This month has been the most fun month so far and also the hardest. Most fun because she’s learning so much and developing and meeting milestones (and it’s so exciting to watch it all) and difficult because we are going through the dreaded “four month sleep regression.”
Watching your baby grow and develop is more amazing than I ever thought it would be. One morning when Harper was about three and a half months old she was hanging out in her Pack N’ Play in our room right after a diaper change and suddenly I looked over and she was holding both of her feet in her hands. She had found her feet! I yelled to Kevin and we both just watched her as he happily held her feet and smiled at us.
Speaking of smiles—we’re seeing a lot of them these days and getting little (and big!) laughs too. It’s the most incredible feeling to experience your baby responding to you and really developing a little personality.
Having said all of that, this month has been tough because at 3.5 months Harper went from sleeping through the night to waking up at random times all throughout the night (which, as working parents, is a little bit of an adjustment- when I was at home with her at least I could nap when she did). We would sometimes feed her a couple of ounces if holding her wasn’t working but even if we fed her she would still wake up an hour or two later. We knew she wasn’t really hungry because she eats between 30-35 ounces per day but it seems like “The Wonder Years” is right and this is just a stage most babies go through around this time. Dear sleep regression, we are over you.
We have a bedtime routine which I do think helps with her sleep, but we know this is just sort of a bump in the road and she’ll get back into better sleep habits soon (we’re praying!) I’ve been fortunate that Kevin has really taken on a good share of the night wakings—he functions better on less sleep than I do. I’m not sure if it’s the pumping making me really tired or what, but I’ve just been going to bed early most nights. Sometimes I even sleep for an hour or two right when I put Harper down just to cram in some extra sleep before I have to pump one last time (usually around 10:30 p.m.)
Last month I shared my fears and sadness about going back to work, but being back at work for over a month now has made me realize just how much I really do love my job. I thought I would feel horrible going into work everyday, but I honestly haven’t. I miss Harper like crazy and I have “mommy guilt” out the whazoo, but I love what I do and the people/families I work with and that makes my days go by pretty quickly and brings me a sense of fulfillment. I don’t talk about my job a lot on my blog but I’m planning a post about it soon because I get so many questions about what I do, what an average day looks like, etc, so I’d love to share that because I’m very proud of the work I’m privileged to do.
We’ve been adjusting to daycare better too—Harper goes three days a week (but we pay for full time because they don’t have a 3-day option). On Thursdays her grandparents watch her all day and on Fridays my husband works from home and stays with her (it’s so nice that they have that extra time together—I’m jealous!) If he ever has a super jam-packed schedule on a Friday we always have the option of taking her to daycare that day (and we’ve done that). She is doing well at daycare—when I pick her up she seems happy and she takes good naps there. She’s in a smaller class right now—only 6 babies to two teachers so it’s nice. They do age-appropriate activities with them and go on stroller rides and she seems to enjoy it there. She smiles at her teachers so that makes me feel good. I always spend a little extra time there in the morning and at pick-up so I can get to know her caretakers better too.
The one thing that’s tough is that she has been so stuffy since she started daycare. I literally have to suction her with the Nose Freida (which, BTW, is a Godsend) all day and night. Poor girl is just congested but not sick (no fever or anything). One of the lactation experts I work with told me to make sure I spend time in Harper’s daycare classroom so that I can be exposed to the same germs and my breast milk will develop antibodies to protect her. I had already been doing that so I hope it’s working…or that it will work…one day. Our pediatrician told us she will basically be stuffy until May so I’m not optimistic.
Here are Harper’s four month updates and photos:
Before she was exclusively getting breast milk, I feel that sometimes we would give formula in a pinch if she ever woke up at night and we needed something to feed her and didn’t have time to warm the milk/want to go downstairs to make a bottle. We were sleep deprived and it was easier. In the beginning when she wasn’t gaining weight appropriately formula was essential but then it kind of became a crutch (even though she never got more than one feeding a day of formula, two maximum, but that was rare). We’ve discovered that our little girl isn’t picky at all—she will drink breast milk at any temperature. I’m really close to meeting my first breastfeeding goal of 6 months (and by breastfeeding I mean Harper getting expressed milk, not actually at the breast) so I am really thrilled about that! My hope is that I can continue for a full year.
