A Letter: Three Months

Baby Blues

Dear Bug,


Another month already! How can that be? We had a pretty quiet May around these parts, but it still flew by like nobody's business.

Morning Girl

Over the last few weeks, we have finally settled into a routine that works for us. Every morning you eat between 5 and 6am but zonk right back out until 8 or 9. When you decide it's time to roll out of bed, we get up, change your butt, and then just hang out. You, little one, are so smiley and talkative in the morning! And boy, do you have a lot to say. For about an hour or two while Mommy drinks her coffee, we listen to Adele and have a morning chat, possibly walk the dogs (if it's not too hot), and read a story. Then you eat and have your morning nap, which usually lasts 1-2 hours. Our afternoons are reserved for errands, otherwise we just do more of the same! 

Fist Pumping

I know to some it may sound boring, but most days I'm surprised at how quickly time flies while we "just hang out." You do something new every day. Even if it's just a new "word" or mannerism, as little as it may be, it always amazes me. In just one month, you have learned so many new things! You have added a plethora of noises to your arsenal: you are squeaking, squealing, cooing, a-goo'ing and smiling up a storm. You giggle in your sleep, but not quite when awake. You can grasp objects in your iron fist, are batting at toys, and love to kick your legs. You go from sad face to happy face in 2.5 seconds, usually for no reason whatsoever that I can tell other than to exercise your facial muscles. You also LOVE to stand. This one might be my favorite; whenever you get restless, I just stand you up on my lap and you're happy as can be! You also like to dance, do "super baby," face outward while walking around the house, and you love sitting in your swing looking at your birdie friends. You're still not a huge fan of tummy time, but it's getting better each day. You do a great job if you have something to look at, especially if Reef is around. You even do little baby push-ups if you're in the mood! If you're not in the mood though, watch out. You, little girl, have opinions already! Good thing the only time you seem to be unhappy is when you're hungry. 

Bumbo!

Bumbo with Dad!

You are such a happy girl, but if possible, you are in an even better mood when we're out and about. You love to see the world! You still love your wrap but have graduated to sitting on our laps at restaurants now that you have such great head control. And what head-control you have! At home, your Daddy loves to plop you in the Bumbo while he putzes around the kitchen; you just watch him as he walks around and the two of you talk, both smiling away. You still love to snuggle at night, but you definitely prefer being upright 90% of the time, whether it be in the Bumbo or standing on someone's lap. 

Buddha Bug (with a fluffy butt)

The other big news this month is that we started you in cloth diapers! Your skinny little tush finally filled out enough that you can wear them without leaking all over the place. There are so many options, thank goodness our friend Janell (and Olivia!) let us borrow a few to try out. Now that we've gotten the system down, I'm just loving having you in cloth. It's economical, easier (no more last-minute runs to Target for diapers!) plus it gives you an adorable fluffy butt. Who can say no to a fluffy butt?

Momma and Bug

Columbia River, Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Tummy time isn't so bad - when it's on Mom or Dad

Little bug, I just love you so much. Just the other day I was wondering what on earth I did with my time before you came along. Every day my heart grows just a little bigger, just for you. Just like last month, putting away your newborn clothes made me a little sad, but after seeing everything you've accomplished in just one month, I can't wait to see what my "rockstar baby" has in her pocket to show me next.


Until next month - all my love,
Momma

Sweet Girl

Three months stats (inexact measurements as of May 24th)...
Weight: 11 pounds, 8 ounces
Height: 22.25 inches
Head Circumference: 15 inches
Diaper Size: Size 1
Clothing Size: A few newborn sleepers still fit, mostly 0-3 months
New Nicknames: Lovely girl, sweet baby, miss fluffy-pants, fluff-butt, little miss

Second month milestones...
Started cloth diapers: May 1st
Spent the WHOLE day with Daddy: May 12th
Met your Aunt Sonia: May 23rd

First "swim": May 25th

A Letter: Two Months (2 months actual, 2 weeks adjusted)

Lily in her Easter dress, six weeks old.

