Stella 4 Months

I can't believe my baby is 4 months old already! Time is going by so fast. It feels like L & C were just babies, and now they're potty trained big girls and we have another baby. It's crazy how life works sometimes.

A little over three years ago all I wanted in the world was a baby. I was so desperate for a sweet little baby. Flash forward three years and there are days when I think I have TOO MANY kids! Life can change quickly, that's for sure.

Stella- You are the happiest, most smiley little baby. This past month we saw a GI Dr and returned to the ENT. The GI wanted to increase your Zantac a little and the change is amazing. You are just SO happy! Unfortunately the ENT found there's still fluid in your ears but wanted to wait another 2-3 months before placing tubes. I wish they would put them in sooner, but I'm trying to trust it's the best and safest decision for you. So, for now we wait. I've noticed you've started to localize sounds and definitely respond to my voice so I know you're hearing some. You love music and when I sing to you. We do Music Together classes once a week and you are just so alert and happy during class. I think you like it more than your sisters. You'd never think of sleeping through music class. You are very alert and aware of everything. You're always watching your sisters closely and love when they talk to you or bring you toys. You've found your feet and love eating them. You've rolled from your belly to back twice and you're getting so good at tummy time. You only complain when you're tired. You're still waking once a night to eat but go right back to sleep. You sleep in the Dock a Tot in our bed most nights and love napping with your mama while your sisters nap. You're really practicing with your voice and will raise the pitch up and down. Sometimes it even sounds like you're singing along with me. You're so alert and smiley whenever we go out. Just like sleeping through music class, you rarely sleep through our outings. You just love to be a part of everything. You're still drooling like crazy and we mentioned it to the pediatrician. We might see a speech pathologist to see if we can address it. Your mouth is open a lot of the time with your tongue out as well. You soak through bibs and your clothing multiple times a day. You still click while nursing but the ENT thought it could be you trying to relieve the pressure in your ears. I'll be curious to see if it goes away once the fluid is gone. You really are such a sweet and happy going baby. I feel so lucky to be your mama! 

Your first nap in your crib. 

You love looking at yourself in the mirror. 

Whose Baby?

As I said in my last post, Lucy hasn't been feeling well this week. As a result, we've seen a lot of testing boundaries and not listening. The other night she was hovering over Stella's face and not listening about giving Stella some space. I gave her a warning and started to count. I told her if she didn't give Stella space she was headed to time out. After all, we don't want Stella to get sick too. 

Well, she didn't listen or back up so headed right to time out. As she was sitting there, she cried out "My baby too!" I guess Lucy thought I should do a better job sharing Stella. I love how much she loves her baby. 

Mama's Milk

I've been pumping every morning for the past few months to have a little frozen stash. I know I really won't need that milk, but it's nice to know I have it and can rely on it. It also means I rarely have to pump if I miss a feeding here or there. L&C see me pump and help bring me the pieces in the morning. We often talk about "mama's milk". Most nights with dinner the girls get milk to drink. We often offer them the choice of mama's milk or cow's milk. Although Lucy has tried my milk a few times, she never seemed to like it. Clara, on the other hand, loves it. 

Most days I'll only let Clara drink a few ounces since I only pump about 5-7 ounces after feeding Stella in the morning. I want to freeze some of it after all. 

Last week W brought home a low grade cold. As a result, I started pushing the beast milk for Clara. Saturday night Lucy woke up feeling awful. She coughed so hard it made her vomit, her nose was running like a fountain, and she was running a fever. 

Since then I've pretty much been giving Clara all the milk I pump in the morning. And? She still not sick...yet. Haha. 

It is interesting that Clara generally gets sick first between my girls. After all, she was my sicker preemie. She's always sick for a few days before passing it on to Lucy. 

 I'm not saying my milk will keep her from getting sick completely, but I definitely can see a difference. She has a bit of a cough, but no runny nose, fever, or misery like Lucy. 

It's amazing to me that when I've told a few people that Clara likes my milk they think it's weird or gross. Drinking the milk of another species is much weirder if you ask me! She's not nursing, but getting all the benefits. The best part? When Stella doesn't finish a bottle we know it won't go to waste. Instead, Clara happily finishes it. 

Milk with lunch for L &C. Can you tell the difference?