Esther @ 5 Months

My sweet little girl is another month older! She's such a cute little thing. I went out and bought her some clothes for summer lately and went up to 9-month. Hopefully that will hold her for most of the season...if it ever stays warm. Girl clothes are so much cuter than boy clothes! And there's more options. I'm going to avoid straight t-shirts and shorts for a while, I think!

Esther had her first Easter! Again...girl clothes are super cute! Her dress was adorable. She did pretty well getting passed around at Mynaw's house. Can I just say...it's funny to see Uncle Joel voluntarily hold a baby now when he was so nervous to hold Isaiah after he was born! Granted, newborns are not the same as a 4-month old...but I often remember Joel's comment of "I will crush him with my man strength" when I see him holding a baby.

Also, btw, completely missed Purim. Not that I've ever celebrated it, but it's the holiday celebrating the story of Queen Esther and how she saved the Jews. "For such a time as this...." and all that. (It's in the Bible, people!)

Little girl is still exclusively nursing. In fact, she will not take a bottle. I've tried...especially since the pediatrician keeps pushing us with the vitamin D, but it's just a no go. Even if someone else has the bottle (sorry Becca and AnnMarie!). I'm actually hoping I don't get a job until she can eat regular food and/or drink from a sippy cup. That will save a lot of tears when she has to start daycare. (There will be enough when I have to leave her...from both of us!)

She is starting to get super interested in what I'm eating. I've let her try a few things...oranges, apples, eggrolls, etc. You know, stuff she really seems to want. She pretty much just sucks on everything still so I'm not quite to where I'm going out of my way to feed her. Probably going to start that pretty soon though. I'm just going to do the BLW (I think it's called?) where I give her what we're eating. It worked really well with Micah! He will try about anything and eats a larger variety than Isaiah (who had jarred baby food). 

Esther has made some big strides in the past month. She's sitting longer and longer every day. Oh, it makes her SO happy to be able to see what everyone else is doing! Laying down / leaning back is no longer okay...usually it means instant tears! The walker and jumper are now our best friends. Actually, she will stay in her jumper for a good while most days, making it easier to fold laundry or make dinner. It also means she can participate in some things with her brothers.

Then, this happened recently. Yup, STANDING by herself! The picture is super blurry because she wasn't still and I was incredibly nervous she would topple over and hurt herself. But, she did it! Esther's been practicing walking too! Giant steps, lifting her little knees to her waist...it's hilarious! She will walk across the house (which is about all my back can manage) holding on to my fingers and taking those big, high steps. I've had one prediction  that she will be walking on her own by 7 months. We shall see.

Still nothing on the teeth front. They're coming...they HAVE to be. Her eyes, nose and mouth are all running. Ahh! But,  the pediatrician said what I thought were teeth are actually gum cysts (which babies can get and should go away on their own). Didn't know such a thing existed.

So, a lot going on for my little bit. Onward to six months!