Ellie Belly's FOUR month schedule

Its amazing how much preparation it takes to go on vacation for 3 measly days... Not only do I have to strategically pack my bags with the weight limit these days being only slightly more than the suitcase itself.. but also prepare for leaving my family behind for a few days.  I count my lucky stars every day that I have a husband that is just as involved in the kids life as I am- so there isn't much explaining, preparing, teaching.. to do.  He's got it.  The girls adore him.  He is up to date on what stage they are at- and how to handle things like tantrums and manipulation (Dyllan is very good at getting her way). Having said that though- Ellie is still so little and needy- and so far is quite the mommy's girl.  Unlike Dyllan- who got passed around to anyone and everyone the first year or so of her life.. Ellie prefers her mom.  She is usually good- and happy with anyone who holds her- but there are times that she just wants mom (to feed her usually).  I think being the second child- she gets set down a lot.  She sits in her car seat, her stroller, in her chair on the kitchen counter, or in her swing.  Sometimes when she's not sitting in something- she will lay on her tummy on her mat (only lasts about 5 min at a time)- or on her back on the bed (watching the ceiling fan- usually while I shower or do something else upstairs).  Lots of sitting and laying around.. She handles it well, but she would really prefer to be held.  Sorry second child.. but you don't get to be held all the time or even catered to when your sister is around.  Ellie has been good at going with the flow.  From day 1- she has been such an easygoing, happy baby.

Although Dan doesn't need this- he'll probably just wing it and not look at it anyway- but I started to type up Ellie's schedule so he has something to reference over the weekend.  It reminds me of when Dyllan was about this age- and my Aunt Elaine (bless her) came down to watch Dyllan while Dan and I went to Coachella.  I typed up a schedule for her to use too.  I wish I had kept that- it would be fun to compare schedules..

So here it is- Ellie's current schedule (as written for Dan for the weekend).

Ellie Belly’s Schedule (4 months):

MORNINGS:

5:00- 7:00am- Wake- as soon as she wakes up, the first thing she wants is to Eat.  Feed her a bottle (leave milk out over night to defrost- if you need to heat it up- put it in boiling water for a few min.- don’t microwave)- or just use formula if you’re in a hurry.

7- 8:30am- Up, playtime.  Gym, walk, tummy time, whatever.

8:30am- 9:05am-  She gets tired.  Whenever she is at kids club she falls asleep at 9:05am on the dot.  She’s pretty predictable here.  If she is getting fussy around this time- change her, put her in her sack, give her pacifier and put her in her crib or stroller if you’re out.

9:30- 10:00am- She wakes up.  Feed her bottle.

10:00am- play time- colored mat, chair, walk

12:00- 1:00pm- Change diaper put her in her sack and feed her a bottle until she starts to drift off to sleep.  Once sleepy (but not fully asleep) put her pacifier in and put her down. If she wont go down right away- try turning on her ceiling fan-  she likes to watch that.

2:00-3:00pm- wakes up.  She usually naps from about 12- 3pm- so if she wakes up in between that time- try to resettle her- or just ignore her and see if she will go back to sleep on her own.  She should sleep min 1.5 hours. This is her main nap.

3:00-5:00pm-  feed her, then play time

5:00pm- start thinking about getting ready for dinner/bath/bed.

5:30pm- feed her milk (from freezer)- make sure she gets a good amount here.

5:45pm – bath OR feed her Solids while you make dinner (Solids- she is a piggy- she eats 2-3 packets of food- give her the vegis first)

6:15pm- bath- only a short one (5 min or so) change into night clothes (t shirt onsie and sack)- Dyllan can play in the tub while you do this..

6:30pm – bottle (freezer)- hold her in your arms on the couch in her room- in low light- and ease her to sleep.. maybe put a movie or TV on for Dyllan while you quietly get Ellie to sleep.  Once she stops eating- or looks sleepy set her in her crib.  She should go to sleep on her own.  ** Sometimes she is tired before 6:30pm- so if shes fussy before 5:30pm- start the process a little earlier.

7:00pm- the night is yours!

Troubleshoot:

• -       Tummy Hurts (this happens a lot when she’s eating) - crying and kicking- burp her- she has air in her tummy and its uncomfortable.  Put her over your shoulder and burp her- lay her on her back and do bicycle legs- put her over your knees face down and try burping her.  If all else fails- or if you’re frustrated- just give her 5ml (1 syringe full) of gripe water- hold her and put her pacifier in while it settles.
• -       Reflux- she’s got bad reflux- she spits up after almost every feed (except solids)- and often spits up other times too- you might put a bib on if you take her in the car seat or stroller- otherwise she will be wet/cold. 
• -       Crying – is she tired?  Is she hungry? Is she wet? If none of those work- reset/resettle with a bath or a walk in the stroller- or hold her.
• -       Wont drink the bottle- either she’s not hungry enough or it may be coming out too fast (make sure the lid is “1”)- or her tummy hurts.  Try feeding her close to your chest like a boob- it may go down smoother that way.
• -       Wont go to sleep- put pacifier back in.  if she wont take it- let her cry for about 10 min- if she doesn’t go down.. or works herself up more- pick her up- feed her/ resettle her.. put her back in her crib with a pacifier.  If its nap time and she wont go to sleep- try the bassinet- put her on her side and pat her back until she drifts off to sleep.  I find that she needs to be settled before going to bed- so if she’s worked up or crying at all- then settle her down before putting her in bed.
• -       Wont nap- ceiling fan, pacifier, more food, or if all else fails try again later- or stroller ride or car ride

Feed Me!  Boxing baby.