Our sweet baby girl is one month old and I can and can't believe it all at the same time. I feel so fortunate to have this time off from work and to have so much help, because it's really allowed me to soak up every moment with her. Staring at her all day and watching everyone love on her has just been the sweetest way to spend every single day. She has already taught us so much about patience and control (to let go of it) and how to love on a different level. She has brightened up our life and while I will admit to still learning how to completely adjust my frame of reference to how I think about EVERYTHING, she makes it all worth it.
As wonderful as life has become, there certainly are days (or really more like hours) that I am so sure I am doing everything wrong and I really think I'm going to screw her up somehow; but I am wise enough to know that's pretty normal and I am confident that I am doing the best I can. Thanks to a strong support group of friends and family, I have learned it's really O.K. to be honest with yourself (and with others) and it's more than normal to cry and have bad days. The whole concept of bringing home a newborn baby and now you're in charge of every minute and every second of that little person's life (and you can read all the baby books in the world...but I swear nothing prepares you well enough) can be really scary and at times very daunting. I have learned (or been told a bajillion times and I'm still trying to learn) that I really need to cut myself some slack and know that I am doing everything I can and this baby is healthy and that is what is important right now. For me personally I think it's hardest that she's not to an age where we can establish any kind of schedule...and that has just kind of turned my world upside down! Again, you witness the lack of control you have and I am really, really working on embracing it. :)
As wonderful as life has become, there certainly are days (or really more like hours) that I am so sure I am doing everything wrong and I really think I'm going to screw her up somehow; but I am wise enough to know that's pretty normal and I am confident that I am doing the best I can. Thanks to a strong support group of friends and family, I have learned it's really O.K. to be honest with yourself (and with others) and it's more than normal to cry and have bad days. The whole concept of bringing home a newborn baby and now you're in charge of every minute and every second of that little person's life (and you can read all the baby books in the world...but I swear nothing prepares you well enough) can be really scary and at times very daunting. I have learned (or been told a bajillion times and I'm still trying to learn) that I really need to cut myself some slack and know that I am doing everything I can and this baby is healthy and that is what is important right now. For me personally I think it's hardest that she's not to an age where we can establish any kind of schedule...and that has just kind of turned my world upside down! Again, you witness the lack of control you have and I am really, really working on embracing it. :)
As for my husband, I knew all along he would be a great dad, but he has truly blown me away this last month. He loves our baby girl with every ounce of his being and to watch the two of them together is like nothing I've ever felt before. She is going to be a daddy's girl that's for sure. I love snuggling with the two of them in the mornings and our "movie nights" on the weekends are my favorite! He does little baby voices pretending to "talk" for her and it cracks us all up.
Blaire - 1 Month Old
This month your height is 21 inches and your weight is 9lbs., 7oz.
Your sleeping patterns are... Interesting! The nights have always been great, which is why I kick myself for even complaining about anything else. From night #1 at home, this girl will fall asleep sometime between 9:30-11:30pm and sleep until around 8-10am. This is of course with her middle of the night feedings (which are usually around 2-3am and 5-6am), but overall the nights have been a gift from Heaven. Now...during the day? That's the interesting part. The first two weeks I think she slept a combined 20 hours a day so there were no complaints. Now with some tummy issues she's having I think she has some trouble sleeping during the day so that makes for an exhausted baby (and mama). Some days she will go back down in the mornings pretty soon after she wakes up and might take a morning nap. Some days she has a rockin' afternoon nap that might last a few hours. Some days she takes an early-evening nap that allows Mom and Dad to eat dinner at the same time. Common denominator: there is no common denominator. :) Soon! I'm hopeful that over the next 4-6 weeks we can start to figure out a little more of a routine.
Your feeding schedule is... Changing! The first 3-4 weeks are a very routine every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I think around week 3 she started doing one 4 hour window at nighttime (per the doctor allowing it), and just in the last few days she's jumped to two or three 4 hour windows throughout the night/day. I am breastfeeding exclusively right now, minus the bottle that my parents had to give her when Hubby and me had date night last Saturday at a wedding that was an hour away. Breastfeeding was another thing she was a champ at so I've just continued because it's been pretty smooth sailing. My plan was always to introduce the bottle on day one and have Jason help out with a feeding, but since she nursed so well and he was so helpful with everything else, I honestly do not mind doing all the feedings. This could most definitely change by month 2. :) We shall see!
