13.5 months

Dear Izzy,

So your cough and runny nose have made it hard for you to sleep through the night. You occasionally wake up as you are unable to breathe through your nose and it's hard to breathe through your mouth because you are sucking on your soother. Poor baby...I hope you start getting back in your sleep schedule because it definitely affects your mood in the morning...oh and not forgetting Mommy's mood too!

You have learned to kiss Mommy. After seeing Daddy give Mommy good morning kisses, you brought your face in close to mine but didn't know what to do after so Mommy gave you a peck on your strawberry lips. It's so endearing because you aren't very affectionate otherwise as you are one very independent girl!

You really love to eat whatever mommy eats...even if it's the same thing you are eating! I guess it tastes better if it comes off Mommy's plate and spoon than your own. How funny. Ah Ma has also started training you to eat spicy food. She made fried radish cake the other day and put some chili in it and you ate all of it and even wanted more! You are starting to get picky in regards to what you eat...or I think maybe you don't want to be fed anymore. You would rather feed yourself. So Mommy is now doing research on what foods Daddy can cook you that you can feed yourself with...instead of the usual dishes he makes you which require a spoon to be eaten.

Walking around is now one of your favorite things to do! You are getting better and better at it everyday. Nowadays when we go out, like to the mall, you no longer want to sit in your stroller. You would rather walk around. So Mommy has to hold on to both of your hands and walk you around the mall. You get so proud and excited too! The other day at the mall, you were screaming "YAY!" when we were walking around. You're a big girl now!

Love, Mom

On our way to the park!

She loves the playground.

Izzy always wants to "walk" now...

Fever Again?!

You, Daddy and Mommy had a rough night last night, Izzy...you came down with a fever again. Not sure why? You slept from 6pm the night before but woke up at around 1am. You couldn't fall back asleep till 3am. But your sleep after that was very fragmented with wakeups at 3:45am and again at 5am. You were up for the day at 7am and today you are restless and have lost your appetite. Poor baby. We really hope that you put on weight since your last doctor's visit because next week we will be going in for your other round of shots and also a weight check and Mommy doesn't want you to get any unnecessary tests due to a lack of weight gain.

I hope it's just teething or some viral infection and not another UTI. Get better soon. Mommy misses the cheeky Isabelle.

Love, Mom

Video taken a couple days before getting sick...
Your walking is getting better and better!

Happy 46 week birthday!

Izzy Izzy,

After we got home from Vancouver, we have started to babyproof the apartment because you have learned to open and close doors and cupboards. You actually like to shut the door behind you after you crawl into your room. WOW, I can just imagine what your teenage years are going to be like...so Mommy has made a mental note of "NO locks on your bedroom doors!"

Since our last appointment with Dr. Scott, he mentioned that we should start you on trivisol. It's a multivitamin that is designed to help meet the nutritional needs of a growing baby like you! You seem to not mind the taste of it and don't always spit it out the way you do to your anti-biotics when Mommy had to give that to you when you were sick with a UTI.

You are cruising more and more. Everyday you practice and now can walk the length of the queen bed and sofa. But it seems you much prefer your turbo-charged crawling as it gets you to where you want to go so much faster!

Don't point, it's rude! But you get away with murder. You point to everything these days. When I ask, "Where's Zoë?", you look towards and point to Zoë. Smart cookie! But when we go to church, you stand and look at everyone behind you and point at them...sometimes, you not only point but also start laughing at the person you are pointing to! It's hilarious!

Ahhhh naps...what is that again? You seem to have forgotten about the long naps you used to take in Vancouver. Night sleep is back on track again. Mommy is slowly weaning you off our 10pm dreamfeed now. I am going to miss that contented puffed-up cheek look you always give me after we finish our session! Sigh...another reminder that you are growing up!

Daddy has also upgraded you to your big girl carseat this week! I think you are much comfier in it...you can also see out the window! Let's hope you enjoy car rides much more in your new carseat.

Love, Mom

Feb 26, 09: Look at how tiny you were...your first time in the carseat on our way home from the hospital

Dec 16, 09: In your carseat on our way to Vancouver!

Jan 17, 10: Your new top-of-the-line big girl carseat!

Milestone: Sleeping Through the Night!

