Dear Baby D,
You are ALREADY one whole month old! We just can not believe an entire month has gone by since you entered our world. What a whirlwind! This has been an extraordinary month, and it has all been because of YOU, precious one.
Here are a few highlights from your very first four weeks on this earth...
Growth:
-When you were born, you weighed 8 pounds and one ounce, and you were 21 inches long. Now, you weigh 12 pounds and are 22 inches long! At your two week check up, you were in the 80th percentile for weight and the 95th for height...you are one long baby!! :)
-Your sweet cheeks have filled out so much over the last few weeks, and you have already outgrown some of your 0-3 month clothes. You mostly wear 3-6 month clothes so that they'll accommodate your length.
Eating:
-You picked up the ins and outs of nursing so quickly, little lady! Way to go, you! :)
-Right now, you nurse about every 2-3 hours during the day, and you are moving towards nursing every 3-5 hours at night.
-Like your big sis, you are a FAST eater. You usually only nurse about 5-8 minutes per side, and lots of times, you only nurse on one side and are completely full. I'm not stressed about this like I was with your sis, because you two are simply fast eaters and both plumped up nicely even on such short nursing times. We'll just roll with it--I'm not complaining! ;)
-You are SO LOUD when you eat, baby! You grunt and purr and sigh the entire time, and it is pretty cute. Don't know how I'm going to nurse when we're out and about and trying to be discreet...we'll cross that bridge when we get there!
Sleeping:
-Just like when you are eating, you are a LOUD sleeper. You don't cry or whine, but you grunt and growl and moan and sigh SO loudly! We think you are having a problem with gas, and the gas drops are starting to help you make it at night without so much grunting, poor thing. :( Hopefully you'll grow out of it soon.
-At night, you are sleeping in the port-a-crib in Mommy and Daddy's room.
-During the day, you eat, stay awake for just a little bit of time, and then you fall asleep for 30 minutes to an hour at a time.
-When your big sis takes a nap in the afternoon, I also put you down in your crib for a little peace and quiet so you can get good rest. This is your longest nap of the day, usually lasting 1-3 hours.
-For right now, you'll pretty much sleep on anything or anyone, and you'll usually fall asleep just about anywhere, too. You like your bouncy seat for naps, you sleep on Mom and Dad's bed, your crib, your port-a-crib in our room, your car seat, or on whomever is holding you at the moment.
Play:
-You are so sleepy right now that there isn't much playing going on. However, you are starting to track us with your beautiful blue eyes, and you look for me if you hear my voice in a crowd or across the room! Love this.
-E loves to kiss you and pet your head, and you don't seem to mind. :)
-You've smiled a few times (which we've yet to catch on camera...so fast!), and you sort of chuckle to yourself while you're finishing up nursing sometimes. PRECIOUS.
Activities:
-While we were still in the hospital, you and I had a "sleep over" when Daddy had to go home to be with your sister overnight. It was a precious time of snuggling and bonding between just you and me, and I will treasure our time in the little hospital cocoon forever.
-Over the past few weeks while Mommy was recovering from surgery, we have had lots of wonderful family come and help us. Your Nama and Aunt Schmoo came up to stay a few times and snuggled you to pieces. Your Aunt Emily stayed with your sis while we were still in the hospital, and your Mimi and Papa came over to help us, too. Lots of sweet friends prepared and delivered meals, too! You are AMAZINGLY blessed in the family and friend department, my love. You'll see...
-This past weekend, you went to the pumpkin patch with your sister, and, although you were pretty much asleep the entire time, we snapped a few cute pictures of the two of you. :)
-We finally made it to church all together as a family of four this weekend, and you did great sitting in Mom and Dad's Sunday School class. You also attended your friend Caleb's birthday party--what a weekend!
-Also, we drove up to Mimi and Papa's house to visit, and that was your first "road trip" to see family. You were passed around and loved on the entire time--you are loved, sweet girl!
My precious girl, you have made this month so very sweet. It is unbelievable how COMPLETE our family feels now that you are here. Not that we weren't whole before...but, somehow, you make us even more whole and full and right.
You are content, you are snuggly, you are beautiful beyond words, and you are OURS.
Praise God for giving us the gift of YOU.
May we endeavor to deserve you.
I'll love you forever,
Mommy
Posts
