A Letter: Five Months

Johnny Jump-Up

Miss Bug,

Two weeks late but better late than never, right?

Tummy time with my puppies.

Reading books already.

We have been so busy this month! The week after you turned four months old, we packed up our little life in Tucson and boarded a jet plane headed North. It was your very first plane ride and you couldn't have done any better - my seatmate even said so. I was a little nervous about your precious little ears, and planned on nursing you during takeoff, but you fell asleep and didn't wake up until we were at cruising altitude. You spent the majority of the two-hour flight chatting with me and checking out the other passengers, then fell asleep right before landing and didn't wake up until Uncle Scott met us at baggage claim. What luck! I guess I shouldn't have worried about you one bit; you have already proven to be quite the traveler.

Five month pictures screenshot. Raspberries!

How do I list all the things we have done in your fifth month?! You and I, my little Bug, have hardly stood still for more than a few days at a time. We started in Missoula and then spent the fourth of July in Butte. We visited your Aunt Dede and Uncle Terry at Georgetown Lake and a few short days later, you, your Daddy, and I headed to Kalispell to start house shopping. We thought we had found our future home, but as luck would have it, it was not meant to be, so you and I headed back to Missoula for a jam-packed week. Aunt Lacee was visiting from Tucson, you met a few of Mommy's friends, and your Aunt Tammy babysat you for the very first time! That is definitely something we have to work on - you have become so spoiled by being with your Mom all the time, you are developing a little bit of separation anxiety. You're okay with Daddy but don't particularly tolerate spending time with anyone else unless you can see me. Deep down, I know you have to get used to being watched by others, but part of me glows a little bit knowing you want me over anyone else. But one of the reasons we decided to move back to Montana is to be near family - we need babysitters!

Georgetown Lake

Folk Festival

The most exciting thing you have started doing this month is LAUGHING! On July 2nd, Mommy and Daddy were sitting outside at your Uncle JC's house, and as we were talking, all of a sudden a little chuckle slipped out of your adorable mouth! Daddy and I stared at you and asked what was so funny, and you giggled again! What an amazing sound. Now every day I try all sorts of silly things to get you to laugh. You love when I pretend to eat your belly or your nose, and I have a song I sing to you that always gets big smiles and a chuckle or two. Your other huge milestone this month is that you are sitting all by yourself! The first time you did it without falling over, you weren't sure of the whole balancing thing, but then you figured out I wasn't holding you and you looked like you had hit the jackpot! What a huge, beautiful smile. You then proceeded to learn how to blow raspberries on the very same day. Now we can't stop you from spitting all over us. Gross but adorable all the same.

I laughed today!

Burrito Bug loves Bathtime

I'm sitting by myself! Oh my goodness!

You have become so aware of everything around you. If you see it, you want to eat it; you are grabbing and chewing on anything in sight. You lean forward out of our laps to reach toys, rags, mustard bottles - anything really! We have to be constantly on guard as to what you can reach. At dinner at Famous Dave's, the waitress was clearing our table and all of sudden we look over and you're holding a rib bone high in the air with a huge smile on your face! You were oh-so-proud of yourself.

Teething is no fun.

Everyone you meet comments on two things: your dark, expressive eyebrows and how bright-eyed you are. You bring so much joy to everyone with your loud personality - and what a personality! I know I've said it before, but you, my little dragon baby, have opinions and aren't afraid to show them! You have definitely figured out how to let us know if you like or dislike something and you have also figured out how to get Mommy to come running. You'll start fussing and it escalates, so I come to check on you and guess what? Huge smile, you little stinkpot! You have also decided that bottles are for chumps and have become quite the boob snob. I suppose we might be going straight from nursing to a sippy cup, but thus far you aren't impressed by that idea either. As with anything, we shall try and try again until you are ready. Although you do like holding your cup, you just aren't a huge fan of drinking out of it yet. You'll get there in your own time.

Some days I miss my small, tiny, little preemie but I am so proud of how far you have come! Not only do people comment on your gorgeous eyebrows and bright-eyes, but no one can believe you are a preemie. I guess you knew better than we did that 34 weeks was just enough cooking time, didn't you? You are on track development-wise and gaining weight like a champ. I'm trying so hard to hold out until six months to introduce solid foods, but you might have different ideas. We shall see what the next few weeks hold.

You'll hate me for this someday. But it's cute! You love your giraffe - and being naked.

Bug, my heart hurts just thinking of how much we love you. I love watching you, I love watching your Daddy with you, and I just love you. I revel in every new thing you discover. I glow when people compliment you. I am so proud and can't imagine my heart getting any bigger for you, but I know it will make room. Even when I'm tired, even when you've woken up in the middle of the night, even when you have an overtired meltdown, I still can't believe how much I love you. It's amazing how naturally all of this has come. I can't wait to meet more of you and continue our Momma-Lily adventures.