I remember that adjusting my morning routine to include daycare drop-off was really tough at first (like, I cried a few times). I became overwhelmed at all of the things I had to bring in addition to the baby and my work stuff/pumping stuff. It took us a week or so to get a good system in place to have everything ready to go and now it’s working out great. I think anytime you start a new routine it can be stressful. I wake up to pump at 5:30 a.m. every morning then Kevin feeds Harper at 6 or 6:30 a.m. while I shower and put some makeup on (sometimes I do her morning feeding if I don’t need to start work earlier). Then, we put Harper in her bouncy as we get dressed and finished getting ready and then we’re out the door (I do drop-off on my way to work).
Thank you for reading and I hope you’re having a great week so far! Before I go I want to give a quick shout-out to two mommy blogs I’ve been reading lately! Check out Hello Newlywed Life and Our Happy Days if you’re looking for some new reads!
Lynn says
Hi Veronica! Lovely photos and update! Thank you.
Caitlyn {Home Sweet Ruby} says
Harper is so precious and you are such a gorgeous momma!! It sounds like you have gotten a good schedule down, I don't have any kiddos yet but I always wondered what it would be like since I plan to go back to work after like you did. Harper is a lucky little girl!! 🙂
Heidi says
I love her gold headband! And clearly she's adorable, but I am ginger biased.
https://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com
Sara says
We're going through a sleep regression as well! My daughter started 3 weeks ago and it's still going strong 🙁 feels good to see I am not the only one! Good luck though, I hope it gets better soon!
Love reading these posts! I am only going back to work in March but I sometimes have anxiety about how I'm going to deal with getting ready, feeding my daughter, doing the daycare drop-off….. My boyfriend is there of course but we start at 7:30am so that'll be a challenge! I just like reading about others going through similar things!
Your pictures with Harper are so beautiful!
Sara
Life with Baby Sophia
Elysia says
I can't even tell you how great reading this post made me feel. My son is about a month younger than Harper (he's 3 months now) and I just returned back to work last week…..
I've also had a few crying sessions before work…. just the stress of getting everything together and the stuff that I have to lug back and forth with me, and getting everything in the car. It was overwhelming, still is some mornings. But I'm getting there. And it really did make me feel so good to know that I'm not the only one who has cried over something so silly (although at the time, it definitely does not feel silly!)
Francis says
Beautiful pictures and sorry about the lack of sleep. I definitely know what that's like! You both look gorgeous.
Meg O. says
Gosh she is just getting cuter and cuter!! What a doll baby!! That's nice that she is not in a full week of day care. It's kinda like how Kennedy goes 8:30-2:15. She isn't there a full day so it feels like we can see more of her. Sorry she's been a little stuffy – hope she gets to feeling better soon!
Macy says
Aww! She's so adorable! Love the pictures!! 🙂
Megan says
Those pictures of you and Harper are precious! You look so happy V, motherhood is treating you well 😉
Fingers crossed the sleep regression ends quickly! Sofia went through that too but only for a short time, I think sticking with our usual routine helped guide her. That's what us parents are right, life guides!? 🙂 🙂
Thanks for the shout-out, you are too kind girl!
Megan
Hello Newlywed Life Blog
Caroline says
I don't think I've ever seen you SO overjoyed, and I've been reading for quite awhile 🙂 So happy for you and your family, and Harper is PRECIOUS.
Nicole says
Congratulations on your breastfeeding goals! I had a lot of issues breastfeeding, so I know how difficult it all is. You are doing great!
