Week 6, June 1 - 8

Monday, June 7th
I'm sorry this is just now getting done. The hold up was the pictures. I know that's what every one is really interested in, and since there are so many of them it's just taken me awhile to format them and get them on here. I hope to be more regular about updating the now that it's all set up again. Ella usually let's me have at least 10 minutes of free time in a day. :)

So I'll update you on her progress in the last 5 weeks. First I should say that each week is just a little bit different. She's nowhere near having a schedule, so don't even think about asking me if she's sleeping through the night yet. The answer is no, not even close. Usually I'm up 3 times a night (between 11pm and 7:30-ish am). Last night though was one of those nights where she was only sleeping for an hour at a time. Babies are supposed to go through a feeding frenzy at about 6 weeks, so maybe that's what's going on here. Not sure. As I type this she is napping (restlessly) in her crib.


see (I know, not the greatest pic, but still, it's real time!)!!

Right now she is still sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom most of the time. Right now I'm struggling to get her to sleep flat on her back, rather than propped up in a pillow, which she's done for some time first because she got the sniffles and the doc said to prop her up so her nose would drain properly, and secondly because she had an hour-long spell of throwing up a few days back so I wanted her propped up so she wouldn't choke. But she loves to be propped up in that comfy pillow. She's napping good now (see above picture)... after probably 30 minutes of trying to get her to suck on a pacifier... which she doesn't like so much.

She doesn't like her swing either. Go figure!!

She's really starting to smile now. Sometimes spontaneously, sometimes in response to us. It's pretty cool... she's got a really big toothless grin. And sometimes it's sort of an Elvis snarl. And she's starting to make noises other than crying... the baby cooing. Actually, she's been making all kinds of noises and faces in her sleep, but she's just now figuring out how to do it on purpose. When she's awake she's very alert, and very curious. The coolest was when she really started studying our faces. Brand new babies don't have that ability.

I'm still looking forward to when she gains neck control. I don't know how she doesn't hurt herself some times. We'll be burping her up on our shoulders and she'll pull her head back, but then it'll come crashing back down. She doesn't cry though.

Okay... I've rambled long enough. Each week I get an email detailing the possible developemental things to look forward to. Here is the link to the info for 6 week olds.

Tuesday, June 8th
Happy 6 weeks old to Ella! The princess sleeps. Still working on getting her to sleep flat on her back. We've had to stick the pacifier in her mouth a couple of times but I think she may be down for awhile. Yea! I remember one time when I was at the hospital and all she was doing was sleeping. I made the comment that I wanted her to be awake more, and a nurse that was nearby overheard me and said "this is your first, isn't it?". haha. Funny how things change. Yesterday she hardly slept at all during the day. At least her first night time stretch was 3 hours long.

This morning after eating Ella didn't seem in any hurry to nap and I didn't know what to do with her (I've spent so many hours just doing my best to entertain her), so we went for a walk. The first walk I've gone on in a long time. I tried once when I was pregnant but it was too hard.

Here's a picture her grandpa Bill took this last Saturday.

Such a good picture. Isn't she cute?