SWEET P at SEVEN MONTHS

Sweet P at Six Months
Sweet P at Five Months

Sweet P at Four Months

Sweet P at Three Months

Sweet P at Two Months

Sweet P at One Month

We kept the pediatrician busy this month! As I said last month, this daycare/germ thing is no joke- Poor Pippa was still struggling to get over her cold in early March when she came down with the stomach bug. And then she was hit with pink eye and a double ear infection! Pippa was out sick from Kidz Lodge a few days, but she did get to participate in some fun activities-- visiting the baby chicks in the kindergarten classroom, making footprint and hand print bunnies, taking buggy rides and practicing sign language for "more" and "all done."

Although weekends were low-key, focused on resting and recovering, Pippa went on her first hike and on a few outings with Mommy and Daddy this month. We hiked Pinnacle in the Adirondacks, and Pippa was very content looking around and being toted in the Baby Bjorn. We're excited to do more outdoor activities with her as the weather gets warmer, and Mommy is thrilled that daylight savings allows for more light to take walks around the neighborhood after work. One of Pippa's favorite places is the grocery store, where she loves people watching. 

At seven months old, Pippa weighs about 15 lbs and is fitting into 9-12 month clothing. We've been introducing purees slowly, but Pippa seems more interested in whatever Mom and Dad are eating. She continues to exhibit an independent streak and likes trying to feed herself by grabbing her bottle and spoon away from Mom and Dad. 

         

We were in a sweet spot with sleep a couple of months ago, but we struggled with it again around 6 1/2 months. After a couple of tough weeks, we finally transitioned Pippa from the Rock N Play into her crib. The pediatrician encouraged us to try modified sleep training about a week ago. Despite some initial tears (for both Pippa and Mommy), we’ve had great success! We had been rocking Pippa to sleep and using white noise to soothe her every night before bedtime. The routine took anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. Within three nights, Pippa was going to sleep on her own with minimal fussing and sleeping for about ten hours. She still wakes in the early morning hours for a bottle and then goes back to sleep until it’s almost time to leave for daycare. 

Pippa’s sweet giggle is the best sound, and she gets lots of practice when Mommy and Daddy tickle her. She has learned her name and continues to “talk” all of the time. Pippa is most animated, kicking her feet and chatting away, whenever Lola walks into the room. As soon as Pippa hears Lola’s bell, she’s looking around the room for her fuzzy friend.
We’re looking forward to P starting to crawl soon- She’s trying really hard and most definitely will be mobile within the next month! And we can’t wait to share with you her latest photos from Ashley Brown (Coming soon!).  

SWEET P at SIX MONTHS

Sweet P at Five Months

Sweet P at Four Months

Sweet P at Three Months

Sweet P at Two Months

Sweet P at One Month

Poor Pippa spent most of this month sick with a very bad cold, but it didn't dampen her spirit. She's growing into a smiley, chatty and very active baby. Pippa now sits up on her own and loves to look around— she's especially interested in Lola! She's also entertained by grabbing her feet and mimicking sounds. True to her astrological sign (Virgo), Pippa is exhibiting signs of being very independent. Big girl is trying hard to hold her bottle without any help, and she sits and plays quietly with her toys on her own. 

  

Pippa has adjusted well to the YMCA Kids "Lodge" or daycare. She seems happy and is all smiles at drop-off. Mom and Dad are convinced she has real artistic talent, exhibited in the artwork she brings home. The fridge is now covered with paintings based on the themes of the week. So far, she's learned about arctic animals, flowers, weather and colors. 

The highlight of the month was taking a road trip to Washington, DC. Pippa was  an angel in the car and slept almost the whole way there and back. Our visit there was on the coldest weekend of the year, so our time outdoors was limited. No walking around the monuments this time, but we did wander around Georgetown and appreciated the balmy tropics room at the US Botanical Garden. 

Pippa loves to watch Mom and Dad eat and has started grabbing at our plates and utensils while sitting on our laps at the table. She's (usually) very well-behaved, and Mom and Dad have even been brave enough to finally take her out to "fancy" restaurants with real table linens and wine glasses. At the dinner table at home, we started giving Pippa tastes of solid food including butternut squash, bananas and rice cereal. She's not terribly excited about the food but loves sitting in her high chair. 

Pippa is a healthy 14.8 lbs. and 26 inches long. She looks more and more like her Daddy every day with bright blue eyes and light brown/blond hair. 

SWEET P at FIVE MONTHS

Sweet P at Four Months

Sweet P at Three Months

Sweet P at Two Months

Sweet P at One Month

We can hardly believe that Sweet P is already five months old! It seems like just yesterday that we were eagerly anticipating her arrival and wondering what life would be like with a little one. Pippa's growth this month was remarkable on every front! 

                                            

She weighed 12.4 lbs when we last went to the pediatrician on December 28, and we are guessing she weighs at least another pound or two now. She fills out her 6 months clothes with a cute, little buddha belly and and has very long legs (not Mommy's genes!) We often find ourselves laughing at her short pants when dressing her for daycare in the morning. 

   

Ah, yes. Daycare at the KidzLodge. Another milestone. Mommy went back to work on January 4, and Pippa spent two weeks being spoiled by Grammie and Pop Pop before starting at daycare. She's adjusting well and even seems to enjoy the variety of activities. Tummy time is no longer her least favorite activity because she gets to sit in a circle facing her new little friends. Each day, the curriculum includes learning a nursery rhyme, exploring a sensory game, making an art project, reading and learning about an animal all relating to the theme of the week. 

