A lot of our favorites from the past 2 months have been lifesavers with all the new developments in Ellen’s motor skills. It’s hard to believe 6 months ago, she was just a small, helpless infant….and NOW, she can sit up, make sounds, reach and grab for things. It is truly amazing.

1. Boogie Wipes – The boogies are never-ending. They are always there. I wipe her nose and 5 minutes later, they are BACK! Where are they coming froooommmmm?! These boogie wipes are the best invention ever. They smell GREAT and must have some magic boogie grabbing magnets in them.

2. Rainforest Jumperoo – When we first got this, Ellen’s feet couldn’t even touch the floor. Now she is bouncing, almost to the ceiling. She LOVES this thing. She has also just recently discovered the parrot and frog hanging from above and it is her new mission in life to get those things.

3. O-Ball Clickity Twist– Really, any of the O-Ball toys are great! They are lightweight and so easy for her to grab and hold on to. Also very easy to clean….which we do repeatedly because it is ALWAYS in her mouth.

4. Boppy – We have now started using this on the floor to help Ellen sit up on her own. She still hasn’t quite mastered sitting upright without assistance, so this helps during playtime when she starts leaning over.

5. Munchkin Soft Tip Spoons– We started feeding E solids right near 5 months, and these spoons are really great. Fun colors, soft tip. And they come 6 in a pack!

6. IKEA Kalas Bowls– I love love love having an IKEA so close to home. They really have some steals, including these great bowls. $2 for six bowls. We also got the plates as well.

7. Orajel – Great for quick pain relief when Ellen is having a rough time with teething. I don’t go crazy….just a little dab any time she is a little fussier than normal, or right before bedtime.

8. Dribble Bibs – With teething comes LOTS and LOTS of drool. These are a great alternative to regular bibs, because she can throw her arms around all she wants and it won’t pop back up in her face. Etsy is the perfect place to find these, in all different shapes, sizes, patterns, and prices.

9. Freddie the Firefly – We’ve moved on from the zebra to Freddie here. He has a ton of different textures to feel, crinkly wings, and a great teething toy to gnaw on. He goes everywhere with us.

10. Bumbo – We love the bumbo! Ever since E could hold her head up, she was sitting in the bumbo. We currently use it for feeding, only because she is more comfortable sitting in it than her high chair (which is still a little big for her). It’s also easy to transport and wipe down if things get a little messy.

STATS:

Weight: 16.8 lbs.
Height: 26 in.

60th percentile in both weight and height!

LIKES:

Eating food, peekaboo, open mouth kisses, shaking her head “no”, blowing raspberries, jumping, grabbing her feet

HATES:

Tummy time, nose frida, and the boogie wipes.

MILESTONES:

{Sleeping} Sleeping great from 7:30-6:00 with the occasional 4-5 o’clock wake up. She is also officially un-swaddled! I was really worried it may have taken a bit of getting used to, but she did GREAT the first night! She loves to sleep on her side with her hands up near her face.

Napping is still a work in progress at home. She is a GREAT napper….just prefers to be on mommy or daddy and not in her bed. This may be my fault. I just love the cuddles and want to get as much of them as I can.

{Movement} We’ve come SO far in just the last month. Grabbing and reaching for objects and faces. We also rolled over front to back and back to front just this last week! She absolutely LOVES standing up and jumping up and down (which I think has a little bit to do with her jumperoo).

{Eating} Still eating about the same. 6 ounces every 3 hours, with a couple ounces of fruit/veggie and rice cereal in the morning and at night! Our favorites so far have been sweet potato, pear, and apple. Looking forward to trying some new flavors….peas, green beans, peaches, and papaya!

{Teething} We have a tooth! The bottom left has come in….now just waiting on the other. Still drooling like crazy and wearing a bib 24/7.

{Talking} She loves to sing and talk to herself, especially in her crib right before she falls asleep. She has also started laughing a TON when we play peekaboo. Cutest. Sound. Ever. I could never get tired of it.

STATS:

Weight: 15.6 lbs.
Height: I am guessing around 25 inches. Won’t find out until next month at her 6 month appointment!

LIKES:

Rainforest Jumperoo, Rainforest Activity gym, sitting up and being a part of the group, being tickled, Freddie the Firefly

HATES:

Sitting still unless she is eating, and she still hates having her nose wiped or sucked by the the Frida…..and teething. Oh the teething….

