On To Undies!

I have exciting news in the ECing arena!  But pictures of that just aren't, well, internet appropriate.  So, I thought I'd share photos of our trip to Illinois earlier this month and let you use your imagination to fill in any blanks (or not, if baby poop isn't your thing...).

Swimming in GG and PaPa's pool!

So the exciting news---- Tye has been in underwear for over a month now!  I have to admit, I would love to share photos of Tye in her undies.  She just looks so cute running around in pink or green briefs!    

"I flying like a bird!" with Coach

 Just to catch everyone up to date: we used Elimination Communication with Tye from about 3 months.  While she was never diaper-free as a baby, she almost immediately began to only have bowel movements in her potty (the only exceptions were bouts of diarrhea).  We continued with ECing into toddlerhood and last summer, even spent a couple weeks sans diapers at home until Tye suddenly decided she really wanted to wear a diaper.  Once she realized she didn't have to stop playing to go potty in her diaper, that was it.  She still only pooped on the toilet and would pee every time she sat, but she wouldn't interrupt play to use the bathroom, and we stayed in that pattern until this spring. (For our entire EC journey, catch up here.)

Etta and GG, readyt to swim

The recent transition to underwear was so smooth and gentle that we don't have a set date of transition.  Since April-ish, Tye has been proudly wearing underwear at home, no exceptions, and diapers only when out of the house.  In early June, we went full-time undies and Tye barely batted an eyelash.  

On 100+ degree days, ice pops are highly preferred over regular parade candy.

 I still have to remind Tye to use the bathroom when playing with friends or when out of the house, and we still use overnight diapers just in case (though she has only wet one in the past several weeks!).  Our biggest accomplishment was our trip to Illinois, during which Tye stayed dry through all kinds of excitement and even on our long road trip!  We had just one accident all 10 days.  Of course, it was on an upholstered couch, but in all fairness, Tye hadn't been prompted to go in a couple hours (yup, it was a big wet spot- sorry, GG!).  

"Whoa!  A parade!  So much to see!"

We're also using EC with Etta, who is doing her best to communicate with us when she needs to go.   When we hold Etta to go, she always eliminates- but she poops so frequently (at least once a day, unlike Tye's once a week routine at this age) that we don't catch all of them yet.  Recently, I've been having a difficult time distinguishing between her "I need to poop" grunts and her "I am trying my hardest to crawl/reach this toy/remind you I'm here" grunts. I'm totally happy with our ECing progress with Etta.  I just really hope that we can figure out a way to communicate clearly before she really takes to eating solids!

Yesterday seemed to sum up our current pottying state pretty well.  While at the park with friends, both Tye and Etta peed on a tree.  How's that for a mental picture?  Of course, I also carry with us a full change of clothes for each.  We're good, but we're also prepared.  

Mama with "bowf girls"

6 Month Stats

Look at me!!! I'm now 26.5 inches long and up to 15 pounds. The doctor said I'm way ahead developmentally, with my awesome ability to transfer objects from hand to hand and all. Then she saw me sitting and declared I sit with the skills of a 9 month old. She really knows how to make Mama feel good. Of course, I'm already a pro at that, too.

Tye's thoughts on coconut water

Ever wondered what breastmilk tastes like? According to Tye, it tastes like coconut water- so much so that she calls coconut water "milk" when requesting the cartons at corner bodegas. Just more evidence that breastmilk is sweet stuff.

To Etta, at 6 Months

Dear Etta,


Happy half birthday!  I am really having a hard time comprehending how in the world six months have passed since your birth.  Six months!!!  All I have to do is look at you to be reminded it's true.  You are sitting independently (minus the occasional tip sideways).  You grab for everything in sight, especially items you see us using frequently, like our phones and utensils.  Once you have a hold of an item, you don't just shove it in your mouth; you transfer it from hand to hand as you inspect it, rotate it, inspect it some more, taste it a little, and inspect it again.  Whenever you end up lying on your back, your chunky toes are immediately shoved into your mouth.  You're experimenting with your voice, discovering it's abilities and making your presence known to the world.  By far my favorite development is your new ability to reach for me and then wrap your chubby arms around me as I hold you close.  You melt my heart.  

As you grow, you and Tye are becoming closer and enjoying each other more with each day.  Most mornings, you sleep in later than the rest of the family.  When you wake and begin to happily play with your toes or the bed sheets, I let Tye know you're awake, to which she responds excitedly, "Etta awake!  My little sister awake!" Then she runs into the bedroom and jumps into the big bed to say "Good morning, Etta!" and gives you kisses.  A kissy cuddlefest ensues with the two of you beaming and giggling, setting the tone for the rest of our day together.  

The other day as you sat in the grass while Tye was swinging, you turned your head side to side to follow your big sister in the swing as she went back and forth.  One of your favorite games to play together is for Tye to dress up in her finest princess apparel and run from the front of the house to the back while you sit along her path like a race spectator.  Every time she passes, you turn your head quickly to follow her and your face lights up in a huge smile.  The other favorite sister pastime is giggling.  First, you squeal happily, which sends Tye into hysterical laughter, which then causes you to squeal in delight, and the cycle continues.  I suppose as a mother of two girls I have years of this ahead of me, but I still feel like I can't get enough of it.  


