Battling the bottle

Evalie is a few days shy of 5 months old ( can't believe it!) and is a great baby, right on track with everything..she sits up ( never rolled over..though), is vocal, reaches for things, does her tummy time, etc. She smiles, plays is so alert ( as every stranger who meets her reminds me!) BUT she absolutely detests that bottle.

Its the worst thing you could do to her in her little baby existence..nothing else makes her as mad and unsettled as the feeling of an artificial nipple in her mouth. She puts other things in her mouth..her fingers, my fingers, stuffed birds, burp cloths and more but when you attempt to feed her from a bottle the battle begins! She screams, cries, throws her head back and thrusts her feet forward as if she's trying to escape from the arms of who ever is feeding her. She won't stand for it! Its really making a bit of a problem for me because, I cannot be away from her for more than a couple of hours. We have been trying her at the bottle for several months actually, and have tried many bottles/nipples to no avail. I initially wanted to use glass bottles, so I bought four LifeFactory bottles before she came and just assumed when it was time, she'd take it..I was wrong. Its got a cool looking sillicone sleeve but, the nipple was hard and seemed to be choking her because its long so I went in search of a different bottle. We tried the bottles which her sister Arielle willingly took, the Playtex premium nurser and although it solved the choking problem and has a softer nipple shaped more like a natural nipple, she didn't like this one either. I then decided to try the bottle a few moms suggested was closest to natural, the Tommee Tippee and was pretty excited about it but she still would not latch on. My mother bought the NUK bottle which has a sculpted asymmetrical nipple and tried it on her and we began to make progess. She was willing to play with it and wasn't so mad during the feeding even though she still didn't actually latch on. We have since continued to feed her daily from that bottle but it become too stressful for the husband..coming home from work and having to be the bad guy (they advise having someone else feed her..not mommy) and deal with an extremely annoyed baby after missing her all day.

So a few days ago I had to go to a meeting and left at 10am and wouldn't return until 8pm, my husband took the day off to be on baby duty because we couldn't bear to leave her with anyone especially for the first time. He was nervous, I was nervous but we had to do it. I fed her before I left ( about 8:30am) and didn't come home until 7:45pm and she only took 1/4 of an ounce of milk from the bottle ( daddy had to squirt it in her mouth)..ALL DAY!
So now I ask, any suggestions people?..innovative ideas needed because I have tried it all. I will be returning to work in a few weeks and she will be with a nanny from 8:30 to 6:30 so she has to take the bottle, right? If you read this blog and have never commented, today is the day to start please because I am terrified to leave her if she plans on starving herself and clearly she does! Don't let those cheeks fool you!

These days..

These days, I am thankful for quiet mornings folding laundry with my little girl. She sits and plays while I organize her cloths. We smile at each other and silently assure each other that everything is OK. She doesn't realize how much her smile assures me. Happy Monday.

20 Weeks Old

At 20 weeks, Evalie you are 16.9 lbs and 26 inches long. You are definitely going through a transition because you now insist on sitting on the floor so much so that you slide off the lap of anyone carrying you just to get to the floor. You've also discovered the Exersaucer which you really seem to like as well and you are quite steady in it as well.  Last week you had you 4 month visit and Dr. Jamie says you are perfect and has instructed us to start you on solids and so since Thanksgiving was just last week, we chose Acorn squash as your first vegetable. I baked some for Thanksgiving dinner with a maples-soy ginger glaze but for yours we steamed plain (with some water). Last week you had started Happy Bellies oatmeal cereal mixed with mommy milk which you don't love but will eat. Tonight you had your second helping of Acorn squash and to my surprise, you liked it, you even fussed every time I sat for too long without giving you any. Of course you are still working on not pushing your tongue out at me when I try to feed you but I think you'll be pretty good pretty soon. You do make some chewing movements so I know you are trying to get the food back.

On a less happy note, you are teething and today must have been a big day in the process because you have cried so much today, that I am happy to see you quiet right now (sitting on the floor, playing with my feet). You've been tugging at year right ear and been generally unhappy all day but I resisted giving you Tylenol before I tried everything else and after a bath and squash I think you are OK..for now. I will call Dr. Jamie later if we have a tough bedtime. Anyway, as usual..you loved you bath and love playing with your sister.

Your face seems to be changing from a little baby look into a very cute girlie look but I still can't get over the cheeks, I still remember when the ultrasound tech saw you in 3d, she immediately gasp.."oh my gosh, look at those cheeks" and sure enough, your cheeks look like two eggs hanging off you face..its absolutely adorable. I love you little girl. 

Christmas Wishlist

I figured since my family has decided to do a Secret Santa this year, it wouldn't hurt to put together my wishlist for things I really "wish" ( wish being the critical word here!) for but do not expect anyone to buy for me. Its more of a wishlist for myself, when I deicde I can treat myself which I hope I have a reason to do so soon..I certainly don't expect to get these things from m husband either but who knows since he is playing the Powerball today maybe he'll be the one in one hundred and seventy five million to win the $500 million. Unfortunately, its more likely to get killed by a vending machine.

1. Autumn Cashmere Black Cashmere Oversized cowl Neck Sweater
2. Rebecca Minkoff black suede 'Dime' crepe wedge boots
3. Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
4. Chloé 'Marcie - Large' Leather Hobo
5. Momogrammed Jewelry box
6. Marrakesh Dress
7. Geneva Sound System Model M
8. Paula Bianco Chunky Knit Wrap Scarf
9. 3-Piece Farmhouse Cheese Knife Set
10. All-Clad Classic Round Waffle Maker