MILESTONES:

{Sleeping} We’ve had a small regression with the sleep. Still getting to bed around 7-7:30, but waking anytime between 2 and 4 in the morning, and then up for good at 6. I think it is due to a combination of a growth spurt and teething for sure. Usually sticking her paci in her mouth and turning the sleep sheep back on does the trick! And sometimes a bit of orajel helps her gummies.

{Movement} Lots and lots of moving! She hates to sit still unless she is eating. Any other time and she is lunging forward, trying to sit up or bouncing up and down, pushing with her legs. We are doing much better at tummy time, but we still haven’t figured out how to roll over yet. We are almost sitting up on our own too! She is good at balancing once she is up, but the minute she starts to lean, she doesn’t know how to catch herself.

In the crib, we have to strategically place her, on a diagonal, toward the upper right side. By the time we get her in the morning, she has somehow managed to wedge herself into the bottom left corner of the crib….upside down. Like a little inchworm.

{Eating} Eating like a champ! 6 ounces every 3 hours PLUS started on some rice cereal with fruits and veggies! We’ve had apples, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots so far. We have been doing about 1 ounce a day of fruit or veggie with about a tablespoon of rice cereal, and trying to introduce something new every 3 or 4 days. I think the rice has definitely helped her BM’s and her diaper rash is completely gone!

{Teething} Still gumming and drooling on everything! Just recently, she has really started to show the signs of the teeth pushing through. Fussy, restless, and clenching her gums together.

{Talking} Lots of talking and singing. And trying to mimic our sounds.

STATS:

Weight: 15.6 lbs.
Height: I am guessing around 25 inches. Won’t find out until next month at her 6 month appointment!

LIKES:

Rainforest Jumperoo, Rainforest Activity gym, sitting up and being a part of the group, being tickled, Freddie the Firefly

HATES:

Sitting still unless she is eating, and she still hates having her nose wiped or sucked by the the Frida…..and teething. Oh the teething….

MILESTONES:

{Sleeping} We’ve had a small regression with the sleep. Still getting to bed around 7-7:30, but waking anytime between 2 and 4 in the morning, and then up for good at 6. I think it is due to a combination of a growth spurt and teething for sure. Usually sticking her paci in her mouth and turning the sleep sheep back on does the trick! And sometimes a bit of orajel helps her gummies.

{Movement} Lots and lots of moving! She hates to sit still unless she is eating. Any other time and she is lunging forward, trying to sit up or bouncing up and down, pushing with her legs. We are doing much better at tummy time, but we still haven’t figured out how to roll over yet. We are almost sitting up on our own too! She is good at balancing once she is up, but the minute she starts to lean, she doesn’t know how to catch herself.

In the crib, we have to strategically place her, on a diagonal, toward the upper right side. By the time we get her in the morning, she has somehow managed to wedge herself into the bottom left corner of the crib….upside down. Like a little inchworm.

{Eating} Eating like a champ! 6 ounces every 3 hours PLUS started on some rice cereal with fruits and veggies! We’ve had apples, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots so far. We have been doing about 1 ounce a day of fruit or veggie with about a tablespoon of rice cereal, and trying to introduce something new every 3 or 4 days. I think the rice has definitely helped her BM’s and her diaper rash is completely gone!

{Teething} Still gumming and drooling on everything! Just recently, she has really started to show the signs of the teeth pushing through. Fussy, restless, and clenching her gums together.

{Talking} Lots of talking and singing. And trying to mimic our sounds.

STATS:

Weight: 15.6 lbs.
Height: I am guessing around 25 inches. Won’t find out until next month at her 6 month appointment!

LIKES:

Rainforest Jumperoo, Rainforest Activity gym, sitting up and being a part of the group, being tickled, Freddie the Firefly

HATES:

Sitting still unless she is eating, and she still hates having her nose wiped or sucked by the the Frida…..and teething. Oh the teething….

MILESTONES:

{Sleeping} We’ve had a small regression with the sleep. Still getting to bed around 7-7:30, but waking anytime between 2 and 4 in the morning, and then up for good at 6. I think it is due to a combination of a growth spurt and teething for sure. Usually sticking her paci in her mouth and turning the sleep sheep back on does the trick! And sometimes a bit of orajel helps her gummies.

