Five Months Old – Amy watch

And so time marches on. My baby girl was 5 months old yesterday.

Sleep (or lack thereof) 

This month has been one of poor sleep.  In her four month update I wrote about how there had been “some nights where she’s been up every 2 hours” – it pains me to say that this has now become pretty much the norm.  On a typical night we can be up at 11.30pm, 1.30am, 3.30am, 5.30am and then she will sleep till about 8.30am when I get her up for school.  It’s generally a quick feed and back down pretty easily which I’m grateful for but it does mean my sleep is horribly disturbed with me rarely getting more than 2 hours chunks and its starting to take it’s toll.  I think she’s more in the habit of waking & feeding for comfort than hunger but in all honesty it’s far easier and quicker to feed her than to try and settle her without.  Of course she could be waking as a sign of being ready for weaning but my gut feeling is that that’s not the case.  She doesn’t have much of a routine during the day in terms of her sleeping and is in a similar phase to that which I remember Ben having of short naps or mega long sleeps with no in-between – I think this will probably settle a bit more after the Easter holidays when I intend to put her down for sleeps in her bed where possible (up to now I’ve put her in pram ready for regular school runs but this won’t be so much of an issue after the holidays).

Little Lady Long Legs

Although I have no idea what she weighs this month I can safely say she is growing well as she’s already moving into her 6-9 month clothes – I tried three separate items on her the other day before I found something that fit so it’s time to sort the drawers out, pack away the 3-6 month and get her some new bits and pieces (I don’t have much 6-9 month stuff of Chloe’s as I must have given it away).  I don’t get her dressed in “proper clothes” every day but it’s more the norm now (that’s said she still likes to be sick on her proper clothes rather than her sleepsuits for some reason!)

Boobs, Bottles & Looking Ahead to Weaning

This month we have successfully managed a couple of bottles!!  I had my first afternoon out without her so she didn’t have much choice really (although I was only a few miles away so could have been home within 20 minutes if she really took against it).  Dave was thrilled that she had taken the bottle from him.  I’d like to say it was expressed breast milk but in all honesty I just can’t face sitting a pumping when I’ve got the other two demanding my attention too.  I think for the sake of the occasional feed a bit of formula isn’t going to do her any harm!  We also had our first evening out together this weekend to celebrate our second wedding anniversary – she was settled in bed before we went out and we were home before she woke for her first feed so that was nice and easy!  Weaning is on the horizon but we’re not in any rush – I don’t think she’d refuse it if I offered her but at the same time I don’t think she’s particularly showing signs of being ready so I’m aiming to start her nearer 6 months.

Illness

This month saw a full dose of the lurgy for all three children with Amy suffering impetigo on her the back of her ear (which is apparently really common) and quickly following it up with a dose of antibiotics for a mild chest infection. Luckily she recovered quickly, though after being served up Amoxicillin I’m not sure she’s going to trust me when I start to offer her food!  As a result of the infection she missed her 3rd set of immunisations – which were already really late anyway so she will finally be having her 16wk imms tomorrow!

Physical Development

This month Amy has discovered her feet and will spend ages grabbing at them and playing.  She’s also got very skilled at getting her hands to her mouth and giving her thumb a good suck – she clearly gets a lot of comfort from it (and I think its very cute!)  Have gained a bit more control of her hands and feet she’s starting to grab for toys more now and especially likes her Lamaze Bella Rabbit which she has been sent to review.

I’m concious of trying to give Amy chance to be on the floor a bit more when Ben and Chloe are out and she’s now rolling from her back to her right side and she also does sneaky 180 degree turns when I’m not looking – how on earth do they do that?

She’s enjoying being sat up more in her Fisher Price Sit Me Up chair or her First Steps Jumperoo (watch out for reviews of those soon) which makes it easier for her to watch what Ben and Chloe are doing.

Family & Friends 

Amy absolutely adores her big brother and looks for Ben when she can hear his voice – he spends so much time trying to make her laugh or smile and she generally rewards him with a big beaming grin.  Chloe likes to push her pram whenever I give her chance and announces to anyone who will listen “That’s Amy, that’s my sister” – we couldn’t be luckier with the way they have both accepted her.  She’s such a relaxed and settled little lady, happy to be held and relishing in social situations where she just seems to sit and take everything in with her big wide ears and a ready smile for anyone who talks to her.

That wig! 

Her hair is getting so long now and is right down the back of her neck.  She has finally started to rub away a bit of a thin patch which I think might well go bald soon.  As it gets longer its starting to show more of a curl as well.  I almost bought her a couple of jersey hairbands earlier in the week.  If she had a pound for every time someone said “Look at all that hair” she’d be better off than me!