You've now experienced your first dip in a summer pool, your first roadtrip to visit family in Illinois, your first Fourth of July fireworks, and your first time in a swing; and I know the firsts are going to keep coming in rapid succession.  After all, six months is the recommended age at which a child can be introduced to solid foods- a thought that nearly sends me into shock.  My baby is old enough to eat real foods?!?  In reality, I don't expect you to be eating any time soon- you still have to practice your pincer grasp and lose your tongue thrust reflex, two prerequisite skills for solid food feeding.  But you're close, and you're interested.  It won't be long before I'll be posting photos of you covered in avocado and sweet potato.  For now, I'm cherishing these last days of exclusive breastfeeding and proudly reveling in the idea that those rolly-polly thighs and chubby arm creases came from God's perfect food for you- me.  


Here I am again, Etta, wishing each moment would last a little longer, each second stretch into just a few more.  I'm absolutely looking forward to the future- seeing you crawl and walk, and hearing your voice-  I just wish sometimes that it would come a little more slowly.  One day you'll understand.  Until then, forgive me while I shower you in kisses and breathe in your sweetness every chance I have.  I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.


Love, 
Mama

My Morning Girls

Snip, Snip... Sniff, Sniff

Today was a big day in our home- a day we weren't sure would ever arrive.... Tye's first haircut!    I had mentioned to Tye several times that we may cut her hair soon, and she didn't ever show much interest until this morning.  I brought it up because the past two days, she has worn her hair in a braid to be like Mommy.  She loved this braid and showed it proudly to everyone she knew, from Daddy to her music teacher to her friends. 

Isn't that a sweet braid? But... it looks a little rat-tailish, especially after a few hours of play.

So this morning, when Tye showed interest, I searched for a video on YouTube about cutting girl's hair.  I found this gem, which Tye and I watched together.

I pointed out how the girl is smiling and happy, how she sits still, and how only the mom cuts the hair.  After the video, Tye was super excited and asked to cut her hair.  So we did.

Play silk + binder clip = perfect cape

It isn't perfect (it was hard with her curls!) but it was free, thanks to YouTube, and I love the way it curls evenly now (even more after a few hours in the humid heat).  As I cut Tye's hair, I had no problem.  But as soon as it was gone, I missed Tye's signature mullet and suddenly realized that I had just cut off the hair that she'd had all her life- since she was in my belly.  Wow.  It became a very sentimental event for me- so much so that Tye finally told me to stop touching her hair.  I miss her single long ringlet running down her back.  I feel a bit like I cut off part of her babyness.  Sigh.

The good news is that Tye is proud of her haircut, and like any hair cut, it will grow again- and I'll see her longer ringlet curls again.  And, I think it is still long enough to braid like Mommy's.

To Etta, at 5 months

Dear Etta,


My little baby is five months old today!  You are now affectionately well-known by everyone as the "chill," "quiet," "relaxed," "happy" baby.  Just today, as we walked around the park- you in the carrier- with a neighbor, she exclaimed, "Wow, Etta is so quiet!  I completely forgot she was there!"  


But don't worry- I don't forget.  You get lots- and lots- and LOTS of kisses from me, all day long. You receive so many kisses that you already know how to exchange them!  When I hold you in front of me and pucker my lips, you lean in with your face towards mine.  Some day far away, you'll learn to close your mouth when you do that, but for now, it's so super sweet that my heart just explodes with each drooly smooch.  You seem to be learning how to hug, too.  I know it's a natural protective instinct for you to want to hold on to us tightly, but now that you can control your arms a bit better, you clearly try to wrap them around our necks, especially when you're excited about seeing us.  Tye might receive most of those hugs, actually.  What a lucky sister.


You are now really good at holding toys and grabbing.  Everything.  I'm still caught off guard occasionally as you reach for my mug of (warm, not hot) coffee, or the keys in my hand.  Your favorite toys so far are your Sophie the Giraffe for chewing and the crinkly felt square that makes crunchy-paper noises when you squish it.  When you sit on my lap while I'm on the computer, you now reach for the keys and often hit the space or arrow buttons for me.  Before I know it, you'll be typing whole emails.


As for other milestones, you're racking them up.  Not only are you rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy, but you're also starting to sit on your own.  You're only sitting for a few seconds at a time, but you are just about done with your little green rocking chair.  Today, Tye and I watched as you sat up from the reclined position in your chair, reaching for your polka-dotted socks.  This past week, your feet have finally captured your attention.  They haven't quite made it into your mouth yet, but that's just a matter of days (if not minutes).  


Your hair is thinning and lightening a little bit.  Your sweet, cubby face is maturing and no longer looks like a newborn's.  You sleep less during the day- not a bad thing, but when you're in the carrier and your head finally rests on my chest and you snuggle in a little closer to me, that feeling is even more precious now.  Oh, how I cherish my time with you.  Happy five months, little Etta.  I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.


Love,
Mama