Dear Leighton (Month 8-ish)

Your favorites - Sweet potatoes and bananas!

Always able to find your way into the bathroom when we are getting ready in the morning.

For some reason, you actually enjoy being placed into the lego wagon and pulled around by your siblings.  It's can't be comfortable, right?

Caught you standing up!  One of the first times you pulled up and just like your siblings, was using the stage (though it no longer makes noise or lights up).

"Helping" mommy in the office.  So helpful...Not

Yep, you found me working in my office again.  I just can't hide from you any more.

Out on a walk.  This was the week your big sisters and brother were at Grandma's house so we were actually able to take a quick walk, just the 3 of us.

What happens with mommy and daddy lose all the pacifiers...you have to use the moustache one your older brother had long ago.

Always on the go now that you can crawl!

You've got blue eyes like daddy, and maybe some other features too.

Lesley said she would put you down for a nap.  I thought she was joking but I let her hold you for a bit...and low and behold, she rocked you to sleep.  Super sweet!  And, probably won't ever happen again.

July 31, 2016

Dear Leighton,

Oh dear, I'm a bit behind this month….so much going on with the family!  Good stuff for the most part, but just busy.  So, this will be a short update….

You started crawling like a champion this month!  Finally, you can get to where you want to be without rolling.  And, you can even get yourself into trouble by hitting things and bonking your head.  Bruises are starting to appear!  Pulling yourself up is also going on now.  Crazy how quickly you have picked up these fun tasks.

You still love your siblings though that look of fear in your eyes when your sisters carry you around, I'm sorry about that.  I try so hard to make them leave you alone but they just seriously love you to death.  And, I secretly love when you are propped up on Leah's hip or she is offering to change your diaper.  She will be the best mommy someday and you can always take pride in knowing that you helped "train" her.

Levi is a turd sometimes and we have to tell him "don't sit on Leighton" or "stop hitting your sister".  But, he probably gets the best laughs out of you and for that I guess we will keep him.

Teeth!  2 big shiny teeth are now protruding from your lower gums.  Pretty awesome and thankful they finally popped through.  They were trouble!  And, now your tongue just hangs out all the time.  I think you like to check on the growth of the teeth so are constantly rubbing them with your tongue.  It makes us all laugh….and it continues to let drool run out of your mouth like it's your business.  Perhaps more teeth?

The teeth have sort of thrown a wrench into your sleeping so that's not so awesome for Mommy.  Lack of sleep is real these days.  I'm sure I'll get a lecture about letting you cry from the pediatrician at your next check up…unless you start sleeping and I don't have to mention it to him then.  Please.

We don’t hesitate to give you any food that is the right consistency and texture.  With only those 2 little teeth, we don't want you to choke but we are anxious to get you eating more real food as it seems to be a favorite for you.  We struggle to even feed you applesauce because you want to feed yourself and not eat off of a spoon.  Lots of sweet potatoes and green beans these days!

You seem to be a decent napper as long as you are in your pack n play.  Napping in the carseat doesn't happen as often and you won't let me just hold you to nap anymore either.  The pacifier helps but not a complete solution when you are tired.

Size 3 diapers but still wearing mostly 6 month clothing.  You aren't a peanut or anything, but for some reason you still fit into those clothes.

This stage is just one of my all time favorites.  I hope the next few months go slowly so I can just soak in this last time for being a mama of a 7-12 month old.  Bittersweet for sure!

Love,

Mommy

Dear Leighton {Month 7}

Sitting up like a pro now!

 

 Getting into trouble!  With her tongue sticking out....she already has gotten a few bruises on her face from landing on the coffee table.

 

I. Will. Figure. Out. How. To. Crawl.

Practice...

Some Yoga....

And, I'm spent.....

A little bit of pouty face never hurt anyone.

Morning snuggles with Daddy.

June 18, 2016

Dear Leighton,

What a super fun and exciting month we have had with you!  It's hard to even say what my favorite part might be.  Perhaps when you stick your tongue out, or when you try to crawl around, or maybe when you are successful at sitting on your own.  Actually, no I think it is when you show a strong preference for your mama!!!!  I cannot get enough hugs and kisses from you.  This is a moment in your life I really would love to just freeze.  These moments are fleeting all too quickly!  L

Still sleeping good, usually up once a night to eat but generally it's in the 4:30-5:30am time frame so that's not terrible.  I have told your daddy that this feeding request is his fault because it is ALWAYS either just before his alarm goes off for the gym or just after he walks out of the bedroom on his way to exercise.  Honestly though I don't mind too terribly much.  You no longer will snuggle with me and snooze till morning, but instead I have to put you back in your bed or you'll just toss and turn next to me.  I am getting anxious to get you moved out of my bedroom.  I'm feeling like Daddy and I need our own space back.  Do you think you can handle sleeping in the same room as your brother?!  Soon.

