Ashlynne: Strength development has been a little slow moving. I think the torticollis provides some obstacles but regardless, everyday Ash gets stronger and will play on her tummy a little bit longer. At about 3 1/2 months we had a setback with her neck. Two weeks before, you could hardly tell that she favored her right side at all, and so I think we dropped the ball and got a little lax on her exercises. It was frustrating because she was about to start daycare where there was no way to make sure they took care with her positioning etc. It's doing much better now, but we continue to work with her and encourage her to use those muscles. Slow and steady wins the race, I guess.
Speaking of development, Ashlynne's sleep schedule has gone completely haywire -- I clearly didn't knock on enough wood since last month. Our once sleep-through-the-night-baby woke up 3 times before morning last night. This new trend started a couple weeks ago when I found her chatting and smiling one morning while on her belly in her Woombie. After smiling back at her I quickly sighed "Oh no". I knew the end of the Woombie magic had come....and way too soon! It is impossible for her to get her arms out of that thing so if she needed to push her self up from the mattress and her hands were down by her side, it could be bad news. Since then she's been in a swaddle that helps her fall into a deep sleep, but she often has broken out of it a few hours later. I don't know if it is a milestone (rolling), growing (chub a wub eats constantly), no more Woombie or a combination of all three that has contributed to the craptastic sleep schedule, but it's no bueno, man. She is usually up no less than twice in the night now. I think we'll be trying out the sleep sack soon and just maybe she'll find her way to her side or tummy because it's more comfortable and we'll all sleep a little bit better. Fingers crossed!
Some fun developments happened this month though that make all the sleep deprivation worth it. Ashlynne laughs now which is the cutest thing ever in the history of the world, no universe! Especially the spontaneous laughs, where she'll just be chillin' and then burst into laughter at who knows what. That's the best! And when we can make her laugh, boy is that immensely gratifying. I don't know if there is a greater reward than a baby laugh. Love love love.
She reaches for and holds toys now! Which is especially helpful when I leave her at daycare, so that I can set her down and distract her with a toy, instead of just watching her watch me walk out the door. At home it's been fun watching her get to now her toys too. Her faves are Mr. Moosey and the monkey that hangs from her play gym. She loves to chew and suck on everything so it's about time to get her some teethers and other gnaw-friendly trinkets.
As I mentioned, Ash started daycare at 16 weeks old. It's going well and her teachers seem to really care about her. She's also sleeping well there now, although half of the time it's in a swing. As long as she's sleeping I'm happy---just mind her neck please! Blessed with a cold after her first week there, I'm just glad she started daycare in May and not in the fall or winter. I'm hoping she stays relatively healthy during the summer months, but we'll just have to see...it's a spit swap fest for sure. Keeping up with her bottle demand has been a challenge. I'm just keeping up with the amount of milk she drinks, but creating a frozen stash has been difficult. I just hope we can make it to six months and then once she's on solids I should be able to save up a lot more for the freezer. I've been able to visit on my lunch hour everyday which is the best thing ever. I wonder how long I will be able to do that before she starts crying when I leave. I love it so much, I hope that day doesn't come soon.
Ashlynne has really filled out this month. I think she's in the middle of a growth spurt and her cheeks and thighs have really plumped up, and she's just the squeeziest! I can wait to see how much she weighs next month, I think she's growing at a faster pace than Harlie did at this age which in interesting. Soon she'll be out of her 0-3 month clothes.
Harlie: Currently obsessed with Jake and the Neverland Pirates (also a fave of cousin Max), I'm wondering if there is a Peter Pan trend happening. Last month it was Tinkerbell, now it's Jake. :-) Although she still loves mermaids and princesses too. Gosh I can't wait to to take her to Disneyland. CANNOT WAIT!!!
Harlie is doing well at daycare. Some mornings she is sad to see daddy go but recovers quickly and enjoys playing with her new buddies. Jennifer says she is well behaved and although she is not regularly napping, she'll stay quiet. It's difficult for me not knowing all about her day. She doesn't come home with a daily report like she did at Jessica's. The control freak in me still wants to know every single thing she eats and what activities she's done that day, but I supposed this is only preparing me for when school starts, and the loss of control that comes with that.
I've been especially nostalgic with Harlie these days. I miss her littleness and have been giving her more squeezes, breathing in sweat and sunscreen while telling her I love her and hoping to hear back "I love you too, Mama."
News alert: Harlie likes chicken again! Scott bbq'd some chicken thighs last night and Harlie just raved about how it was SO good! She had two pieces even. She's a funny one...keeps us on our toes. She is hungry all the time as well (even daycare made a comment about how much she eats) and always wants MORE FOOD! Guess she must be going through a growth spurt too. In fact we're all ravenous in my house these days....this isn't so good for my grocery budget. :-)
Harlie started a new dance class with her pal Elinor. I like this one better because the parents can actually sit in class and watch instead of peer through the window. She has a recital next month which should be hilarious to watch. Gosh they are just so cute at this age...when having fun is the most important thing above everything else, like technique! :-)
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