You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Vegan Baby (Year 1)’ category.
Todd at 5 months + 1 week old (23 weeks) – January 30, 2015
SIXTH MONTH
(JANUARY 21 – FEBRUARY 21)
I’ve been thinking this every month– but it seems like each month there’s more going on than the last! Baby development fascinates and entertains me! Let’s dive in…
WEEK 23
There’s lots new to mention this week about sleep and food! (Two of my favorite things, you too?)
Todd grabbing at his loose bedding – January 22, 2015
Sleep–
- Todd started out his 6th month with 2 more record-length night time sleeps (10.75 hours on January 21-22 and 11 hours on January 23-24). In general, 10+ hour night time sleeps are now a regular occurrence and not just outliers.
- Now– when I put Todd in his crib for the night, he’s generally wide awake and no longer practically asleep. He shows that he’s tired by arching back and waving his head from side to side during his before-bed feeding. In bed, he makes little moaning/squeaking noises and then usually falls asleep without crying.
- Check this out! Todd took some day time naps in his crib instead of the swing. I tested it out on January 23rd, not out of necessity, but because I’ve been feeling increasingly nervous knowing that Todd will soon grow too big for the swing. I didn’t know how he’d react to the crib for naps…
That morning, I dressed Todd in his usual (warm) nap clothing, I put on a lullaby music CD, I turned on his Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother, and I gave him a blanket friend to play with. He didn’t cry. He chatted and played for a few minutes, then went to sleep!! Unfortunately, I had to wake him up after 1.5 hours because we had to leave the house for my doctor appointment.
In the afternoon of that same day, he took a 45 minute crib nap. On January 24th, he crib-napped 30 minutes. On January 25th, he crib-napped 45 minutes. On January 26th, he crib-napped 30 minutes, but it was broken up by some crying. But…
On January 27th, he protested his crib nap…so I put him in the swing. And the little turkey fell asleep almost instantly and slept for 2.75 hrs…which is a very typical swing nap length.
After that, I decided that I wanted my “über-napper” back, so from that day onward it was back to swing naps. So…we’ll face the day Todd gets too big for the swing when that day comes. For now we won’t fix what isn’t broken!
1st Crib Nap – January 23, 2015
Food–
I know, I know– Todd isn’t 6 months old yet! But this week we started experimenting with solid food. I started reading a book about Baby Led Weaning (BLW).
On January 25th, Eric made some guacamole (we use just avocado and lime, nothing else). I was going to just put a dot on Todd’s lips for him to taste. Well, Eric got a little excited and grabbed Todd’s spoon to feed him a bite…and another…and another. Todd seemed excited to eat it up. After several bites, though, something triggered his gag reflex, and out it all came. I was taking pics so I caught him mid-gag, haha! The Great Guacamole Feed was over!
Right before the guacamole came up! – January 25, 2015
On January 26th, I went shopping at Babies R Us. We needed some new nipples for our Philips Avent Natural Bottles. Avent’s been our preferred bottle ever since I tried the one I got for free from Target for starting up a baby registry.
If you can believe it, Todd was still using the #1 Newborn Flow nipples well into his 4th month and he only started using the #2 Slow Flow nipples (recommended for ages 1 mo +) well into his 5th month. (We didn’t start the #2s sooner because the formula would run out of his mouth too fast.)
After the shopping trip, we retired the #2s and started using the new #3 Medium Flow nipples (recommended for ages 3 mo +). I bought some Fast Flow (#4) nipples (recommended for ages 6 mo +) for future use.
Todd was ready. After that, he started guzzling 8 ounces in a feeding, without excessive leakage. He purposefully grabbed at his bottle with both hands, pulled it to his mouth, and, for the most part, held it on his own when reclined.
Also on January 26th, we started offering Todd finger foods. At this point, the goal is “food play.” He was definitely interested in all the new textures, smells and tastes. He liked rubbing the firm fruits/veggies against his toothless gums, and he can “bite” off small pieces. His gag reflex worked well when small pieces found their way to the back of his tongue. Yes, I’m being very careful about choking prevention!