{Movement} Lots and lots of moving! She hates to sit still unless she is eating. Any other time and she is lunging forward, trying to sit up or bouncing up and down, pushing with her legs. We are doing much better at tummy time, but we still haven’t figured out how to roll over yet. We are almost sitting up on our own too! She is good at balancing once she is up, but the minute she starts to lean, she doesn’t know how to catch herself.

In the crib, we have to strategically place her, on a diagonal, toward the upper right side. By the time we get her in the morning, she has somehow managed to wedge herself into the bottom left corner of the crib….upside down. Like a little inchworm.

{Eating} Eating like a champ! 6 ounces every 3 hours PLUS started on some rice cereal with fruits and veggies! We’ve had apples, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots so far. We have been doing about 1 ounce a day of fruit or veggie with about a tablespoon of rice cereal, and trying to introduce something new every 3 or 4 days. I think the rice has definitely helped her BM’s and her diaper rash is completely gone!

{Teething} Still gumming and drooling on everything! Just recently, she has really started to show the signs of the teeth pushing through. Fussy, restless, and clenching her gums together.

{Talking} Lots of talking and singing. And trying to mimic our sounds.

STATS:

Weight: 15.6 lbs.
Height: I am guessing around 25 inches. Won’t find out until next month at her 6 month appointment!

LIKES:

Rainforest Jumperoo, Rainforest Activity gym, sitting up and being a part of the group, being tickled, Freddie the Firefly

HATES:

Sitting still unless she is eating, and she still hates having her nose wiped or sucked by the the Frida…..and teething. Oh the teething….

MILESTONES:

{Sleeping} We’ve had a small regression with the sleep. Still getting to bed around 7-7:30, but waking anytime between 2 and 4 in the morning, and then up for good at 6. I think it is due to a combination of a growth spurt and teething for sure. Usually sticking her paci in her mouth and turning the sleep sheep back on does the trick! And sometimes a bit of orajel helps her gummies.

{Movement} Lots and lots of moving! She hates to sit still unless she is eating. Any other time and she is lunging forward, trying to sit up or bouncing up and down, pushing with her legs. We are doing much better at tummy time, but we still haven’t figured out how to roll over yet. We are almost sitting up on our own too! She is good at balancing once she is up, but the minute she starts to lean, she doesn’t know how to catch herself.

In the crib, we have to strategically place her, on a diagonal, toward the upper right side. By the time we get her in the morning, she has somehow managed to wedge herself into the bottom left corner of the crib….upside down. Like a little inchworm.

{Eating} Eating like a champ! 6 ounces every 3 hours PLUS started on some rice cereal with fruits and veggies! We’ve had apples, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots so far. We have been doing about 1 ounce a day of fruit or veggie with about a tablespoon of rice cereal, and trying to introduce something new every 3 or 4 days. I think the rice has definitely helped her BM’s and her diaper rash is completely gone!

{Teething} Still gumming and drooling on everything! Just recently, she has really started to show the signs of the teeth pushing through. Fussy, restless, and clenching her gums together.

{Talking} Lots of talking and singing. And trying to mimic our sounds.

STATS:

Weight: 15.6 lbs.
Height: I am guessing around 25 inches. Won’t find out until next month at her 6 month appointment!

LIKES:

Rainforest Jumperoo, Rainforest Activity gym, sitting up and being a part of the group, being tickled, Freddie the Firefly

HATES:

Sitting still unless she is eating, and she still hates having her nose wiped or sucked by the the Frida…..and teething. Oh the teething….

MILESTONES:

{Sleeping} We’ve had a small regression with the sleep. Still getting to bed around 7-7:30, but waking anytime between 2 and 4 in the morning, and then up for good at 6. I think it is due to a combination of a growth spurt and teething for sure. Usually sticking her paci in her mouth and turning the sleep sheep back on does the trick! And sometimes a bit of orajel helps her gummies.

{Movement} Lots and lots of moving! She hates to sit still unless she is eating. Any other time and she is lunging forward, trying to sit up or bouncing up and down, pushing with her legs. We are doing much better at tummy time, but we still haven’t figured out how to roll over yet. We are almost sitting up on our own too! She is good at balancing once she is up, but the minute she starts to lean, she doesn’t know how to catch herself.