Joan says
Congrats on meeting your breastfeeding goals! That's awesome!
averagegirl says
Hi V! Super long time reader..not a big commenter. I wanted to tell you that my girl Hunter had the daycare sniffles too…for a long time. Which is normal. At around 8 months it changed to a deep congestion and cough. We later found out after a million drs and antibiotics that it was a dairy allergy. I doubt Harper has a dairy allergy but I just wanted to mention that food allergies sometimes present like that so you would be aware to ask if it doesnt clear up. I hope I am not projecting it just took me forever to figure that out and it only took a 30 second test to confirm it.
also another tip i learned from my girls day care provider for bad diaper rash is to add some baking soda in to their bath water and let them soak. i have never done the research on why this works but it DOES. i cleared up a really bad blistered mango diaper rash in two days doing three baking soda bootie soaks a day. you are doing a great job!!! I nursed and pumped and worked for a year and girl it is HARD. high five v!
xoxox,
lauren
averagegirl says
Hi V! Super long time reader..not a big commenter. I wanted to tell you that my girl Hunter had the daycare sniffles too…for a long time. Which is normal. At around 8 months it changed to a deep congestion and cough. We later found out after a million drs and antibiotics that it was a dairy allergy. I doubt Harper has a dairy allergy but I just wanted to mention that food allergies sometimes present like that so you would be aware to ask if it doesnt clear up. I hope I am not projecting it just took me forever to figure that out and it only took a 30 second test to confirm it.
also another tip i learned from my girls day care provider for bad diaper rash is to add some baking soda in to their bath water and let them soak. i have never done the research on why this works but it DOES. i cleared up a really bad blistered mango diaper rash in two days doing three baking soda bootie soaks a day. you are doing a great job!!! I nursed and pumped and worked for a year and girl it is HARD. high five v!
xoxox,
lauren
Shadia Brown says
You both are grogeous! Little Harper is getting so big. Isn't it crazy how freaking fast time goes by? She's perfect! 🙂
babybuttonbrown.blogspot.com
Hannah @ Just Call Me HaHa says
I'm so happy to read that things are going well. I love reading your thoughts and seeing how you too are changing and growing as Harper does.
Brooke says
Aw, thank you so much for the shout-out! We love reading about you and Harper too. Still wished we live close and could play-date with our twinsies.
Love all those pictures of you and Harper. Such pretty girls!
Katie says
You totally make me baby hungry! haha Harper is beautiful and so is your family! She is growing up so fast!
Stacy G says
The pics of you and Harper are gorgeous! Bouncy seats do come in handy in the mornings don't they? I do the same thing on mornings that I work. Looking forward to hearing more about your job!
Ellie says
I loved reading about Harper and her latest news! 😀 I think it's the cutest thing when my daughter Selah stares and wiggles her toes~hopefully it'll be soon that she'll be grabbing onto them on her own! Lovely pictures too, and I love that bow!
Schnelle says
Such sweet photos- she is so adorable and you are definitely at your happiest. Sleep regression- Aubrey is 8 months and we are just now recovering and going back to sleeping ttn. It's been a long, tiring ride so hang on! Pumping definitely tires you out, I pump every 3 hours and wake every 4 during the night so I never get a good solid chunk of sleep but you have to do what you have to do to maintain your supply. So glad to hear your new routine is working and that Harper is doing do well:)
Britt R says
Okay, first… The pictures are just so cute! Veronika, you look gorgeous! Your hubby did such a great job!! And I'm so glad Harper is doing so well at daycare and that you are too! I think of you often and am glad she gets some extra time with her daddy and grandparents during the week too! Y'all are so blessed!
Ashley Devonish (Owner of Mom4life.com) says
Cute pictures! She is such a doll. Another great mom blog is https://blog.mom4life.com/
DoubleDigits says
Her little red eyebrows are killing me! She's adorable.
DoubleDigits says
Her little red eyebrows are killing me! She's adorable.
Maria DaintyandDecadent says
Happy 4 months, Harper! She is so adorable. I'm still waiting for my hormones to calm down after having my little one two and a half months ago. I was NOT prepared for post pregnancy hormones lol I'm glad to read how well Harper is doing!
Jenn P says
Adorable little Harper!! And each month just keeps getting better. Enjoy it mama! Glad to hear you are feeling well! ~Jenn
http://www.twobytwomom.com
Rachel says
I have so much respect for you for being a working mom. I'm still not sure if I want to have kids, but if I do, that's my plan as well.
Elizabeth says
I love Harper updates! Your pumping story was so encouraging. My 3 month daughter killed my nipples and LCs said it was her mouth anatomy so she too is on only expressed milk. I pump before bed and keep the bottle by my bed for when she wakes up, she doesn't care if it is warm or straight from the fridge either.