Five Months of Eloise
My little Rugrat,
I have so many things I want to say to you, about you, and for you, but I can't quite vocalize them, so instead, I'm going to leave you with the reading of this precious book. It says everything that I do when I pray for you, and it's rare I can get through it without crying. We love you so big!
Growth:
At your allergy appointment, you were 16.5 pounds and 24 inches long. You’re officially out of 3 month clothes, wearing 3-6 month. They are still a little big on you because you are round and short but it works for now.
For bottles, you drink 4-5 ounces each time. And you’ve started holding your bottle by yourself! You won’t do it every time but when you do, it’s so helpful!
You can officially roll from your back to belly! According to the internet, most babies do belly to back first but you carved your own path and switched it up. We do looots of tummy time now because you roll yourself over every chance you get. I’m hoping with a little more practice, you can learn to roll the other way too soon.
Sleep:
While you’re still not sleeping through the night again, you are just waking up once which is great. You are in a nice routine and are down each night between 7:00-7:30. Dad dream feeds you right before he goes to sleep, and that’s been getting you to 3:30 or so every night.
When we lay you down, you instantly roll to your belly and tuck your hands and legs under you with your booty in the air. It’s adorable. Somehow, you also flip from belly to back every night. I’ve yet to catch it on the monitor but I’m pretty sure you’re using the crib slats as a kick off point and rolling over. We’re practicing rolling so much in hopes it will help you sleep.
At least once a day, I get to rock you for a nap, usually when Sully is sleeping. It is one of my favorite parts of the day. We snuggle; you snore; I pray for you. While I wish naps were as easy as laying you down, I am soaking up the snuggles that I get, especially because you are already so big in my lap!
Eating: As of today, I’ve pumped ____ounces. In one month, I’ll start weaning myself, as my freezer stash is significant. I have lots of feelings on that which I’ll explain later.
Allergies: Sully’s allergist in Birmingham recommended we bring you in at 4 months to test and begin allergy introduction. You and I made a solo trip there, and I was so proud of us. Since the appointment, at the suggestion of the doctor, you have one bottle a day with the following: 10mL of cow’s milk formula, a half teaspoon of egg white powder, and a half teaspoon of peanut butter powder. We call it your milkshake. Doing do will hopefully prevent your body from turning against these foods. I know it’s a case of “you don’t know what you don’t know” but with your brother, I omitted all allergens from my diet which really hurt him in the long run. With you, we will introduce the other allergens almost immediately once you start food. It’s scary to review anaphylaxis symptoms, especially for an infant but early exposure is key. Thankfully, your dad snd I have rules and systems for helping.
Favorite Memories:
-Matching: I love matching with you! Mom always has a sweatshirt nearby as I’m always cold, so I decided to add an embroidery to each one of ours. It’s so fun to make and to match!
-Mike and Sully: When I was pregnant with you, I bought a Mike from monsters inc costume at a consignment sale. Even though you are obviously a girl, I had to since we have a Sully. Your brother got the biggest kick out of it and when you guys were on the floor for a picture, you just laughed back and forth in your own little language. My heart could have burst.
Allergy: I was so proud of us traveling to your allergy appointment in Birmingham. I don’t love driving and you don’t always love riding but we made it. We left at 5:30 am for an 8:30 time, and I’m glad we had Marvin built in because it took the whole 3 hours. We made it, finally found parking, and rolled in right at the time of your appointment. All went well: you tested negative to peanut; we got new medicine for your eczema; and we have strategies for introducing food to you now. The doctors and nurses loved you and were beyond kind and thorough. We were there over 2 hours talking and testing and helping. Afterwards, you and I ate at Chuy’s which is a big deal for me because I don’t enjoy dining alone at a restaurant; but I was hungry and wanting to be out of the car and it was a great experience. We shopped a little at the Summit and then headed home. Oh, boy. It took us 3.5 hours to get home because you kept screaming. I stopped twice to try to feed you but you just wanted to be out of the car. Finally, we stopped at a grocery store and walked around for 20 minutes to get you nice and tired. Thankfully that worked and you slept for the last hour. Since then, you’ve tolerated all of the allergens we’ve introduced and I’m just so thankful.
Forest Friends, Full Lap, Play Dates
My little girl, may you be as bold as Tommy, as verbal about your needs as Angelica, as discerning as Chuckie. You are the best of all the Rugrats rolled into one, and we love you!
Love,
Mom
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