Sucking on an apple slice – January 26, 2015
Highlights:
- 1st 10.75 hour & 11 hour night time sleeps (1/21 to 1/22 and 1/23 to 1/24)
- 1st crib nap (1/23)
- 1st rollerblade using the 3-wheel stroller (Centennial Trail, 1/25)
- 1st trial spoon-feeding solid food (guacamole, 1/25)
- grabbing his loose bedding and pulling it over him (1/22)
- funny tongue protruding (see video)
- falling asleep at night without crying despite being wide awake
- started using medium flow nipples
- holding own bottle if reclined
- kicking at mattress in his crib (can hear him through the wall)
- new finger foods this week: apple, avocado, steamed broccoli, romaine leaves, spinach leaves, raw red pepper, raw celery.
Walk at Langus Riverfront Park & Spencer Island Regional Park – January 24, 2015
Rollerblading on the Centennial Trail – January 25, 2015
WEEK 24
On February 3rd, I heard some new scratching sounds coming from the baby monitor in the morning. My suspicion was correct: Todd had rolled himself onto his belly and was scratching at his sheets. When I walked in, he was also fingering the monitor (sitting in the corner). Time to move the monitor!
1st time on his belly in the crib – February 3, 2015
Highlights:
- 1st time rolling back-to-belly in his crib (2/3)
- I nicknamed him “thumper” because of his mattress kicking.
- Visit from Eric’s parents and our friend, Ellen (2/4)
- new finger foods this week: rotini pasta noodle, pancake, banana, pizza crust, yam
- spoon-fed pureed food: yam, banana, green smoothie
Munchin’ on a pancake – January 31, 2015
WEEK 25
We had a sad start to this week because our ~15 year old cat, Millie, died on Friday, February 6th. You can read about her in the previous post, Missing Millie.
Millie and Todd – February 6, 2015
Todd was getting noticeably way more active! He’s a high-energy guy, especially in the evenings. Here’s some new things in the “motor function” department this week:
- On his back, he started doing a “hip-wiggle-wiggle” marching thing, and one time he spun himself around in almost a complete circle while on his back. Imagine a clock hand going around!
- From his back, he very quickly rolls to his belly. From there, he can now spin ~90 degrees on his belly to reach for toys. He started doing a “pseudo-crawl” to propel forward.
- At the end of the week, he did more rolling from belly-to-back than he’s done in previous weeks. Now it’s more smooth and coordinated.
Food–
On February 5th, I gave Todd a sip of my green smoothie, and he wanted more, so I gave him a couple tablespoons from his own “cup” (a mini silicone pinch bowl). That started a regular habit of giving him green smoothie most mornings. He slurps while I pinch the sides. He loves it, and he tries to pull the bowl into his mouth with his hands. Our green smoothies contain kale or collard greens, banana, orange, avocado, celery, berries, tropical fruits (pineapple, mango) and pea protein powder.
Todd watches me closely from his ExerSaucer when I’m in the kitchen. He knows when I’m preparing his “formula milk” and gets visibly excited when he’s ready for some (he bounces up and down).
Slurping up green smoothie – February 7, 2015
Sleep– AKA…Transition to Tummy Sleeping!
- February 9…I put Todd to bed at 7:30 PM and he was wide awake. He quickly rolled to his tummy in his crib. “Oh, no,” I thought! When he fell asleep that way I was shocked! Two hours later, I heard him crying and I knew why. I turned him back over and he slept on his back for the rest of the night.
- February 10th…I put Todd to bed at 8 PM and he immediately rolled to his tummy. I put him on his back again, then he fell asleep. He woke up at 2:45 AM and he was on his tummy again. I fed him and he returned to sleep on his back.
- February 11th…I put Todd to bed at 7:30 PM and he was actually asleep for a change. He woke up crying at 2:30 AM. This time, he was on his tummy with his head in the corner. There were some red abrasions on his head from the crib rails. After I fed him, I put him on his back. Within just a couple minutes, he turned onto his tummy AND got himself facing the opposite direction! He was picking at the loose edge of his sheet where his feet normally would be. I put him on the floor so I could fix his sheets. Within minutes on the floor he rolled from back-to-belly and then belly-to-back. It took until 4 AM to get us both back in our beds.
