Melificent

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!

Life with Luna: 4 months

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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?

Life with Luna: There’s Still Good in the World

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I fell in love with a certain shop on Etsy, Strangeways Studios. I’ve featured them several times on this blog for their adorable fandom baby onesies. I got Luna’s Christmas day onesie from them, and they sent me a few more onesies and goodies without me asking. So sweet! I’ve featured some of those as well if you remember. A few weeks pass, and they tell me they’ve sent me a little surprise that was inspired by my little Lulu bug. When I received the package, my eyes swelled with tears.

They had designed a onesie that will be sold in their store with the opening lyrics to Luna, the Smashing Pumpkins song I named my daughter after! We had discussed the reason behind the name in a conversation beforehand, and I was so happy that owner recognized the song, as not many people do. It was so absolutely touching. In fact, once Luna grows out of it, I’m pretty sure I’m going to shadowbox it.

I guess the reason I decided to share this story is because so many terrible and heartbreaking things are happening in the world on an everyday basis. Sometimes it’s pretty easy to let that black cloud consume you. However, every now and then, a little light shines through that dark cloud that changes your mind completely. There are still good people in this world, and to quote American Beauty, sometimes there is so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can’t take it.

So thank you, Strangeways Studios, for being that bright little sunbeam that forced its way from out of the clouds and into my life.

Life with Luna: 12 Weeks

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It’s incredible to me that I have a 3 month old baby – where  did the time go? I’m about to start back up at work, and I can’t lie. Not only am I sad, but so nervous. Will I be able to juggle every thing on my plate? This is the true test of mommyhood right here and I’m about to be thrown into it head first! But, back to Lu…

She is a new baby! Thanks to Zantac to alleviate her reflux, Luna and I have such fun and smooth days together. We have a little routine together that works so well. She still hates tummy time and gets bored of locations, so I’m constantly switching up where we do it: her playpen, the crib, the changing table,etc. Although she’s still not a fan, she’s tolerating it for sometimes 10-15 minutes straight and up to 30 minutes a day, so w00t! Turning my phone’s front facing camera towards her as she does it really helps.

She also loves to go out! This kid takes after her parents – she is her happiest out and about checking out new scenery and fresh faces. This makes us super happy because like I had mentioned before, cabin fever was setting in. Now I’m just trying to find the time to focus on me. I haven’t painted my nails since before she was born (I’ve just been sticking on decals), my eyebrows are a hot mess & I forgot what it is to style my hair (I’m lucky if I get to wash it during the week). When looking at all the things I have to accomplish in the week ahead, they take the back burner, but although not a priority when on paper, I do get bummed out when I look at my haggard reflection in the mirror.

For all those mama’s that read my blog, how did/do you find the time to pamper yourself?
Can this even be done during the first few months of baby-dom? Am I being naive to think it can be?