You are heavy, but it still seems you are small.  As a matter of fact, my favorite pair of jammies for you right now is a size 3-6 month zipper set.  It'll have to be packed away soon, but for now I'm going to make you wear it every day.  Just kidding.  In the last week we have moved you up to size 3 diapers, though we might squeeze a few more size 2's out of you since there's no more babies coming along in our house to save them for.  Perhaps a cousin down the road….

You're finally sitting up on your own.  It is fantastic.  We used the boppy for a bit but now you are pretty good at keeping your balance without it.  And, you really don't seem to mind falling flat on your face.  J  We just have to keep plenty of toys within reach.

The tongue is out of control.  You are constantly sticking it out at us and it seems like you are searching for a tooth or something.  Some days we notice it more than others so I really do wonder if there is a tooth trying to appear.  We shall see.  No shiny white things yet.

Just at the very end of the month you are starting to kind of crawl.  It is slow and it is not effective, but it definitely is arm forward than knee forward (or up and down).  No question though that you believe the best method to get where you want to go is by spinning and rolling.  And, you have lots of places to go.  We find you stuck up next to the fireplace, eating books in the corner, even getting up under the coffee table…things are changing quickly.

Eating is going very slow.  At this point, you mostly get applesauce though we have ventured into avocado, sweet potatoes, bananas, and peas.  You also "like" puffs, i.e. these will keep you pretty busy for 15-20 minutes while mommy gets dinner together or food on everyone else's plates.  We need to keep giving you more options and more quantity, it is just so difficult with the chaos of dinner and keeping all the "bigs" happy and fed.

You like being outside and watching your siblings.  Not sure how you really feel when the girls hold you and carry you around.  It seems you get nervous and anxious (I would too!). And, you immediately let out a sigh of relief and relax once Mommy or Daddy get you in our arms.  Levi can really make you laugh and he LOVES that so much.  There are generally a lot of smiles when you see your sisters or brother.

This has been such a wonderful month!  I have truly loved all of it and I hope month 8 is just as fantastic!

Love,

Mommy

Dear Leighton {6 months}

 

May 18, 2016

Dear Leighton,

The half way mark!  You've reached 6 months and it's just so hard to accept.  Cue sadness.  I can't even begin to tell you how thankful and blessed we are to have you part of our family.  Really, we could not have asked for a sweeter, more content peanut to join our family.  I am seriously trying to soak up every single minute I have with you, because all too soon, the baby days will not be part of our family.  Every "first" you experience is the "last first" I get as a mama.  In so many ways I want you to stay little forever.

And, you have stayed pretty little – still wearing some 3-6 month clothes and just now packing away the 3 month wardrobe and moving into a lot of 6 month selections.  In a Size 2 diaper but still in the little pink booties for your feet.  (By the way, perhaps the BEST $5 purchase for you.)  At your 6 month doctor visit, you weighed in at 15 pounds, 15 ounces (46^th percentile) and 26 inches long (54^th percentile).  Head circumference was 16.5 inches (40^th percentile) – definitely our little girl!  Your sisters and brother were ahead of the curve at all times.

You have lost your Mohawk recently and your hair on top is so soft and wispy.  I put headbands in whenever I can, but not when you go to daycare as I’m sure that would be a nuisance for Debbie.  I don't force you to be too girl-y, but I for sure want to relish in this time when you allow me and do not yet have an opinion (your sisters have long since passed this stage!).

You are a rolling machine!  I am pretty confident that your siblings were not nearly as ambitious with the rolling.  And, I'm quite certain you truly are on a mission when you start rolling.  It's like you spot something from across the room and you just tuck and roll, and tuck and roll until you get there.  Plus, the pivoting while rolling is impression.  I will say that you still manage to get stuck next to the couch, fireplace, or coffee table….but it's pretty unbelievable how quickly you roll from place to place.  And, you now sleep on your belly which was a bit of an adjustment, but now the only way you like to snooze.

And the pacifier.  Weird.  I offered it one day and you took it like you always have liked it.  So strange because you fought and fought it from months 1-5.  Now we sometimes offer it when we need you to be quiet, i.e. church, or just as something to keep you occupied.  It doesn't stay in your mouth for long, but you still like to hold it and suck on the wrong side of it.

A new trick is pushing up.  I don't think you are quite ready to crawl, but you can get up on all fours when you are really motivated, or mad and want some attention.  Being on all fours makes you squeal and scream because you are generally wanting picked up.

I would say your favorite toy is your little set of plastic keys.  These stay in the carseat with you and almost always calm you down if you are getting fussy in the carseat.  It seems you chew on them constantly.  Teeth are right around the corner.  By this point, all your siblings had a tooth or two, but you are being sweet to your mama and giving her a little more time before you hit that milestone.