All my love,
Momma

Five month stats (no appointment this month)...
Diaper Size: Size 2
Clothing Size: 0-3 months, true 3 months, 3-6 are baggy
New Nicknames: Goober, Pukey Pants, Fusspot, Miss Fuss

Five month milestones...
Belly laugh: July 2nd
Sat by yourself: July 23rd

A Letter: Four Months (17 weeks actual, 11 adjusted)

Dear Bug,
And so we enter the age of everything-must-go-in-my-mouth-RIGHT NOW. Guess what? It's adorable. Slimy, yet adorable.

Om nom nom.

As predicted, your growth this past month has taken off. Not only have you put on over two pounds, but your melon has grown over an inch! You've had a few growth spurts that have been visible overnight, and every time you wake up from a nap, it seems like you spent that snooze gearing up different ways to try something new.

Must. Grab. Giraffe.

Oh little one, you are so curious. I love watching the neurons fire as you put two and two together; it seems like it only takes minutes for you to discover your ability to do new things. Last Thursday morning, you were completely anti-tummy time. That evening, I set you down to try again and you popped your head right up and looked around, happy as can be. Ten minutes later, you rolled over. I was so surprised! And thrilled I got to witness it. Now that you've learned that you can lift your head to watch the dogs, or look at your owl, you've decided tummy time is a-okay. Not to mention that when you're done being on your belly, you know how to flip yourself back over. You're trying so hard to go from your back to your tummy! You lead with your tush and it's the cutest thing ever! Once you get it, I can't wait to watch you roll and roll and roll.

Lily + Gramps

Ooh! Tummy time!

The month of June has definitely been the calm before the storm, as we're moving June 30th. Thankfully your Lolla and Gramps were able to visit at the beginning of the month - they haven't seen you since you came home from the hospital and your head was smaller than Gramps' hand! They were so excited to be able to interact with you more this time! You immediately took to Lolla, and she has a knack for putting you to sleep. You also had a ton of fun with Gramps and gave him lots of smiles. While they were here, you finally decided it was time to start sleeping through the night. I don't know if it was because your days were full, or all the new stuff you're learning, but Mommy and Daddy sure are glad to have you sleeping past 3am. Most nights you make it to at least 4, but sometimes it's even 5 or 6. Then you eat and go right back to sleep until 9! The hand-off for that wonderful 8-10 hours of sleep is that you hardly nap at all, but that's okay. Ample Mommy-Bug time!

Mommy's new supervisor.

Happy Bug in Mommy's dress

Now that you're awake most of the day, we do so much together. We read, play, and talk. You supervise me while I work. You have just recently become interested in toys, so now we play on your playmat a lot and you like to kick and grab your giraffe and go-go bugs. We've also been cleaning out the pantry in preparation for our move to Montana, so in the afternoons, you and I have been baking. I play some country music, put you in your Bumbo and then describe what I'm doing. I sing to you, name different cooking accouterments, and explain the ingredients. You love it - your attention span is just long enough that we can bake, dance, sing, and talk all in the time it takes for something to get done. Then we follow our baking extravaganza with a good snuggle.


You also have a new trick - squealing! It almost sounds like you're trying to laugh, but a short giggle followed by high-pitched squeal comes out instead. I can't wait to hear your first big belly laugh but the squealing is pretty darn cute too. And you, my little one, just love your Daddy; you save the best squeals for him when he comes home from work. I keep telling him he'll get the first good laugh out of you, just because you love him so much.

Daddy squeals

Bug, you are such an easy, happy little baby. I keep saying that but it's because it's true! We are so spoiled by your wonderful demeanor. This weekend will mark the end of our time in Arizona - we are moving you, the dogs, and all of our stuff back to Montana so that you can grow up near your family and friends. You and I will be taking your very first plane ride to Missoula this Saturday then spending the weekend with your Uncle JC. Here's to hoping that wonderful demeanor treats us as well in the air as it does on the ground.


Love always,
Momma

Snuggles

Four month stats (as of June 25th)...
Weight: 13 pounds, 12 ounces
Height: 24 inches
Head Circumference: 16.25 inches
Diaper Size: Size 1
Clothing Size: 0-3 months
New Nicknames: Goo, A-Goo, Spit Monster, Drool Monster, Baby, Smiling Fool

Four month milestones...
Rolled over (tummy to back): June 21st
Started grabbing toys: Week of June 11th
Started giggling while awake: Week of June 18th 

Months One through Three

What a difference three months makes! Such a big girl.

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