- February 12th…I padded Todd’s crib so that he wouldn’t create more abrasions on his head. (Previously, the rails were lined with just a thin mesh crib liner). I did a pretty good DYI job, using some old folded bath towels.
Todd’s Padded Room – February 12, 2015
That evening, we went to our condo in Wenatchee and I lowered the “mattress” in the Pack ‘N Play travel bed. Todd went right to sleep at 10:30 PM, but he woke up crying an hour later. Sure enough, he’d wiggled himself into the corner. I fed him and he fell asleep on his tummy. At 3:45 AM, he wasn’t crying but it sounded like he was struggling. Head in the corner again! I moved him to the center and he fell asleep.
Highlights:
- 1st tummy sleeping (2/9)
- Visit at Eric’s parents house (2/10)
- gets more distracted by his feet/socks (or other items) while sitting on the toilet
- new mouth/tongue sucking thing he kept doing
- “hip wiggle wiggle” on back (see video below)
- pseudo crawling to propel forward
- more rolling belly-to-back, more smoothly and coordinated
- tries to do a sit-up when on his back
- new finger foods this week: pancake (made with wheat flour, cornmeal, pumpkin), Baby Mum Mum cracker
- new spoon-fed pureed food this week: taste of lentil/tomato soup broth, baked beans
WEEK 26 (AND PART OF 27)
It IS still ski season, although there isn’t much snow…
Todd & Eric at Mission Ridge – February 13, 2015
This week Todd settled into his tummy sleeping routine. Now, I don’t have to “rescue” him, for the most part. He’s often seen sleeping with knees drawn up underneath him…so cute!
Sleeping in the Pack ‘n Play travel bed – February 15, 2015
Sitting in his FIsher Price chair – February 15, 2015
At our condo, the papasan chair is a favorite! He loves being assisted to stand up against the side “wall,” then tries to let go, and falls backward. It’s been a great chair to have because he can also sit and play in it while we fix meals and such.
More “firsts” in motor function this week:
- Todd got up on hands-and-knees from his belly for the first time.
- From sitting, Todd can now reach way out in front for things, and he did his first transition (in control) from sitting-to-belly when reaching for a toy.
- Todd stood for a full 4 seconds completely balanced and without any support. He likes to practice standing using the “rails” of his play mat. He needs help to get “placed” but then we let go. Then, he lets go with one hand and then the other.
- From hands-and-knees, Todd pulled his left knee and foot way under him for the first time (February 20th).
- Briefly presses up into a “plank,” from belly.
Hands & Knees – February 19, 2015
On February 18th, Todd had his 6 month pediatrician check-up, including receiving his 6 month vaccines. Todd was 15 pounds, 6.5 ounces (14th percentile), 26″ long (25th percentile), and head circumference 42.5 cm (27th percentile). Growth in all areas picked up since the last visit!
The doctor said to start feeding solids twice a day and that no food is off limits (from an allergy standpoint), if properly prepared. (Honey is the exception but we don’t eat honey!)
Closing out the 6th month in style–> Todd has been on a roll with pooping in the toilet. There were ZERO poopy diapers for the entire month! As I complete this post (on February 23rd), it’s been 39 days in a row and we’re still counting. The last poopy diaper was January 15th! The little bit of solid food that Todd’s been eating hasn’t changed the consistency, although the color (of the digested green smoothie) is noticeably darker.
