I remember when Hailey was only a week old thinking about how I wish she’d stay this little forever, but I can honestly say that every month just keeps getting more and more fun. I’m really hoping this continues forever. or until she turns 14 and inevitably decides I’m no longer cool. Can we skip that part?
We don’t have another pediatrician appointment until 6 months, but I can tell she’s still growing just fine. She’s in size 2 diapers and mostly 6 month clothing. 3-6 month stuff is pretty snug.
She’s still sleeping wonderfully. We had one rough night where she was up every hour, but I totally blame myself and 2 two cups of coffee. Oops. But usually we bathe at 6:45, nurse her at 7:00 and she’s down between 7:15-7:30. She wakes up at 6:30 and nurses, then goes right back to bed for another 1.5 hours.
We still swaddle for night time, though I’ve found her like this once or twice in the morning.
Looks like the swaddle is on it’s way out. But not completely, yet. For naps I swaddle just her legs. I’ve tried no swaddle before and it turned into a 40 minute cry fest. Her legs are just so busy and she kicks so much that she is unable to go to sleep.
She is typically (always have to say typically, since things change day to day) napping 3 times. Around 9:45 she takes a 40 minute nap. Around 1:00 she naps for 1.5 hours and sometimes around 5:00, she’ll take a 30 minute cat nap.
She’s discovering more everyday. She babbles all the time and it will sometimes escalate into shrieks of joy. I think she is excited that she has found her voice. She is also using her mouth to experiment with various expressions. Her newest and favorite at the moment is the ‘squenched’ nose.
She still adores her feet and pulls her socks off so she can suck on her toes as often as possible.
Although I spend much of my day interacting with her, she is also pretty good at self play especially in the exersaucer. She loves using her feet to push herself around in the circle to play with the various toys.
She has also taken a stronger interest in Koda. I love watching them watch each other and envision a beautiful friendship to come.
Her motor skills are developing as well. She can take the pacifier out of her mouth and put it back in by herself. She loves to stand. Her hand always seems to be opening and closing and her little pinches can hurt. And her giggles. I love her little shrieking giggle, which she does quite often, especially if we tickle her ribs, bounce her on the bed or sneak up and scare her (sounds mean, but she loves the surprise!). Bath time is always good for some giggles, too.
I’ve begun to get emails about what she is eating. At this point, she is still exclusively breastfed. She eats 5(ish) times a day (6:30ish, 10:30ish, 2:30ish, 5:00ish and 7:00) *Always ‘ish’ because every day is slightly different and I don’t follow a strict schedule with her.
I am going to write a post with more details on the topic, but I plan to begin introducing solids around 6 months, so in the next few weeks. She is showing signs of interest (grabbing, air chewing, etc). I am highly considering taking the baby-led weaning approach and will write more about it at a later time.
I feel like I haven’t done much baby-related posting lately, but it’s because I haven’t had a whole lot to write about. Things are going smoothly and I love living everyday with my little family.
If you have any questions or any ideas for topics you’d like me to discuss, please just let me know!
blackhuff says
She have grown so much! So cute!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
This post made my heart melt! Hailey is SOOO cute! I love all of her expressions. 🙂 Keep the pictures coming!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
ahh that picture of her and koda is so cute! she’s adorable 🙂
Pam says
It does just keep getting better. My baby girl is 18 and it is so much fun seeing her turn into a beautiful adult! Love the picture of Hailey in her crib all twisted around! I love reading how much you love her.
Brittany says
They sure grow up fast, don’t they? I feel like I’m going to turn around and she’ll be driving. Ah!
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family says
We started rice cereal before 6 months (mostly for the iron because i dont give her those nasty vitamin drops, she throws them up) but we waited until 6 months to start other solids. I think we are technically doing a sort of baby led weaning only because she hates eating off a spoon. She prefers to eat pieces of food. Its easier for me anyway especially with having another child. We can all sit down and eat together and I don’t have to feed her with a spoon, she can just do it herself at the table with us.
Brittany says
Do you ever worry about her choking? That’s my only fear with BLW.
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family says
I did some googling since I was afraid of that too but they actually say that the younger you start with pieces of food vs purees, the less they choke. As a baby gets older, their gag relex lessens. So if they have solid food for the first time at 6 months they are less likely to choke than if they were 8 months for example. They said since eating pureed foods was more swallowing and not chewing that it didnt help come time they ate pieces of food. This is all from Pro BLW sites however. But I give her itty bitty pieces of ripe pear, peach, banana, avocado, sweet potato, peas (without the little skin because they split in half and mush easy that way), and puffed rice. It gives her something to do while we are eating as well. Not much goes down right now (i lean over and put pieces in too) but she’s doing better than I thought she would feeding herself so young!
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family says
and trust me, I am the most overly paranoid mom ever, especially when it comes to choking! My friends and husband all make fun of me for it. I just started letting my 3 1/2 year old eat raw carrots recently and I stopped peeling her grapes and cutting them in half after she turned 2. I just don’t think its a place to take chances!
