Melificent

Life with Luna: 6 Months

6months

A half birthday. What?

How on earth did my tiny IUGR baby get half way to one year so quickly? A little after her 5 month mark, she started attempting to sit up and now she loves to sit unassisted and look at her world from a different angle. She’s giggly and fun, and adores to watch YouTube (she smiles every time the logo comes up on our TV). She is just starting to show some interest in cartoons (I’ve been watching My Little Pony with her), and shrieks when she is excited about something (the signs of a budding fangirl, for sure). She’s also eating solids and hasn’t rejected one yet (although some icky reactions have caused us to discontinue). I can’t believe all the milestones my little one has reached and find myself getting really nostalgic for those early days. I’ve been looking at pictures of her birth, and wanting the hubs to finish editing the birth video so I can relive that day. It’s not baby fever, because I still have a baby and do not want to get pregnant again anytime soon, so I really don’t know what to call it aside from nostalgia.

Time is moving really fast – the weeks fly by, I barely have time to take the moments in, but I try as hard as I can. I find myself getting really emotional about the passing of time and want to hold on desperately before everything just slips through the cracks. Did this just get overly dramatic?

I guess the feelings I’m trying to describe here are to not take any moments for granted and to really enjoy what you are given when you are given it. I do not know what I did to deserve this amazing little person that has made us a family, but I plan on being thankful for it every day of my life.

Happy half, Luna.

In just 6 months, you have made me an infinitely better person.

Life with Luna: 5 Months

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I can hardly believe that we are standing on the edge of a half birthday. Luna is 5 months old, and although Mommy is very , very tired (I have a newfound hate for daylight savings time), she could not be happier. Every day little Luna’s smile lights up my life. She continues to be the happiest baby and is learning new things every day! She is getting her helmet off this week, is rolling both front/back and back/front and trying to shuffle her way around when in her play pen area. She squeals like strangled dolphin when she laughs and is obsessed with her dogs – often reaching out to touch their fur and giggling when they run around the house.

She has discovered her feet, and cannot keep them still. Most of the time, she is working on a way to fit them into her mouth. Speaking of her mouth, Luna has just started the teething process. Everything goes straight into her mouth, including many of my body parts. However, one of the cutest new developments is that Luna will reach her hands out for either myself or her dad so that we can place it in her palms.  She will then caress our faces (she loves her dad’s beard!) and pull them towards her own so she can give us open mouthed kisses. I absolutely melt.

Now that her helmet is coming off, I have to transition her into a bassinet instead of the Rock ‘n Play she’s been sleeping in since birth (it is a main culprit for flat head). I am totally tormented because, being a new mom, I am terrified she will die in her sleep and I often spend sleepless nights in bed just staring at her breathing. I will no longer be able to do this obsessive staring since I cannot see her when she’s in the bassinet (it’s higher than our bed). This would require me to physically get up and peer over it in order to check on her. Mommy is not cool with this new situation. So I could use some encouragement and a reminder to stop being so neurotic. Or at least to try. 😉

Here’s hoping I’ll be victorious at our next update!

Creating a Sacred Space

sacredspace

Things have been going on in my personal life that have been causing me a lot of stress and anguish that I’d rather keep off the blog (don’t worry, Luna is fine). However, this thing has made me realize how important it is to somehow balance myself and make sure I’m there for my daughter in every way possible. Life can get very hectic for all of us, and I wanted to create a little retreat for myself that I could go to when I have the time to just meditate or send thoughts and prayers. I consider myself a spiritual person, but honestly, this space can be anything for you, regardless of religion. Ultimately, it is just my little corner of peace from a sometimes very loud and stressful life.

As mentioned, I think everyone can benefit from a space like this, so I thought I would share how I created mine! First off, I’d like to say how hysterical I find it that I got almost every single piece at Hobby Lobby, which is known for its staunch, conservative views. I don’t agree with this one bit, but I’ll be completely honest here: I freaking LOVE their products and am borderline obsessed with the place. I’m a consumer, and I’m not ashamed of it. Sue me.