In the last month you've been fighting some congestion and snot.  It didn't start out bad, but the normal breastmilk drops in your nose weren't working like they usually do.  Then, we could tell you were feeling crummy along with the cough and congestion.  Poor baby!  After a few days of feeling crappy, you are much better but still have the crud in your sinuses.  Hopefully you can kick it soon!

Still nursing like a champ in the evenings, and several times at night.  The bottles at Debbie's are so random.  Some days you drink 4 bottles before 1pm and Debbie has to thaw a FIFTH bottle.  That's just plain crazy.  But, if we try to increase the size of your bottles more than 4 ounces, you will refuse to finish them.  I am so thankful Debbie just goes with it and doesn’t get worked up when you are being a stinker.  I send all the milk I can pump each day and thaw a bit here and there from the freezer stash.

We are going to start some foods soon.  Sigh.  Another step in our already hectic evening, but you are more than ready.  You eye my food and you reach for anything that resembles something to be put in your mouth.  And your tongue!  Right now you enjoy sticking it out and spitting.  We all think it's funny….for now.  I'm sure that will change once we try to feed you with utensils.

You nap on the go when you are with us but generally take one long-ish nap in the early afternoon.  At Debbie's, it seems you go straight from the carseat to your morning nap, but no later than 9am for no more than an hour nap.  She's getting you on the same schedule as the boys so you take a longer nap in the afternoon at her house.

Debbie has been a great provider for you and you love her lots and lots.  It sounds like some days you are only happy if she is holding you.  Even if another mom or visitor look at you, you'll get upset until Debbie picks you up.  I think it's exhausting for her, but I sort of like it, knowing you have a connection with her.  She even says that some days she feels like a secret agent in her own house.  You'll be playing quietly on the floor or in the exersaucer, but as soon as you spot her, you cry and insist she "rescue" you….so she peek arounds corner to make sure you aren't looking when she has to move from one area to the next.  No sudden movements and definitely NO eye contact if she is not wanting to hold you immediately.  Ha, as long as you don't see her, you remain content.  Silly girl!

I am trying to get a better bedtime going for you because it gets tricky with bedtime for all 4 of you at the same time.  So far, not a lot of luck and it seems you like to stay awake until everyone else is asleep so you get some quiet time with Mommy and Daddy.  You sleep in the pack n play next to mommy for about half the night, then you join us in bed for a snack and to snooze the rest of the night.  It's really for Mommy's convenience because I'd rather snuggle than get out of bed and put you back in the pack n play….though recently I think you are using the "overnight buffet" option a little too frequently so I may have to give in and transport you back to your bed after any night feedings.  I'd also actually really love to move you to the crib.  You are a pretty light sleeper and it's harder and harder to be in the room unless the lights are completely off and we are silent.  No more watching TV before Mommy and Daddy sleep.  Your brother slept in our bedroom for over a year and he must have just slept like a rock compared to you.

You smile a lot.  You giggle easily.  You love your brother and sisters.  And, you LOVE your mommy.  I keep trying to picture you as a 1 year old, or 2 year old and I'm finding it impossible because I just want you to stay this age.

Love,

Mommy

Usually loves the doorway jumper, but often protests too.

 

Teething perhaps!?  We had gone on some errands and she was so kind to remain patient and hang out in her carseat...and suck on her blanket.

 

She LOVED her cousin Jameson's walker when we visited and hung out on their front, shaded deck.

 

We are very, very blessed that she is almost always content in her car seat.  Sometimes if she is getting fussy or I'm trying to round up the rest of the troops, I'll just sit her in it and hand her the pink bear and toy keys and she will be so happy and patient.  God bless this sweet 4th child in our crazy, chaotic house!

 

She's been teething (though none have popped just yet) and she has also been congested and not feeling 100%.  I still managed to get a smile before I dropper her off at daycare.  I really hated to have her go particularly on this day since it was likely her worst day....but we don't have the luxery of staying home for every sniffle.  After a few weeks and she couldn't kick the cold, I took her to the doctor who confirmed her ears were perfect and her chest was clear.  Then, a day after the doctor's visit, she made huge improvements and at her 6 month check up, she was just a smidge away from perfect.  The pediatrician reminded me it often takes babies twice the amount of time it would take an average adult to get over the common cold.

 

See that smile under her pacifier!?  She will now use it, but not for long and only in desperate times.

Our happy Royals fan playing with her pink bear and then her pacifier again.

 

One morning I looked over after I heard some noises from the pack n play and this is what I spotted.

 

It took some practice and some time but she has finally mastered sleeping on her stomach since she refuses to stay on her back when laid in the pack n play.

 

If only she could sit up by herself!  You can see how happy this toy makes her, but it really pisses her off when she falls over and lands on her face.  We are practicing sitting up whenever we can, but it's a slow process for her.

