This little angel turned six months old about two weeks ago.
Mother’s Day to be exact.
We did a little photoshoot that day and I couldn’t bring myself to share her photos until now. Why? Because that day confirmed for me all suspicions that something was not quite right. My sweet baby girl was way too thin and it scared me. It also shook me and any confidence I had as her mom.
How did I not notice until she was SO tiny? Why did I not see that she was growing only length wise? As moms we always blame ourselves, right? In this case, I do still blame myself despite being told and understanding that much of it was beyond my control.
After my surgery, I didn’t have the energy to stay on top of pumping or nursing and I didn’t realize my milk supply had suffered. I’ve never had supply issues in the past. Ever. In fact, I had oversupply issues that led to much discomfort with the boys. I believe I did my best, but it still upsets me to know that Naomi suffered. I know it’s a lesson learned and everything will be okay. I’m not sitting down, writing this tonight in order to rehash the experience (I’ve done enough of that), but just to note that it happened and move on.
As of this week, I can safely say, our baby girl is getting stronger and plumper everyday. Thank The Lord! Her weight check on Wednesday afternoon confirmed that she’s gained an ounce a day since Mother’s Day weekend. I praise God for providing. He is so faithful! God brought my awareness to the problem in time and my prayers were answered.
I can now look forward at her growth with hope and joy, knowing that her 7 month photos will be much less scary.
The rest of her 6 months photos were taken a few days later, after I started pumping and supplementing to make sure she was getting enough:
Isn’t it amazing to see the changes from month to month? Especially looking at the 1 month and 6 month side by side. It’s going so fast! It kind of feels like, I’ll blink and it’ll be her first birthday.
Let’s see, what else is new this month?
- Solids. She’s showing more interest in food every day. She’s not a huge fan of sweet foods, but she loves meat and more savory foods. She especially likes small pieces of food she can chew with her SIX teeth.
- Teeth! The first four came in last month, but two more popped out over the past few weeks. OUCH! She’s biting everything and she bites well.
- She sits pretty well, but she’s still a little wobbly. I think that will improve as we get some meat on her bones.
She’s interested in touching and feeling pretty much everything. She finds hair and shirts with patterns fascinating.
Her happy and content nature amazes me every day. She’s our perfect little Nonny.
Sometimes when people tell me to trust my momma gut, I feel like it’s just more pressure, one more thing to get right. Sometimes we’re just not sure! We’re with them every day, and gradual changes might make us pause or it might not. You’re doing a great job and you made the right decision 🙂
You’re so right. I think part of the reason I was so upset was that I dismissed my mama gut several times because I thought maybe I was over-thinking it. I wish I had acted sooner, but there have been times when my mama gut misled me, too. It’s absolutely the hardest job to do because each child is so different and there are no absolutes. Thank you so much for the encouragement! 🙂