Highlights:
- 1st time getting up on hands and knees (2/15)
- 1st time going from sitting-to-belly (2/16)
- 1st “crawl” from one end of the couch to the other (2/16)
- 1st standing without any support and completely balanced (for 4-seconds, 2/16)
- Record sleep, 11.25 hrs (2/18 to 2/19)
- got startled when he tooted on the toilet…haha! (2/20)
- pooping in the toilet for the whole month
- examines fingertips of both hands and touches them together, etc
- making sounds: “bom,” ba” and “ma ma”
- lots of smiles and giggles
- wearing 6 and 9 month clothes
- very driven/motivated to challenge himself; likes to show off
- now prefers to be on his tummy rather than his back, because he’s more mobile that way
- new finger foods this week: pancake (made with wheat and oat flours, applesauce, almond butter), vegan burger patty (from Costco)
- new spoon-fed pureed food this week: sweet potato, peas
- 1st time using the Fisher Price Healthy Care™ Booster Seat (2/13)
6 Months Old – February 21, 2015
Todd at 4.5 months old – January 5, 2015
FIFTH MONTH (DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 21)
WEEK 18 (Partial Week)
Todd started his fifth month by having a breakthrough in his sitting balance abilities. Prior to this week, I could let go of Todd in unsupported sitting for only a few seconds at a time. On December 22nd, I was able to let go for 30 seconds, 50 seconds and 75 seconds. On December 23rd, Todd sat unsupported for 1.5 minutes. Something just clicked for him!
On the 23rd, I was helping Todd open up a present from Eric’s mom (“Grammie”). I don’t know if it was the gift (a LeapFrog “lap pup”) or the cute Santa paper, but Todd suddenly burst out giggling/laughing. He did it 3x…so cute! The last time (the 1st time) we heard him spontaneously giggle was November 17th. Eric and Eli (Todd’s cousin) were able to provoke more giggles on December 24th (and after).
Coffee break on the way to Oregon – December 24, 2014
On Christmas Eve, we drove to Bend, Oregon for an extended family visit. Todd met my aunt Elaine & uncle Jeff and my sister’s parents (“Nana & Grampy”) for the first time that evening. I cried on Christmas day when I looked at the hand-sewn alphabet book that my aunt made for Todd. She put so much love and work into it! We will treasure it forever.
Todd with his grandpa – December 24, 2014
Todd with his great aunt Elaine – December 24, 2014
Todd’s ABC Book from Aunt Elaine
Sample page from the ABC book. Every page so creatively planned and expertly sewn!
Todd’s “main” Christmas gift was an Evenflo ExerSaucer® Beach Baby Saucer. He also got his first baby doll, several books, toys and clothes. I’m thankful for my generous family!
Todd in his new ExerSaucer – December 25, 2014
Highlights–
- 1st unsupported sitting for 30 seconds & longer (12/22)
- 2nd spontaneous giggle/laugh (3x – 12/23)
- 1st time using potty seat in public restroom, at my sister’s house and my parent’s house (12/24)
- 1st time meeting great aunt Elaine & great uncle Jeff (12/24)
- 1st Christmas (12/25)
- getting very “wriggly”
- arches back in bouncy seat
- holding onto both feet with hands
- tried bringing his toes to his mouth
WEEK 19
In Bend, Todd’s sleep routine was upset because his overall daily routine was different. Duh– I’m stating the obvious, right? Todd resisted sleeping in the Pack ‘n Play travel bed. For the first 4 nights, we didn’t fight him and he ended up sleeping at least part of each night in the swing or car seat.
On the 5th night (December 28th), I put my foot down because I really want him to learn that the bed is the bed at night time! So– after he was fed, burped, diapered, etc., and after I picked him up twice, I finally Iet him “cry it out.” It took about 30 minutes of crying before he finally slept. On subsequent nights (4 more), he went to bed without much trouble.
In Bend, we cross country skied 3 times (at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park). On December 28th, Eric and I took turns watching Todd. On December 29th, my parents babysat Todd in the ski shelter. Eric and I got to ski together for the first time this season…Yay! On January 31st, my mom babysat Todd at the house while we went skiing. On January 1st, my sister watched Todd while we did a short snow hike along the Deschutes River.
Highlights–
- 1st scrape (forehead bled when he fell forward and hit a Lego piece – 12/26)
- Tough love “Pack ‘n Play Training” (12/28)
- 1st times leaving Todd with a “babysitter” (12/29, 12/31 & 1/1)
- after being propped, sits unsupported with more confidence…i.e. he moves his arms and legs and “rocks” himself…until he falls over.