Dear Leighton {Five months}

April 18, 2016

Dear Leighton,

Growing, growing, growing….I think this month you are moving out of the true infant stage.  No longer do you just sleep whenever and wherever.  Your little legs are no longer our sweet chicken legs.  And, your personality is growing each and every day.  We are loving this stage and though I am especially sad to have you growing, we are excited to have you more part of our life versus our little tag along.

Your sleeping is still pretty good.  No big complaints.  You always start in your pack n play next to our bed, but once you wake to eat (anywhere between 2-5 a.m.) mama just keeps you in bed next to her.  Some nights that doesn't work so well and you want to rock in the chair to sleep or you just want to nurse the rest of the night, but generally we are doing well in the sleep department.  No more swaddling while you sleep since you are now rolling over.  Boo.  You were so good at sleeping while swaddling too.  And, it's not quite as easy to expect that you'll nap in the carseat or stay asleep when your sometimes loud siblings are around, but at the same time, you are getting more consistent with naps and bedtime so can plan a bit better and know you won't just sleep all the time.

We have had to move you up in diaper size because you were having a lot of blow outs in the size 1's.  We knew it was coming but were hoping to get all the 1's used up first.  Well, we gave up, bought 2's and will be donating the 1's to a new second cousin arriving shortly.  I've also packed away all the 3 month clothes and moved to 3-6 month and even 6 month clothes.  So, you seem to have a whole new (though mostly used) wardrobe these days.  That's been fun to have you wear more of  your sister's clothes…especially now that I think you are looking more and more like your siblings each day.  The chunky thighs too!  But, overall we still think of you as our little peanut since although you are growing a lot, you're still petite to us when compared to your siblings at this age.

I think I've created a bit of a high maintenance little gal.  Oops, didn't mean to but I'm really not that sorry.  I just love to hold you and squeeze you, and now you sort of think you need to be held and always looked after.  It's okay, it won't last forever and for now I will just soak up all your little protests when I try to put you down and I will just keep on holding you tight whenever you request.  Sorry Ms. Debbie and anyone else who watches you, but I'm not changing anything at this point.

That being said, you are really enjoying your exersaucer and being able to play in it.  Pretty much grown out of the bouncy seat!  You are noticing more and more toys and really, really enjoy having something to look at and hold.  Rolling is your new thing and you by far are the best roller we have ever had.  Were your siblings lazy perhaps?  And, not only do you just roll, it already seems like you are rolling to get somewhere to reach something specific.  You just get going and going and don't stop until you hit something, i.e. a table leg or the fireplace.

Mama had to work in Kansas for a week this month and you were lucky enough to travel with her.  You spent an afternoon with our friends Kate, Matt, Evan and Kyle, a day with cousin Luke, "Aunt" Kim, and Matt, and then 3 entire days just you and Grandma Nancy.  I think it was pretty awesome you had that time alone with her.  When we are with her, your siblings and cousins dominate her time but this was a chance for you and her to just chill.

Your relationships with your sisters and brother keeps getting better and better.  Lesley is also close to you, wanting to touch and hold her.  She likes reading to you, and talking to you in a high pitched voice.  She loves you so much and just wants to be around you, though it's still pretty easy to distract her away from you when we want her to just leave you alone.  Leah is like your second mommy.  She carries you around, she likes to get you dressed, she changes your diapers (!!!!), and she protects you from your ornery brother.  Levi also loves you and he will get protective of you, but at the same time he sometimes just want you to go away or want his mama's lap all to himself.  He really does love to make you laugh and tries to be helpful.

We are so thankful to have you in our family!  You are seriously the perfect fit and we can't imagine life without you.

Love you baby!
Mommy

We are still going to see Dr. Brott to get adjusted every few weeks.

Usually you do really well but you also often need a "snack" while we are there.  It's all about timing!

Our Easter Sunday best! 

This is probably one of the last times you were in the seat without being completely strapped in.  Too wiggly and trying so hard to get out!

Rolling over to play with toys....the blanket is necessary because you spit up almost EVERY TIME you roll and hang out on your tummy.

 

A fancy outfit from Grandma Nancy...with a crooked little grin. 

 

"I will eat this cow.  I just need to get my hands to work correctly to get it into my mouth."

Going for a walk, all bundled up because it's Minnesota and the weather is a bit crazy.  Warm, then cold, then rainy, then warm, then cold and snowy.  That's how we roll here.

A rare moment when she took a nap in my arms...while we were waiting for the Notre Dame basketball game to start!  Go Irish!

I told you she was filling in...that double chin!

A blow out!

I think this was the last round for this onsie and it ended up in the trash after 3 or 4 washes with stains still lasting.

Look at his smile, it's pretty obvious that he really does love her, right?