Dear Izzy,

This is the milestone Mommy has been waiting for! You are finally sleeping through the night. About 2.5 weeks ago, we weaned you off the 2am feed and you've been doing great! The first couple of nights, you woke up and fussed but after the third night, you slept right through till 6am. That gives Mommy about 6-7 hours of uninterrupted sleep after we dream feed you at 10pm. Well, Mommy is still trying to relearn to sleep through the night ourselves as we are so used to waking up. But the nights that Mommy does sleep through till 6am, I feel so refreshed and like a new person! It's nice after 9 months of having fragmented sleep to finally be able to just have peace of mind that you don't need a feeding anymore in the middle of the night.

Not only are you sleeping through the night, your naps are getting longer as well. You were only doing 30mins naps for the past couple of months but now they have lengthened to 1 hour naps. You dropped your late afternoon nap and now are taking only 2 naps a day.

We have to slowly tweak your schedule to try to get you to wake up later...6am is still a little too early! Maybe one day you'll be able to sleep in till 7am. We can only hope!

Keep it up, baby!

Love, Mom

Happy 26 week birthday!

Dear Izzy,

You are 26 weeks old today. So what have you been up to lately?

You like to splash, splash, splash in the bathtub. Mommy always gets wet nowadays when we give you a bath. You are too long for your infant tub and you like to kick your legs like you are swimming! Sometimes we put you in the pail because you always want to sit up now. Also, you really like to suck on the wash cloth...what's up with that?? Is bath water really that tasty?

You cannot keep your hands to yourself, within seconds, if Mommy doesn't have her eye on you, you grab things and they always end up in your mouth. You have started raking things towards you and the using your pincer grasp to pick them up. You are able to pick up smaller and smaller things now which is scary because they can be choking hazards!

As for your food menu, looks like you are more of a fruity girl than a veggie girl. You definitely have a sweet tooth! Just like Mommy when we were carrying you in my belly. So far you have had oatmeal cereal, rice cereal, bananas, peach, sweet potato, potato and carrot.

For the past week, you have been such a great sleeper! Bedtime is around 6:30 pm and you barely have any night awakenings now. Only one and usually it's around 2:30 am-3 am. This is when Mommy feeds you, in addition to the dreamfeed, which we do at around 10 pm. Then you sleep through till about 6:30 am or 7 am. Naps have been good too...sometimes you sleep up to 1 hr 15 mins! Yesterday you had one LONG 2 hour nap but I think it's because you were super conked out from the shots.

Till next week!

Love, Mom

Izzy & Sophie

Sleep Training Revisited

Dear Isabelle,

We went to see Marilee Hartling, RN, MFT, who is an early childhood behaviorist, in regards to your sleep issues. We started off your sleep training with great success but have now seen some regression. You are now up 4 to 6 times a night needing Mommy or Daddy to pop the soother back into your mouth or to rescue you and flip you back over to your back. You are able to roll over both ways but only in one direction right now. So when you flip from back to tummy, you get stuck because you've hit the side of the crib. Hopefully, you'll learn to roll the other direction too, that way, you can help yourself!

Marilee described you as precocious and very alert and she's not surprised that you've regressed. She says it's because you are so active and are probably practicing your new motor skills when you wake from REM sleep. And after all that practicing, it's hard for you to fall back asleep yourself and you need help from Mommy and Daddy. She also advised Mommy to resume your nightly feeding because you might also be waking due to hunger. Even though Dr. Scott said that physically, 4 month old babies should be able to go without calories for 10 hours at night, Marilee said that, in your case, you might have Mommy's high metabolism and in addition to your hyperactiveness, you need that extra feeding in the night.

So her solutions for us are:

• to be patient as this period shall pass but will also return when you develop another new skill
• to add a night feeding
• to teach you to pop the soother back into your mouth yourself

On the cute side, at the beginning of our consultation, you were looking at Mommy for comfort because you were in the presence of a stranger. After Mommy reassured you, you started interacting and smiling with Marilee. You were also rolling, rolling and rollling all around the mat...little show off!

Love, Mom

Your eyes are always big and open like that!!!

Sleep Training: Day 7

Dear Isabelle,

1 week has passed since we started you on some gentle sleep training techniques. Mommy can say that your night time sleep has improved TREMENDOUSLY! After our bedtime routine, you fall asleep within 10 min of hitting the crib and Mommy and Daddy can have dinner and hang out together after a long day! Thank you for some Mommy & Daddy time!

But we do have to work harder on naps. Apparently they are harder to tackle but should get better once you are older. At least we have 1 sleep schedule down!

Love, Mom

Sleep Training: Day 6

Bedtime was at 7 p.m. and only 1 nightwaking last night! Again, you woke up at around 4:15 a.m. Mommy really thinks it is due to a little bit of hunger but we had to hold out again. You fell asleep after Daddy turned on the Sleep Sheep. You stirred a little in your crib at 5:15 a.m and Mommy fed you then. After the feed, you slept till 8 a.m.!