Eric & Todd playing in the snow at Meissner – December 28, 2014
Cross country skiing at Meissner – December 29, 2014
Cross country skiing at Meissner – December 31, 2014
Snow hike along the Deschutes River – January 1, 2015
WEEK 20
We drove home on January 2nd. That morning, we found Todd sleeping on his side in the travel bed. Leading up to this day, Todd seemed increasingly frustrated by having his legs “trapped” inside the sleep sack. That night, I started dressing him in footed sleepers for bed. He proceeded to sleep for a record 10-hour stretch!
On his side in the travel bed – January 2, 2015
We stopped at a Chipotle Grill for lunch on January 2nd. Inside the restaurant, I sat Todd on my lap while I ate most of my Sofritas salad. Then it occurred to me that he could probably sit up safely in one of the high chairs, with close supervision. Todd looked pretty proud of himself sitting up like a big boy!
1st time sitting in a high chair – Chipotle Grill – January 2, 2015
At home, on January 3rd, we tested our own high chair. Eric tried feeding Todd some formula with a new spoon that Todd got for Christmas. It was cute to see Todd’s reaction. At least one time he actually sipped and swallowed.
On January 6th, Todd saw the pediatrician for his 4-month check-up. He was 13 pounds, 6 ounces, 24.6″ tall and had a 41 cm head circumference. His growth trends have remained unchanged since the 2 month appointment, except that his height is up 2 percentiles. (Weight = 6th percentile. Height = 12th percentile. Head circumference = 18th percentile.)
Todd was given the same vaccines as the 2-month appointment, and he only cried for a few seconds.
This week Todd started making a variety of sounds. For a few consecutive days, he literally seemed to practice a different sound every day. It’s fascinating to witness his language development!
Highlights–
- No more sleep sacks. Started wearing footed sleepers to bed (1/2)
- 1st 10-hour sleep stretch (1/2 to 1/3)
- 1st time sitting in a high chair (Chipotle Mexican Grill – 1/2)
- 1st time being spoon fed (formula – 1/3)
- Moved swing from living room to bedroom for naps (1/4)
- 1st time visiting family at Eric’s parents’ house (1/4)
- 2 fast rolls from belly-to-back (1/5). (He still doesn’t roll belly-to-back very often.)
- 4-month pediatrician appointment (1/6)
- making distinct “m” sounds with lips pursed together
- making “b” sounds
- sticking tongue out and/or blowing spit (and grinning about it)
- making “squeak” sounds and squealing
January 4th audio clip, “m” sounds:
January 5th audio clip, “spit blowing”:
January 7th audio clip, “squeaks”:
3 Generations – January 4, 2015
WEEK 21
On January 10th, we took Todd on a short hike to the Big Four Ice Caves. He seemed to enjoy his first trail ride in the 3-wheel stroller and checking out the scenery (including the morons down in the cave).
Big Four Ice Caves – January 10, 2015
Big Four Ice Caves Trail – January 10, 2015
This week, I decided it was time to get a library book and DVD on baby sign language. On January 12th, I started learning signs and teaching them to Todd (and Eric).
Here are some of the signs we’ve used so far: mama, dada, “formula milk,” eat, toilet/bathroom, diaper, love, more, “all done,” bird, frog, cat, fish, monkey, animal, ball, book, car, snow and apple.
This is a good website resource: Baby Sign Language. Highlights–
- 1st giggle provoked by mama (1/9)
- 1st time using the 3-wheel stroller on a hiking trail (Big Four Ice Caves – 1/10)
- 1st 10.25 hr sleep stretch (1/12 to 1/13)
- making “growl” sounds
- making sounds: “om-pa” & “up”
- silently opening and closing his mouth & “mouthing” sounds: “ma”
- waking up “chatting” to himself in his crib in the mornings
January 11th video clip:
WEEK 22 (Partial Week)
On January 16th, we went to our condo in Wenatchee once again for a ski weekend. I’m pleased to report that Todd slept in his Pack ‘n Play travel bed without a struggle: On the 16th he cried for just a couple minutes and on the 17th he went to sleep without any crying. Phew!