                                          

At home, Pippa is actively interested and engaged in her surroundings. She turns her head to follow Mommy and Daddy's movements while her eyes light up, and she babbles away. She has mastered the razzzzzberry, blowing bubbles, and squealing. One of her favorite "games" is one-two-three-up, where she goes from lying down to sitting to standing with assistance. By "two" she's already leaning forward, anxious to push up on her legs. 

Highlights: Christmas Eve with Grammie and Pop Pop and Gramps and Stormy, New Year's Eve with her cousins, Roxy, Georgie and Felix

                                              

Sleepytime: Bed time is usually around 7:30 PM, and Pippa sleeps until 6:30/7:00 AM, usually waking up once for a bottle. We feel very lucky that she's a great sleeper! (Not a great napper though)

Food: 5 oz of breast milk six or seven times per day Height and Weight: Fits in 6 months clothes, weighs in the 13-14 lbs range. 

Likes: Airplane, One-two-three-UP!, playing with Violet made by Leap Frog, Rainforest Jumparoo and Activity Gym

Dislikes: There's less crying at bath time, but Pippa is still not a fan. Getting in and out of the car seat remains a struggle too. 

Looking forward to: A roadtrip to DC in mid-February

SWEET P at FOUR MONTHS

Sweet P at Three Months

Sweet P at Two Months

Sweet P at One Month

Every day is a new adventure with Pippa! She's babbling, grabbing at fingers and toys, and is in constant motion. She has super long legs and kicks like crazy in her Momaroo and Bumbo seat- Mom thinks she's going to be a soccer star. Daddy wants her to play golf…

Pippa is definitely developing a strong personality. She expressed her displeasure at the formal Christmas photoshoot in the studio, and despite our best efforts, we still couldn't get  a single photo of Pippa smiling. We gave it a second try at home and fared just a little better getting Pippa to show us her gummy grin. Christmas cards went out a little late this year, but rest assured, you'll find a card from the DeSantis family in your mailbox soon! 

When the paparazzi isn't harassing Pippa, she's a smiley baby, who loves to chat, squeal and play. She is very coordinated now and grabs onto rattles, fabric blocks and soft toys on hanging mobiles. Pippa still loves her activity gym and has developed enough strength to sit and play in her rainforest jumparoo. We're excited to see her play with the light-up, musical toys that filled Santa's sack and read to her from some new additions to her library including Giada de Laurentis' cookbooks for kids and beautifully illustrated books we picked up while on vacation in Maine. 


Pippa's next visit to the pediatrician is in less than a week, and we can't wait to find out how much our little P has grown. We are guessing that she weighs about 13-14 lbs now! Her growth has been amazing over the past month— She's already fitting into her six months sized clothes! 


Highlights: A visit from the Moon family, getting our first Christmas tree as a family and rolling over on Dec. 15

Likes: Daniel Tiger, Christmas Tree Lights, Mirrors, Vulli Teething Rings, soft blocks


Favorite activities: Watching cartoons with Daddy and taking walks in the stroller with Mommy


Least favorite activities: Baths and tummy time

Sweet P at Three Months

Favorite Activities: Playing in her activity gym and Stretching

Weight: at least 12.5 lbs

Likes: Eating, Pat-a-Cake, Princess Sophie Lamaze toy, Holding her hands together in a praying position, Blowing bubbles

Highlights: Pippa's First Thanksgiving; Roadtrip to spend time with her cousins;  a visit from the Moon Family


   
Pippa now sleeps from about 10:30 pm until 5:30 am, sometimes waking once in between for a feeding. She is a great eater and is growing by the day. We will go back to the pediatrician on December 28th and will find out how much weight she has gained since her last check-up at about 6 weeks old. She also has grown more dark hair. Looks like Pippa will be a brunette, even though Daddy was a towhead and Mommy had strawberry blond hair as a child. 

This month, Pippa has really "woken up"-- She's very alert and takes in all the details of her surroundings. She also has found her voice and can be very chatty, especially when watching Mommy and Daddy make funny faces and mirroring them. Bouncing on the exercise ball is still one of the best ways to soothe Pippa, and she's still not a big fan of getting her diaper or clothes changed. Watching Daniel Tiger on PBS or on the iPhone also does the trick to almost instantly calm her.

Sweet P at Two Months

Sweet P at One Month

Favorite Activities: Stretching and Smiling

Weight: about 10 lbs!

Likes: Car rides, walks in the stroller and being bounced on the exercise ball

Highlights: Visiting Indian Ladder Farms, Decommissioning at the Lake George Club, Weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine


Pippa is one strong little girl! She can hold her head up on her own and loves to kick and grasp at objects. She has a specific cry for when she's tired, hungry and needs a diaper change. Her smiles, giggles and coos melt our hearts! We're hoping that her sleep schedule improves this month- 3 hour stretches are the longest she will ever sleep at night. 

Sweet P at One Month

Favorite Activities: Eating, sleeping

Likes: Looking at lights, baths, Pandora lullaby station

Dislikes: Tummy time, diaper changes

Hair: Dark, lots in the back only

Eyes: Blue

Sleep: 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a time

Eat: Breast milk 3-4 oz., 8-10 times a day

Noises: Squeaks ("Pip-squeak"), grunts

Disposition: Pippa loves to be held and is wonderful meeting friends and family. She's a great snuggler and loves sleeping on Daddy's chest. She cries after feeding at night, mostly between 7 pm and 2 am. We quickly forget all about the effort required to get her to rest because her snoring is so cute when she finally falls asleep!