Naps are kind of sporadic still. Sometimes you take 1 hour naps but other times the "45 minute intruder" creeps in and you only take 30-45 min naps. We need to work harder on naps!

Love, Mom

Sleep Training: Day 5

We are almost there! You had only 1 nightwaking last night. You were put down at 6:30 p.m because we were out all afternoon and you didn't have a good nap. Mommy dreamfed you at 10:00 p.m and you didn't wake until about 4 a.m. I think you were hungry. But we had to hold out till about 5:30 a.m. to feed you. You were good though, you fussed a little, babbled to yourself as if you were complaining about why Mommy hasn't come to feed you, and then fell back asleep. We fed you at 5:30 a.m., you gave a little smile after your meal and went back to dreamland till 8 a.m.!

It's getting better and better everyday, Isabelle!

Love, Mom

Sleep Training: Day 4

You are getting better at this, Isabelle! You went to bed at 8 p.m. and there were only 2 nightwakings (12:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.). Both times, you put yourself back to sleep within 3 mins. Mommy feels more refreshed than ever as I am getting about 6 hours of straight sleep (and about 8 hours of sleep total).

We fed you at 5:45 a.m...you weren't awake, it was more like a dreamfeed. And you slept till 7:30 a.m. this morning.

With your better nighttime sleep, comes longer naptimes. Now Mommy has time to do more freelance projects!

Love, Mom

Sleep Training: Day 3

Hi Isabelle,

You are learning sooo fast! Day 3 went so much better than Day 2. We put you to bed at 7:15 p.m. and you zonked out pretty fast. I think the earlier bedtime (before 8 p.m.) works great because you are not over-tired and cranky and so it's easier to drift off into dreamland.

The first nightwaking came at 10:20 p.m. Mommy was going to dreamfeed you at 10:30 p.m. but we were afraid to because we didn't want you to associate the feeding with the waking. But luckily you settled yourself pretty fast. Once you stopped fussing, Mommy quickly fed you and you fell back into your slumber.

That night after Mommy and Daddy went to bed, you woke up another 3 more times but all 3 nightwakings lasted for less than 5 mins. You fussed a little and then back to dreamland! Mommy woke up at 5:15 a.m. to nurse you because we knew you were starving by then. When I went to pick you up in the crib, your eyes were already open. You were being a good girl and not making a peep! We fed you and put you back in your crib and you didn't wake up till 8 a.m.!

Your naps are changing too. For the first time in your 4 months of life, you took a 2.5 hour nap! You have also started napping in your carseat that you once hated with a passion. Mommy might even try to venture out more now!

Finally falling asleep by yourself in the carseat

One lesson that Mommy has learned is that we were being overly protective before. Mommy needs to loosen up a bit and let you take things in and learn for yourself. We don't want to stifle your personal growth!

Love, Mom

Sleep Training: Day 2

Hi Isabelle,

You went to bed last night at 8:30 p.m. because we went over to Godpa Dan's place for dinner. We came home, Mommy and Daddy went through our bedtime routine and you were zonked out immediately upon hitting the crib! You can go to sleep by yourself now!

There was no nightwakings from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m and Mommy dreamfed you at 10:30 p.m. But at 2 a.m., you woke up and didn't go back to sleep until about 4:30 a.m. What a tiring night for both Mommy and Daddy. Especially Daddy as he has to work today! You didn't cry the whole time, you were babbling and since you found your voice today, you were also yelling intermittently. And after you fell asleep at 4:30 a.m., you woke up at 5:30 a.m. once again. I think it's because you were super thirsty after yelling for 2.5 hours so Mommy fed you and you fell back asleep again. You did not sleep deeply and would wake once in a while from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Mommy got you up at 8 a.m. We did a few chores and you started getting tired at 9:15 a.m. We put you in the crib for a nap, you fell right asleep and having been sleeping for the last hour! Usually your naps last for 30 mins...but I guess you are super tired from being up all night.

I hope tonight will be a better night! We can already see some changes.

Love, Mom

Sleep Training: Day 1

Hi Isabelle,

So since Dr. Scott said that you were physically and mentally ready for some sleep training, Mommy and Daddy decided that we should start now because July will be a very busy month for all of us! Godma Danielle, Uncle Justin, your 奶奶 and 爷爷 are all coming to visit us!