Both days at the ski area, we put Todd in the day care for a couple hours. He did just fine and Eric and I got to ski together. Win-win! Highlights–
- 1st time in formal “daycare” (Mission Ridge Childcare – 1/16, 1/17)
- “accidental” quick belly-to-back roll (1/18)
- making sounds: “ba”
January 20th audio clip, “baba”:
FIFTH MONTH WRAP-UP
Sleep–
After we got back home from our Christmas holiday in Oregon, Todd had a span of 7 out of 9 nights when he’d wake up crying/hungry after only being in his crib for ~2.5 hours. Just as I started getting used to this “11 PM Wake-up,” it suddenly stopped.
Todd closed out his fifth month with a super awesome night time sleep pattern. On January 12th, Todd started a record, 9-day stretch (and we’re still counting…crossing fingers!) of sleeping from the ~8 PM hour to the ~5/6 AM hour without interruption (8.25 hr minimum per night and 9 hr average per night).
Since I’m an “early to bed, early to rise” person, I go to bed shortly after Todd does. Seriously– I’ve never felt more rested in my adult life! And it is nice that Todd wakes up before Eric leaves for work so that they can spend at least a few precious moments together in the morning.
Daytime naps take place in the swing (at home) or car seat (away from home). The morning nap is the more predictable, longer nap (up to 3 hours). The afternoon nap is shorter and really unpredictable. Sometimes Todd “decides” he doesn’t need it. To his credit, if he declines his second nap, he usually stays pleasant and then he zonks out real quick when it’s time for night night!
Ready for bed – January 2, 2015
Toileting–
There’s not much new to report regarding Todd’s toileting. We continue to “potty” him on the toilet throughout each day. This month, he peed up to 10x per day in the toilet (average ~6x per day). Occasionally he pees on me, on the way to the toilet!
Todd pooped in the toilet on most days. There were 13 “misses.” That includes a few times that he went a little bit in the diaper and then finished in the toilet. For 3 mornings in a row (1/3, 1/4 & 1/5), Todd woke up with messy poopy diapers, which was very unusual. Fortunately, that didn’t last! As I’ve mentioned before, his soy formula poops are typically formed “logs.” A couple days recently, Todd had a couple “pudding poops,” and he did have his first legitimate “blow-out” on January 15th. Fun stuff, huh?
Todd has shown that he is comfortable going “pee-pee” or “poo-poo” in toilets in a wide variety of locations (public restrooms, family’s homes, and friends’ homes). In fact, the “tide turned” during the Seahawks playoff game on January 18th right when Todd did a big poop in our ski friend Scott’s toilet…haha! AKA “Todd’s Magic Poop.”
As of month’s end, Todd is transitioning into size 3 disposable diapers for night time. He’s wearing mostly 6-month size clothes. Some 3-month clothes still fit but they won’t for much longer.
Physical Skills–
Presently, Todd prefers to sit and play on the floor or stand and play in his ExerSaucer. He can sit unsupported with close supervision and stay balanced for several minutes at a time. He can maintain his balance a lot of the time even when he turns his head, looks up, moves his arms and legs, rocks himself, and reaches out for toys. Of course, once he does lose his balance he can’t stop himself from falling over fast (usually backward).
Todd tolerates some tummy time but that’s about it! He can press up with arms extended and hold his head up vertically. He can roll both ways but he doesn’t roll every day.
Playing in Todd’s bedroom – January 13, 2015
Todd actively seeks out anything he can put in his mouth. If I read a book to him, I make sure he has a toy in hand or else he tries to suck the pages. When I put him in his bouncy seat, I make sure he has a toy to hold. When I put him in his swing for naps, I give him a toy to play with before he falls asleep. He sucks on any part of his clothing (or mine) that becomes accessible to him. If I put a bib on Todd, he just gathers it up and puts it in his mouth (I don’t use them much for that reason). He sucks on his “face wiper” washcloths.
With his hands, he tries to “pick” the prints off fabrics. He tries to pick the moles off my arm. He grabs at my hair (ouch!). He’s starting to be able to hold his own bottle.
January 16, 2015
Feeding–
Todd drinks ~4-8 oz of organic soy formula at a time, totaling ~30-34 oz per day. We’re looking forward to introducing solid foods in another month. He seems to be getting interested in our food. That’s all for now!
Snuggle pile – January 19, 2015
Freeheel Vegan 