's touch grouchier than usual. So that's what we're going through right now.

She's pretty smily though when she's not grouchy and makes all kinds of fun baby noises. Even tries to laugh. One of the next big developmental milestones should be the discovery of her hands. She's been sucking on them a lot more often lately, but I've only seen her look at her hands once. It'll be fun to watch when she finally figures them out. Then she'll start grabbing things... on purpose. She's been grabbing my hair since day one. I have thus far resisted getting a "mommy" hair cut. ;)



Friday, July 23rd
It was 94 degrees today. Projected forecast for tomorrow is more of the same. Keeping Ella happy today was quite a challenge. With her needing to be swaddled in order to sleep well it was hard to get her to nap well. I experimented with letting her sleep in her swing unswaddled, which resulted in a 1/2 hour nap. This morning she slept in her crib for an hour. Then this evening, swaddled, in her swing, she's been sleeping for about 2 hours I'd say. I dragged out the porta-crib for her to sleep in tonight since her nursery is just so warm. It'll be cooler in the living room for her. I hope she sleeps all right in there. She may sleep in the swing again since it seems to be working so well.

I bought a scale yesterday so that we could find out how much she weighs any time we want. She now weighs 11 1/4 pounds. That's a weight gain of a pound and a 1/4 in 3 1/2 weeks. From 3 months on she should gain about 2 pounds a month, or an ounce a day. Since she's small to begin with and she's strictly on breastmilk because formula doesn't agree with her I do worry about her eating enough. I'm even starting to drink this home-made tea (cumin, dill, fennel) that's supposed to increase production to make sure I have more than enough. The tea does not taste so good... not necessarily bad, but certainly not what you'd expect, or want, out of tea.

Ella has hit the 3-month growth spurt for sure. Which means she's eating like a horse (one of the reasons I'm trying to increase production - despite her frequent meals should do that alone). A pediatrician told some one I know that this is the biggest growth spurt of a baby's life. Another of the reasons I bought the scale. I did notice that her onesies are getting to be a bit short... the buttons are having a hard time reaching. But her shoes and hats are still huge on her!! Long and lean baby, I guess.

I can't wait for Monday... the tempterature should be 73 degrees. It now feels cooler outside than it does in the house. :(

Tuesday is Isaac and I's 2nd wedding anniversary. We'll be going to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant. We've been there a few times before. It's a good dining experience... lasts at least 2 hours. Ella will be left alone with baby sitters for the first time... her Uncle Henry and future aunt, Mandy. They'll have fun with growth-spurt Ella. ;)