Elena says
I stumbled upon your blog when I first found out I was pregnant and I’ve been reading it ever since although this is my first comment. I had to comment because your little girl is just the most precious thing ever! I just love her expressions! 🙂 You have a beautiful family.
Lauren B. says
Hailey is so adorable! I can tell that she is a huge blessing to you and Hubbs! Thanks for the great update!
Jenny @ simply be me says
Super cute! Baby led weaning is great just be prepared for it to be messy 🙂
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
oh my word, that scrunched nose expression is absolutely to die for.
maria @ a life to bragg about says
Omg I love that face she’s making!I can’t believe it’s been 5 months already, I remember reading about you having her!
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine says
Can you even believe 5 months has gone by already…I know I can’t! I looked at my lil’ one this morning and thought I can’t believe how fast the time is going, but I love how interactive she is getting. If only we could get her to stop waking up at 4 lately to want to nurse, she was making it until 5 or 6, but we have seemed to regress a little bit. Ahh well…I too am very interested in the whole baby led weaning process, I can especially tell lately how interested she is in food and drinks, she keeps trying to grab our cups and hold on, it’s so cute :)!
Brianna says
Hailey is so expressive! Adorable.
Bethany @ One Girl's Taste On Life says
She is so cute! What kind of blanket is that you are using to swaddle? Do you like it? Have you tried other swaddling things (ex: the woombie)? Thanks!
Brittany says
I use Summer Infant Swaddle Me as her outside wrap. I swaddle her first in a blanket, then in the wrap, but to be honest, it barely hold her anymore.
Though they’ve worked really well for us, I don’t claim that the Summer wraps are the best. They are just what we were given. I’ve never tried any of the other swaddle options, and hopefully won’t need any of them soon!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Love the monthly updates! She is so adorable! That’s hilarious you guys sneak up and scare her.
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
So adorable. Enjoy her!:)
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I heard the baby laugh/shrieks in my head – that’s one of the best sounds in the world!!!
Danielle says
I highly recommend the Annabel Karmel cookbooks for baby food. Starting Solids was, and still is a staple in our house for all things baby food!
Kath says
<3
Katie says
I selfishly hope you take the baby led weaning approach because that is what I want to do with my daughter. I’d love to see how it goes. My daughter just turned four months so we are right behind you and since I love your blog I’d love to see how it works out! Good luck! Hailey is precious!!
JenRD says
So cute! Aren’t those laughs the best? Sometimes Maya (5 mos 1 week) just cracks herself up out of nowhere–she will be sitting on my lap, eating away, then will take a break to have a conversation of babble talk with me. Then she will just start laughing, like she said the funniest thing in the world!
We are also fighting the swaddle vs. no-swaddle, and somebody told me about the Baby Merlin Magic Sleeper, which is supposed to be a great transition (albeit an expensive one): http://magicsleepsuit.com/about.html
Ours is on its way, so I can not testify to its success yet, but fingers crossed!
Brittany says
Thanks so much for the suggestion- I’ll have to check them out!
And oh yes, those laughs and babbles are the most amazing sounds in the world 🙂
JenRD says
No problem! And if you “like” them on Facebook your get a 20% off coupon.
Julia says
What a beautiful little family you have! I love the picture of them on the couch 🙂
Roz@weightingfor50 says
HI Brittany, just catching up on some previous posts. OMG…Hailey is just getting cuter by the day. This may sound odd, but in these pictures, the thing that jumped out at me is that she has the most stunning EYELASHES!!! They’re so dark and long for such a wee one. And LOVE the photos of her and Koda. (especially the last one “why is SHE here with Daddy too???”) She is truly a gorgeous little girl , you must be so proud to be her mom!!! Have a great weekend.
Brittany says
Roz, you always leave the most thoughtful and kind comments and they really make my day! Thanks so much for your sweet words about Hailey and I agree about her eyelashes! I’m so glad she got her daddy’s lashes because mine most definitely are not that long and thick. What a lucky little lady 😉
Have a fabulous weekend!
laura says
Hi Brittany – I’ve been following your blog since before Hailey was born, as my daughter, Camille, is 12 weeks old, and I loved seeing what I might be able to expect. I was wondering when you made the shift from 6 feedings to 5, and how you knew Hailey was ready to stretch out her feedings. Have you adjusted that for growth spurts, too? Thanks!
Brittany says
Hi Laura- congrats on your sweet daughter! I tend to follow Hailey’s lead. She usually eats 5 times a day, but sometimes she still eats 6 times. She went down to 5 feedings about 3 weeks ago. I was trying to feed her every 3 hours and she didn’t show much interest, so I started stretching it out to 3.5-4 hours and then she was ready to eat again. If she shows signs of hunger (fussing, reaching for me), then I feed her sooner. I was a little worried at first, but nothing else has changed (still sleeping well and growing), so I just assume she’s become more efficient when she eats. Hope this helps somewhat!
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