At 7:30 p.m., we did our bedtime routine of changing into a new diaper, pajamas, nursing, storytime and a prayer. Then we put you in your crib awake but drowsy and you fell asleep quite fast! Daddy was VERY surprised!

The first time you woke up, it took you about 40 mins to put yourself back to sleep. Mommy and Daddy alternated going into the room to comfort you. You have a very different sleepy cry nowadays, it is no longer the crazy cry...more of the whiny "I am tired, I need help going to sleep" cry. So much more tolerable than the crazy cry!

After that one nightwaking at around 9 p.m., Mommy dreamfed you at 10:30 p.m. and went to bed. Your other 2 nightwakings were during the usual time Mommy would nurse you, around 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. You fussed for less than 5 mins during these nightwakings...after fussing, you fell right back to sleep! Mommy nursed you at 5:45 a.m. and you slept all the way to 8 a.m!

All in all, I think Day 1 of sleep training went quite well. Last night wasn't too rough on you, although Mommy shed a few tears for you because we were so used to rescuing you on the slightest whimper. Daddy had to hold Mommy back a couple of times. Let's hope tonight will be a progression of last night's sleep training session!

Love, Mom

First Nap in the Crib

Hi Isabelle,

Maybe it's not a fluke after all! You are taking your first ever nap in your crib. Usually your afternoon naps have been in Mommy's arms, on the couch or in the family bed. But today, Mommy decided to try putting you in the crib for a nap.

After 25 mins of grumbling and protesting, Mommy put the pacifier in your mouth and you fell asleep in 5 mins. I should have done that earlier!

I am so proud of you, Isabelle! Maybe, like the doctor prescribed, you ARE ready for some gentle sleep training. After learning how to fall asleep in your crib consistently, we have to work to prolong your naps and stop your night wakings.

Love, Mom

Mommy just HAD to document this monumental moment with a photo!

Another Fluke??

Dear Isabelle,

Mommy is sitting here beaming away because you fell asleep by YOURSELF again! We don't know if it's a fluke or is this the beginning of better sleep habits. The last time you did this was when we were in Vancouver. You just zonked out on the couch by yourself.

This time, Mommy laid with you in bed, you were talking to yourself and playing with your fingers. Then Mommy looked over at you and you were getting drowsy and your eyes were getting heavy. Before we know it, your limbs were limp and your breathing became more rhythmic. That meant that you fell into deep sleep! YAY! Now it's time for Mommy to have her lunch before you wake up and play again!

So happy you did it on your own...and without any crying!

Love, Mom

The Unthinkable Happened!!!

Oh my...the most unthinkable thing happened today, Isabelle!!! You fell asleep on the couch by YOURSELF!! I think this warrants being called a milestone because sleep has been such a difficult thing for you to master! Usually you need to be slinged, rocked, shhhhed or sung to before you can sleep.

Mommy and Daddy were busy doing arts & crafts of your footprint and Mommy just set you down on the couch for 5 mins. When we came back to look at you, you were fast asleep! Let's hope this is one of the many more times you will fall asleep on your own!

Love, Mom

No More Schedule...

...Not like we had one anyways!

Mommy's still not sure if your growth spurt is over because you are still holding on to one extra night feed and your nighttime sleeping schedule is all screwed-up? What happened to sleeping your 4 hour long stretches without food and in your own bed? After your 3 a.m. feed, it always seems like you migrate into Daddy's and Mommy's bed. Mommy never really believed in the family bed but for my own sanity, I am letting it slide. You better not be making this a habit now! We are attributing it to your growth spurt and the unfamiliar environment. Just when Mommy thinks we have you figured out, you always throw me back out of the loop!

Love, one very tired Mommy

"Sleepy-Time": Gentle Sleep Techniques for You and Your Baby

Dear Isabelle,

We went to the "Sleepy-Time" workshop today so that we can gather more tools to help you nap better during the day. We learned that there are worse sleepers out there than you! At least you don't wake up every 2 hours during the night...knock on wood!

We got you an Angel Dear blankie to serve as a transitional object and a naptime buddy. We hope this works! Mommy wants you to sleep a little bit more that you are sleeping now during the day so you won't be so grumpy when Daddy gets home from work!

Love, Mom

Day vs. Night

Dear Isabelle,

You seem to be more aware of day vs. night now. During the day, you feed every 2 hours but at night, you wake up every 4 hours to feed. Usually, our last feeding session for the night is at 10:30 pm. The next feeding will be around 2:30 am and then again at 6:30 am. That gives Mommy about 6 hours of sleep each night! We think that's a great schedule and hope that you will slowly start sleeping through the night!

Love, Mom