Evelyn resorts to cannibalism.

by Veronica on June 18, 2013

in Evelyn

Evelyn snuggling

At 2am, Evelyn had a big seizure. I poked her cheek, changed her position, shook her hands and finally settled in waiting for it to pass, listening to her breathing change. Normally, middle of the night seizures end with Evelyn needing resettling and then falling back asleep. Not last night though, as she came out of it, realised I was watching her and decided that it was time to play.

First, she needed to examine my ears. I’m not sure what she thought the things stuck to the side of my head were previously, but last night they were the most interesting things ever. Then she bit each of my fingers in turn, presumably to make sure they were all made of flesh. She flipped and spun, bit my nipple – a new trick, turned herself into a baby hat draped around my head, and finally, FINALLY, fell back asleep after blowing raspberries all over my hair.

I am not at my finest at 2am, let alone 2am on a day that has included having the flu, but I had to laugh at the glee on Evelyn’s face when she clambered all over me.

Babies are nice, and Evelyn is the nicest baby of all. She mostly smells good, she’s very snuggly and we’re working on blunting her teeth with rusks so that cannibalism doesn’t become a life choice.

Evelyn has learned to commando crawl and she is very fast. She chases Amy down to her bedroom, giggling, before Amy carries her back out to me, flopped in her arms. Amy puts her on the floor and races off to resume her game and Evelyn chases her as fast as she can, before Amy drags her back to the living room. Repeat, ad infinitum.

She tried to fly the other day. I can’t say she’s very good at it, although I suspect she bounced when she flung herself off the edge of my bed after a nap. I hadn’t tidied my bedroom yet and she landed on an abandoned pile of pillows and a spare doona. Messiness has its upsides. The next day after her nap she shouted at me and I found her peering over the edge of the bed looking at the floor fearfully. I think I need to build a better pillow fort to stop her getting out of her cot.

Evelyn bites now. Often. Cheekily, she looks at me while she’s breastfeeding and CHOMP she goes, before she smiles at me prettily. I’ve tried explaining that milk tastes terrible when laced with blood, but so far, no luck. I’ve also tried shouting, cringing and grumpily putting her on the floor with no more breasts, but nothing works. The worst part is not actually being bitten, it’s waiting for the bite. It’s quite hard to relax when you’re waiting for a cannibalistic baby-toddler to nip you. She also tried biting my neck, so maybe she’s part vampire. I hear that’s a “thing” now, if Amy is to be believed.

She is amazing, and bright and bubbly and she makes me laugh every day – usually by trying to eat my face. She snuggles, and adores her siblings and causes untold chaos.

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Amy R June 18, 2013 at 1:31 pm

I broke Riley of nipple biting by flicking him in the cheek when he’d bite. I think it only took a handful of times before he got the idea. Nothing else seemed to work, and he was drawing blood. I hope Evelyn getsj the hint soon for your sake. I’m not looking forward to Q learning to bite. But, gotta cross the feeding hurdle first!

Happy Elf Mom June 18, 2013 at 1:42 pm

Oh poor baby girl. I’m so sorry she’s having this go on in the night. She’s such a chunky sweetie, I know you enjoy her very much… but here’s hoping you both sleep better tonight.

cat@jugglingact June 18, 2013 at 5:38 pm

Sweet girl

Jo June 18, 2013 at 10:10 pm

I had a lot of problems breast feeding my daughter (2nd child) but the biting was what did me in, finally! Weaned her pretty much immediately after that. 🙂

river June 18, 2013 at 10:11 pm

she’s so gorgeous! Would it help if you put her on the floor for her nap? She couldn’t fall then. Had to laugh at all the extra exercise Amy is getting.

Maybe watch her face carefully when feeding and as soon as the bit begins, put your finger in her mouth and break contact? Say no at the same time, then let her continue feeding.
A friend years ago was getting bitten by her baby and every time the baby bit, she would lightly smack her on the head and after a week or so she was very upset that the baby no longer wanted to feed. Well Duh!

Kate June 18, 2013 at 10:37 pm

Evelyn sounds like an absolute joy….so happy to hear these stories!!

Lilia Lovise June 19, 2013 at 11:21 pm

Awww, I love this picture of you two, she’s adorable!

Blossom June 20, 2013 at 11:56 am

She is just adorable

Em June 22, 2013 at 9:38 am

Oh boy do I remember the days of biting. Feeling for you mom and just love the picture!

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