But on to the creating! As I mentioned, I took my happy-little-namaste-needing-self to Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago and started shopping for supplies. Although we own our own home, it has an open floor plan, which means not a whole lot of nooks and crannies for little spots like these. I actually had to move my hamper out of the way so that I could use this small corner of our bedroom, so I was looking for a small table. This one was perfect as it matched our bedroom’s decor, but had adequate tabletop space, which is needed! You could also add a little pouf or blanket so that you can comfortably sit in front of it, but I just don’t have the room so I sit on the floor.

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I got two small dishes: one that holds all my crystal jewelry and pendulum, and another that holds my sage and palo santo. The jewelry is self explanatory. I wear it when I feel I need the extra inspiration or protection, depending on the crystal and the situation. As for the pendulum, it’s my favorite magical item. Find out more about them here.
The palo santo and sage are to cleanse my space and self of negative energies. This is a staple in my life. I smudge quite often, and an added benefit is that both smell so great. They leave my house smelling lovely (which is nice considering I barely have time for housework these days).
Again, if this isn’t your vibe at all, you can have little trinkets that remind you to be at peace or maybe bring you closer to a role model or a person that meant a lot to you (like your grandmother’s ring, for example). I also have an absolutely tiny (& adorable) Buddha bust that stands watch at the center of my table.

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Life with Luna: 4 months

4months

Time feels like it is racing by. I recently visited my bestie who just had her daughter, and when holding little Zelda, I could not believe that just 4 months ago, I had someone even tinier in my arms. It really put things into perspective. Before I know it, my baby girl will be a year old and hobbling around like a tiny drunk human and these precious moments will be only memories. Luna only gets more amazing with every day.

She has finally decided to start rolling over from tummy to back consistently, but she will only grace me with one performance a day (which is apparently normal at this stage). She is also getting very vocal – sometimes screaming with joy or determination (I will stick you in my mouth, toy!), and can sit up with some proper propping (definitely not the case with this photo). Lu is a pro at tummy time now, even with her helmet, although she much rather be on her back having dance parties with mom and dad.

Luna started this journey barely scratching the growth charts at the 3rd percentile and is now in the 50th for weight and 25th for length. It’s amazing how far she has come in such a short period of time. She’s such a tough little girl that is laid back and goes with the flow. She has easily adjusted into our lifestyle and schedules, and seriously makes our lives so much happier on a daily basis. All mommy and daddy ask for is for a better sleep pattern (sleep regression sucks)!

Until next month, moon of my life!

Life with Luna: DocBand Baby

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Over the past few weeks, my husband and I have been deciding how we should tackle Luna’s flat spot. We were referred to Cranial Technologies by our pediatrician, and their report suggested that Lu’s little noggin’ was on the severe end of moderate. Should we get her a helmet or just hope it rounds over time? People out there have a lot of opinions about this topic, and seem to be either vehemently against it or tout it as the best thing they have ever done for their child. Ultimately though, I knew it was our decision to make.

And we went with the helmet.

I couldn’t stomach the idea that if it didn’t round out on its own down the line, that there was something that could have helped her, but I decided to pass on it. I haven’t cried yet, which is nothing short of a miracle. I think I’m the only one with the problem though. Luna has not taken issue with it at all. She sleeps just as well, and although wasn’t as smiley the first couple of days, is now her usual happy self. One thing I have noticed is that she is really struggling with tummy time. The extra weight on her head (how ever light weight the helmet advertises to be) is really doing a number on her, and she is barely lifting her head up – often just laying down in total defeat with or without crying.

I asked multiple times if the helmet would stunt or stand in the way of her development, and I was assured it would not, so I’m hoping she is just adjusting to the new weight on the top of her head and will be raising it up higher and with better control in no time (at the time I wrote this post, we were only on day 3). We are scheduled for a 7 week treatment window, and I cross all my body parts that that was an accurate estimate. Although I’m looking forward to decorating this new accessory (look out for it on social media), I can’t wait for it to be retired. I soothe my mommy emoness by reminding myself that I am doing what’s best for my child, no matter what that may mean. And also by telling myself that if this is the worst I have to battle, then I’m the luckiest mommy on this planet.

 

Have any of your kiddos had to use the DocBand (or a similar cranial helmet)? Any advice to offer this newcomer?