Amber Teething Necklace

Yesterday Chloe's amber teething necklace arrived it the mail! I'm anxious to see if it will make teething easier on her (she has two teeth on the bottom now). I have read a lot about amber necklaces and have heard so many amazing stories of how its eased the pain caused from teething. We really don't want to give Chloe any medicine unless we absolutely have to, so if this necklaces works for our sweet baby that would be amazing! Plus Chloe looks adorable with the necklace on!

Firsts: Solids & Baby Led Weaning

On Friday evening after Mike got home from work we decided to let Chloe try solid food for the first time. I mashed up a little bit of avocado and mixed in some breast milk to thin it out. We were both so excited that Chloe has now reached this exciting new milestone and we couldn't wait to see her reaction as she tasted the avocado for the first time. Right away we could tell that Chloe was not thrilled with the taste! She made the cutest, funniest faces and after a couple tastes turned her head away to signal she was done!

Tuesday evening we decided to give solid food a try again. This time we used banana and let Chloe feed herself instead of pureeing it. It was so much fun to be able to sit back and let Chloe have control. I loved seeing the excitement and curiosity in her eyes and she experienced the texture of the banana in her hands and tasted its sweetness on her tongue! 

Mike and I have been going back and forth between the idea of making Chloe's baby food ourselves or trying the baby led weaning approach to solids, but after experiencing both we know the right thing for Chloe and for us is to let her feed herself. Right now food is just for fun and will continue to be for fun until she's a year old. Chloe will still be getting the majority of her nutrition from breast milk. I know the older she gets the more food that will make it into her mouth instead of on the floor!

In a few days we are going to be trying avocado again but this time I will cut up a big enough piece for Chloe to hold by herself and just simply let her experience the texture and taste all on her on. I have a feeling she will like the avocado much more this way!

For anyone interested in learning more about baby led weaning or about making your own baby food here are a couple of links I found useful:

Wholesome Babyfood

Baby led weaning

Baby Centers baby led weaning group

That Mama Gretchen V. 1 , V. 2 , V. 3

Our First Christmas Tree

On Sunday the scent of pine needles and warm cookies filled our home as we decorated our first tree together with the sound of Christmas music in the background! Chloe mostly played on the floor while watching Mike and I decorate the tree, but she did help put a couple ornaments on for us! Chloe seemed so surprised by the texture of the tree and by the expression on her face I'm not so sure she liked the way it felt!

Sweet Laughter

Last night while Mike was holding Chloe I snuck up behind him, poked my head over his shoulder and while looking at Chloe said "BOO". Chloe immediately burst into laughter! We continued to do this for 5 more minutes or so and each time Chloe laughed harder then the last which was making Mike and crack up. I love moments like this, when were all together just simply laughing! 

Last night I was feeling sorda grumpy but hearing my baby's sweet laughter, and seeing the happiness and excitement in her eyes put me in the best mood. It's amazing to me how something as simple as laughter could bring so much joy and happiness to me, how it can completely make me forget why I was even grumpy in the first place!

She Sits

Chloe can sit up now! I am so excited and so proud of her! We have been practicing everyday for about a month now and then yesterday out of no where Chloe started sitting up all by herself, without me needing to hold her up! It's so exciting watching her grow and learn new things!

5 Months Old

Five months ago tomorrow my sweet Chloe was born. It's hard to believe that five whole months have already passed since that glorious day we met our daughter for the first time. It's incredible how much Chloe has changed since that very first time we held her in our arms. Everyday she is blossoming into her own little person, and I will say this over and over again.... it's the most amazing thing to watch! 

Chloe's stats:

Chloe wont have a doctors appointment until next month at her 6 month checkup so I'm not sure how much she weighs right now, but my guess is around 20-21 lbs and is around 26-27 inches long. Chloe is wearing size 9 months, 6-12 months, and 12 month clothing and is still in a size 3 in diapers.

Life with Chloe: 

It honestly feels like everyday my sweet Chloe is changing and learning so many new and exciting things! She is so fascinated with everything! I often find myself just staring at her in wonder and amazement as she is soaking up the world around her.

:: Chloe is always talking and loves to make lots of interesting noises.

:: She wants to touch and hold everything.

:: Chloe loves playing with all of her toys but her favorite toy is the keyboard for the computer!

:: She loves rolling over onto her belly but hasn't mastered being able to then roll from her belly onto her back.

:: Chloe will turn her head and/or her whole body to reach for something that has caught her eye

She loves being on her tummy now.

:: Chloe is learning how to sit up all on her own and is getting better and better at it everyday

She loves to giggle and smile.

:: Chloe loves music, exceptionally her daddy's music.

:: Chloe has two teeth coming in, one on the bottom center of her mouth, and then another one on the bottom side of her mouth. I cant believe that soon my baby will have her first tooth!

:: I'm the only one that Chloe wants to put her to bed.

:: Chloe hasn't been sleeping the greatest lately which we are almost certain is because she is teething.

:: Chloe's voice is also changing, its a lot louder and stronger sounding.

Food: 

Chloe is still exclusively breastfed and seems to be thriving perfectly fine on just breastmilk alone right now. Somewhere between 6-7 months old is when Mike and I are going to introduce Chloe to solids. We are both pretty excited for Chloe to be able to experience something new and cant wait to see her reaction with each new fruit and veggie we give her! We decided that her first taste of food is going to be a mashed up avocado with a little bit of breastmilk mixed in to make it thinner. I really hope that she will love it!!

Such an incredible five months its been with our sweet Chloe, its amazing how someone so small can have such a huge impact on us!

5 Month Photoshoot