Well, I haven’t posted in a couple of months. Mostly because I decided I’m not a very good writer anyway and it’s doubtful anyone even reads this. But in reality I’m writing this more for myself to look back on than for anyone else so I’ve decided to keep it up again, at least a little. So here is the news for the last couple of months.
Meredith has two teeth. The first one cut through on Father’s Day and the second one last week some time. Teething was a pretty horrible experience for her, poor girl. I am glad we cosleep, as she woke up a few times screaming in the middle of the night and I was glad to be right there for her and able to comfort her. We bought a teething necklace online which arrived shortly after the first tooth came in, and it seems to definitely help. Or maybe it’s coincidence, but the second tooth was much less dramatic than the first. She still had a few tough days/nights, but nothing like the first time.
With the first tooth came a sudden interest in solids. I’ve written before that we allow her to taste off our plates and she likes to sample small bits. Now she actually eats. Her poop’s even starting to change, though it’s still mostly breastfed baby poop. She loves meat, fruit, veggies… pretty much anything we offer her. We’re trying to mostly avoid dairy, but I found a brand of yogurt that’s non-homogenized and organic and it’s very tasty. I’ve read yogurt is normally okay, and she loves it, so in the mornings I will often give her about a tablespoon in a bowl and hand her a spoon. She has figured out how to eat with a spoon already, just by watching us. We’ve never spoon-fed her or tried to teach her to use it. With this increase in solids, she actually started breastfeeding more, instead of less, so there is no danger of her weaning anytime soon. I’d like to make it to at least two years. My husband’s family is prone to ear infections and my family has allergies and asthma, so anything I can do to give her a boost I will do. The last couple of days her eating has slowed down again, so I think she was going through a growth spurt. She’s back to mostly nursing. I love that we just trust her to know what she needs and when she needs it.
Also exciting is that she started taking steps. She actually took her first step at the end of June, but still mostly crawls. I think crawling is faster and easier for her. The chiropractor told me that crawling has been shown to be really good for baby’s development and babies who crawl for longer periods before walking seem to have less spinal and back problems later in life. I’d love to see studies or read more about that, but it seems to make some sense. Plus it means she’ll be more balanced. We have laminate floors so the less she falls over the better!
I really can’t believe that she is almost one. I honestly get teary sometimes about it. That probably sounds so sentimental, but I think it’s something I never really understood until becoming a parent. She is such a joy and I am so glad to have her in my life. And while I sometimes wish time could freeze, like right now she’s snuggled into me in the mei tei sleeping while I write, I also can’t wait to watch her grow and learn and witness all life has to offer for the first time, and then many times over after that.
In my news, I’m wondering if my period might finally be returning. I’m really enjoying not having one, so I hope not, but I’ve been craving chocolate for the last week or so, and definitely showing other signs of ovulation. I charted before we got pregnant, so I think I’m pretty good about knowing my body’s signs. Though I know that all goes out of whack after having a baby so it’s hard to know for sure.
I’ve also been gardening and decluttering quite a bit. I’ll post some of my progress in those regards in future updates. I think this one has been long enough!
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I remember that first birthday! I found myself reliving a lot of the feelings I’d had just a short year before. It was a very emotional time for me. Heck, I still get that way a bit on my daughter’s birthday and she’s five! While I’m enjoying my children growing and changing, it really does go by too quickly.
I’m glad it’s not just me. I was the only one at my wedding who didn’t shed a tear and I don’t cry during movies. So this sentimental business is all new to me. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed time passing as quickly as it has this last year.