Elisabeth, 5 & 6 months

Elisabeth turned 5 months old November 11th.

So, just after she turned 4 months she started fighting me like crazy with breastfeeding. The best she did was between 3 and 4 months. Between months 4 and 5 she progressively started nursing less and less. I continued to pump during the day and sometimes would pump once during the night if it had been a really long time. Around 5 months she mainly nursed if she woke up in the night, and first thing in the morning. I started to feel really sad about her not wanting to nurse anymore, but was trying really hard at the same time to not let it take away from the joy that she brings me. I'm not going to lie, I still feel a little pain in my heart about it. On the other hand, those "in the middle of the night" feedings were my absolute favorite times with her in our whole nursing career. The house was still, and quiet. No one else was around. She was calm and nursed to her hearts content. When she would finally fall asleep, I would pick up her little body all scrunched with her bum sticking out and just hold her until I had gotten my fill. There's not much greater than rocking your baby while they sleep on your chest. Kissing those chubby, warm cheeks and drinking in that new baby smell.

Even though I have been sad about her weaning, I am told that regardless of when your baby weans, it's pretty normal to feel that sadness. I really am so grateful that I finally figured out how to breastfeed one of my children. I am so thankful for God's hand in that. And for all the many women who taught, helped and supported me along the way. I finally get it. I finally get what an amazing experience it is and even though it wasn't as easy for me as it seems to be for so many other women, I am grateful for what I was able to give her.

And when I lacked the most, a dear friend blessed me with a surplus of frozen breast milk which got me through almost the last whole month. So grateful for that gift!

Elisabeth also graduated from sleeping in the swing, to sleeping in the crib. She's made the transition like a champ. I also started her on some food. She seems to like pretty much everything we have given her. Even the peas! I have only given her brown rice cereal once or twice. It seemed like she got a little backed up though. I'm not sure if it is the extra iron or if it was that and a combination of banana. But we are backing off of those foods for a while.

one of my most favorite pictures of Elisabeth

Today Elisabeth is 6 months old! I really can't believe it has been half a year already. She is still as feisty as ever (meaning, she has an amazing set of lungs on her-or in other words-she's a screamer). But, I just adore her. When she wakes up for good in the morning, she always wakes up happy. I love listening to her babble in her bed and when I go in to see her she greets me with a big, big smile...and more often than not, a stinky diaper.

She is getting more mobile, although she still hasn't rolled from her front to her back. Just from back to front, as quick and as often as possible. She is pushing herself up higher off the ground now and is starting to turn herself a little bit and scoot backwards. She isn't quite sitting up unassisted yet, but is getting stronger that way too.

Her 6 month check up is tomorrow. Stats to follow...