Vivi: Twenty-Two Weeks

I've been 100% dairy free since Monday. It's not so bad except I'd be much more psyched for my salad if there was cheese involved.  Obviously....cause....CHEESE.

I decided to go completely dairy free even though I don't really have to because I want to see if there's truly a difference in Vivi's health.  Plus, I want to make sure there aren't any other hidden allergens lurking.  Otherwise I'd blame every side effect on dairy when it could really be dairy and wheat for example  Please no.  Just.  No.  

So far, I don't see much of a difference in Vivi, but I'm told it takes a while to get results.  All those dairy proteins are still mooing wildly through our bodies at this point.  Apparently it can take a whole month to tame those cows.

Meanwhile, I'm the mom who obsesses over her child's poop.  Last week, after the great formula incident, Vivi was a little too regular.  But now? We're going on eight days.  This isn't really unusual as Vivi has always been a once-a-week-er, but I'm anxious to see what it looks like after changing my diet the past few days.  I know, I don't like myself either when I'm like this.  It's not a pretty picture.  It's gonna be epic when it finally does happen though.  Toats ma goats.

In other news, Vivi is developing a sense of humor.  Vivi has been a serious baby through her life thus far.  Her facial expressions and general demeanor remind me of a little scientist earnestly studying the mysteries of the world. This week, however, she's exhibiting the sillies.  

She laughs a lot.  She likes it when I make funny voices and shake my head.  She gets that we're playing a game and will start smiling and wiggling before I even start tickling her.  Her screams of glee sound just like Madeline's.   It's pretty awesome.    

The girl is also very grabby.  She can yank on a chunk of hair like it's a competitive sport.  Ouch!  She has pulled an entire plate of food onto my lap.  She tweaks Madeline's nose and claws at her cheeks.  I have to be careful when changing her diaper because she will grab for the diapers, wipes, and cream like they are snacks.  No, no.  We don't eat our dirty diapers, thank you.  

I gave her a bit of banana this week.  She loved it!  She growled with pleasure, lunged at the spoon, and tried to pull the bowl out of my hands.  Then she took a three-hour nap.  She was just so satisfied.  The poor girl still nurses every two hours, has a dairy allergy, and is a skinny little thing, so I often feel like my breast milk is just not enough for her.

We've been practicing sitting up independently.  When Maddie was a baby, Eric just kept propping her up and letting her fall over till she figured it out.  I didn't like it at the time, but then I came home from work one day to find Madeline sitting on our bed smiling at me while Eric sat in a chair next to her playing video games.  So now, we're following the same method with Vivi!  I sit her up on my bed, she balances for a few moments, then topples over.  Madeline thinks it's hilarious, and Vivi is really close to sitting unsupported.

Sleep is better, but still touch and go.  She's sleeping through the night more often, but a few times a week she wakes up to eat constantly.  Getting her down is still rough.  Girl has lungs and a temper.

We'll be moving her from our room into the girls' room soon.  My mind boggles at the idea of this.  I can't imagine how we will get our two girls to sleep in the same room successfully with any of us getting any kind of sleep.  Madeline still sings herself to sleep most nights, and Vivi is a light sleeper.  Plus, Vivi's bedtime is a full hour before Madeline's.  Usually just as Vivi is falling asleep, Madeline is heading up to bed. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great.

We love you, Little Viv.  My heart literally aches when you smile at me first thing in the morning.  You're such a treasure.