In the crib, we have to strategically place her, on a diagonal, toward the upper right side. By the time we get her in the morning, she has somehow managed to wedge herself into the bottom left corner of the crib….upside down. Like a little inchworm.

{Eating} Eating like a champ! 6 ounces every 3 hours PLUS started on some rice cereal with fruits and veggies! We’ve had apples, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots so far. We have been doing about 1 ounce a day of fruit or veggie with about a tablespoon of rice cereal, and trying to introduce something new every 3 or 4 days. I think the rice has definitely helped her BM’s and her diaper rash is completely gone!

{Teething} Still gumming and drooling on everything! Just recently, she has really started to show the signs of the teeth pushing through. Fussy, restless, and clenching her gums together.

{Talking} Lots of talking and singing. And trying to mimic our sounds.

STATS:

Weight: 15.6 lbs.
Height: I am guessing around 25 inches. Won’t find out until next month at her 6 month appointment!

LIKES:

Rainforest Jumperoo, Rainforest Activity gym, sitting up and being a part of the group, being tickled, Freddie the Firefly

HATES:

Sitting still unless she is eating, and she still hates having her nose wiped or sucked by the the Frida…..and teething. Oh the teething….

MILESTONES:

{Sleeping} We’ve had a small regression with the sleep. Still getting to bed around 7-7:30, but waking anytime between 2 and 4 in the morning, and then up for good at 6. I think it is due to a combination of a growth spurt and teething for sure. Usually sticking her paci in her mouth and turning the sleep sheep back on does the trick! And sometimes a bit of orajel helps her gummies.

{Movement} Lots and lots of moving! She hates to sit still unless she is eating. Any other time and she is lunging forward, trying to sit up or bouncing up and down, pushing with her legs. We are doing much better at tummy time, but we still haven’t figured out how to roll over yet. We are almost sitting up on our own too! She is good at balancing once she is up, but the minute she starts to lean, she doesn’t know how to catch herself.

In the crib, we have to strategically place her, on a diagonal, toward the upper right side. By the time we get her in the morning, she has somehow managed to wedge herself into the bottom left corner of the crib….upside down. Like a little inchworm.

{Eating} Eating like a champ! 6 ounces every 3 hours PLUS started on some rice cereal with fruits and veggies! We’ve had apples, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots so far. We have been doing about 1 ounce a day of fruit or veggie with about a tablespoon of rice cereal, and trying to introduce something new every 3 or 4 days. I think the rice has definitely helped her BM’s and her diaper rash is completely gone!

{Teething} Still gumming and drooling on everything! Just recently, she has really started to show the signs of the teeth pushing through. Fussy, restless, and clenching her gums together.

{Talking} Lots of talking and singing. And trying to mimic our sounds.

Well, we have officially made it through winter storm Leon. I had an easier time of it than Drew, getting home this past Tuesday. 2 hours vs. a whopping 9. I could not be more thankful to have gotten out of work when I did. The roads were just getting bad, and everyone in the city of Atlanta had just been given the go ahead to all get in their cars and leave at the same time. My primary concern was just getting my baby at daycare and heading home safely before it got worse.

Being so close to home was a blessing. Here are some shots I was able to get just as we got home. (And of course, the shots in the car were taken at a standstill….I was 10 and 2 the whole way!)

Having an entire afternoon waiting for Drew to get home safely, Ellen and I watched the chaos on the news. So many cars in wrecks, people running out of gas, abandoning their vehicles. Kids and teachers all over the city were stuck at schools overnight. Some slept in their cars. A woman even gave birth on 285 because they could not get to the hospital in time!!

After leaving at 1:00 that afternoon, Andrew finally walked in the door at 10:30….making it the full 30 miles from Atlanta, smashing into a curb, and walking the last 1 1/2 miles home. Luckily, he was okay and the car is a little banged up. Could have been a lot worse considering the circumstances.

Wednesday we were still snowed in and Ellen got to experience her first snow!

Temperatures did not even get above freezing, so all of the ice and snow stuck around until this morning.

Perfect coffee and fuzzy sock weather right here. Thankful we were all home, under one roof, safe and sound.