Dear Bug,


Oh my, what a busy month you've had! Once we received the all-clear from Dr. Schultz to head out on our first family road trip, we hit the ground running for Montana on Saturday, March 30th. We were pretty nervous about taking you on a 22-hour long road trip for our first lengthy excursion, but you, my little Bug, did Amazing. Yep, with a capital A.

First road trip.

You were perfectly content to ride along in your carseat either napping, looking at Mommy, or checking out Reef (he was checking you out too.) In fact, we quickly discovered that riding in the car is the key to putting you to sleep! You're usually out in less than five minutes once we start moving. Hopefully we won't have to add it to our nighttime arsenal, but during the day it's a quick fix to appease an upset Bug. You and I have definitely made a few leisurely, midday shopping trips this month!


The other thing you love is riding in your wrap. Some days it's the only way I get anything done! I don't mind though, I love having you close as much as you love being there. Plus it's quite handy for shopping - no lugging around a big stroller for us, I just drop you right in and you're a happy camper! We do get quite a few looks when we're out and about though - apparently baby-wearing hasn't caught on in Tucson. You and I actually got followed through Target last week; the couple eventually got up the cajones to ask me if I was comfortable and I just smiled, said "Of course!" and continued on our merry way. Your Daddy is amazed at how well you do when in the wrap; he used to look at me skeptically every time I took the time to put you in it (rather than carry you through the store in the carseat), but now he has requested a sling/carrier of his own! It really is fantastic how great you do when you're close to us.

Shopping in the wrap, Mommy's 28th birthday at La Encantada.

This month you got to meet a lot of important people: your Grammie, Uncle JC (Mommy's brother), many of your Great Aunts and Uncles, a few cousins, and your Uncle Brian (Daddy's brother.) You also met the Maack family, and Mommy and Daddy's good friends, Rachael and Scott Zins. We spent a lot of time parading you through the state of Montana on our road trip and everyone was so excited to meet you, although a wee bit nervous. You are so fragile, there were only a few brave enough to hold you! I can't wait until next time when you're a little tougher around the edges and everyone can enjoy you.

Uncle JC

Grammie

Uncle Brian

Speaking of fragile, fragile you are no more! At your two-month check up last week, you had gained three pounds in one month. Three! My "little preemie" is no longer so little. You have definitely filled out this month and have grown quite the chipmunk cheeks. I just love smooching on them all the time, especially now that you are smiling often and becoming more animated. It is so fun to watch your little personality peek out more each day! You are now "talking" to us more, tracking Mommy, Daddy and the dogs, and you love ceiling fans and windows. In addition to the grunting (yes, you're still a Gruntosaurus), you definitely let us know that you are no longer premature, using your lungs to prove it! Last week during tummy time you got very angry and ending up flipping yourself right over! Such a big girl. You haven't done it again (unless you're on Mommy's tummy); you seem much more interested in inching forward than going sideways. I have a sneaking suspicion that you will be an active crawler...

The many faces of the Bug.

Playtime.

Chipmunk Cheeks

I understand now the juxtaposition other Moms always talk about; it's amazing to watch you grow and learn so quickly, but it also makes me sad to leave the littleness behind. This month you grew out of your preemie clothes and into your newborns, but now even some of those are too small. Each time I have to put a cute little outfit away that fit you a day or two ago, I get a little down. But then you smile at me, giggle in your sleep, or grab my glasses with an iron fist, and I get excited to see what you'll do next. I am so grateful to be your Mom and have the opportunity to be home with you. You are Amazing. Capital A.


Until next month - all my love,
Momma

Rawr.

Two months stats (as of April 27th)...
Weight: 9 pounds, 4 ounces
Height: 21.25 inches
Head Circumference: 15 inches
Diaper Size: Newborn
Clothing Size: Newborn
New Nicknames: Teri the Pterodactyl, Fussy-butt, Fussy-pants (you're really not that fussy, I promise), Stink-butt, Squirmy Worm pronounced "Skirmy Verm", The Verm, Football

Second month milestones...
First road trip: March 30th through April 18th
Met your Grammie & Uncle JC: April 6th
Met your Uncle Brian: April 20th
Rolled Over (tummy to back): April 22nd
First soccer game: April 29th
First "giggle": April 30th