Some sounds and motions you make are... We've got a little monkey on our hands! She does the "ooo-ooo-aaa-aaa-aaa" juuuuuust like a monkey and it's hysterical. She "talks" to us a little bit when she's in a good mood and playing around, and she loves to stretch out all the time. She is holding up her head like a champ (with our hand right behind it at all times of course) and that's probably the thing I'm most looking forward to - when she can completely hold it up on her own. Oh, to have two hands again!
Your likes and dislikes are... Likes: Dancing around the kitchen, listening to Disney Pandora station, she's coming around to bath time (now that she's able to get INTO a bath rather than being bathed on the counter), car rides, and being walked around the house to look at anything and everything. Dislikes: Getting her diaper changed (the stories I've heard about babies liking this I just cannot believe at the moment; she hates it SO much!), going #2 (makes her bright red and grunty...which is unfortunate because she does this all. day. long.), and burping. I wouldn't say she dislikes burping...she just never does it. Hence the tummy problems. :(
Your favorite toys and games are... Right now a black and white rattle is the highlight of this girl's toy chest! She is coming around slowly to her bouncer and swing if that counts.
By the end of the month you are learning to... She has made some big changes over the last week or two: She is able to really look at us in the eye and hold a stare for awhile. That is the best - when she's looking back into your eyes. She's also learned to grip a bit more and holds our fingers (and mama's necklace ;) ). It is truly fascinating how quickly things change with a newborn!
Your sleeping patterns are... Interesting! The nights have always been great, which is why I kick myself for even complaining about anything else. From night #1 at home, this girl will fall asleep sometime between 9:30-11:30pm and sleep until around 8-10am. This is of course with her middle of the night feedings (which are usually around 2-3am and 5-6am), but overall the nights have been a gift from Heaven. Now...during the day? That's the interesting part. The first two weeks I think she slept a combined 20 hours a day so there were no complaints. Now with some tummy issues she's having I think she has some trouble sleeping during the day so that makes for an exhausted baby (and mama). Some days she will go back down in the mornings pretty soon after she wakes up and might take a morning nap. Some days she has a rockin' afternoon nap that might last a few hours. Some days she takes an early-evening nap that allows Mom and Dad to eat dinner at the same time. Common denominator: there is no common denominator. :) Soon! I'm hopeful that over the next 4-6 weeks we can start to figure out a little more of a routine.
Your feeding schedule is... Changing! The first 3-4 weeks are a very routine every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I think around week 3 she started doing one 4 hour window at nighttime (per the doctor allowing it), and just in the last few days she's jumped to two or three 4 hour windows throughout the night/day. I am breastfeeding exclusively right now, minus the bottle that my parents had to give her when Hubby and me had date night last Saturday at a wedding that was an hour away. Breastfeeding was another thing she was a champ at so I've just continued because it's been pretty smooth sailing. My plan was always to introduce the bottle on day one and have Jason help out with a feeding, but since she nursed so well and he was so helpful with everything else, I honestly do not mind doing all the feedings. This could most definitely change by month 2. :) We shall see!
Some sounds and motions you make are... We've got a little monkey on our hands! She does the "ooo-ooo-aaa-aaa-aaa" juuuuuust like a monkey and it's hysterical. She "talks" to us a little bit when she's in a good mood and playing around, and she loves to stretch out all the time. She is holding up her head like a champ (with our hand right behind it at all times of course) and that's probably the thing I'm most looking forward to - when she can completely hold it up on her own. Oh, to have two hands again!
Your likes and dislikes are... Likes: Dancing around the kitchen, listening to Disney Pandora station, she's coming around to bath time (now that she's able to get INTO a bath rather than being bathed on the counter), car rides, and being walked around the house to look at anything and everything. Dislikes: Getting her diaper changed (the stories I've heard about babies liking this I just cannot believe at the moment; she hates it SO much!), going #2 (makes her bright red and grunty...which is unfortunate because she does this all. day. long.), and burping. I wouldn't say she dislikes burping...she just never does it. Hence the tummy problems. :(
Your favorite toys and games are... Right now a black and white rattle is the highlight of this girl's toy chest! She is coming around slowly to her bouncer and swing if that counts.
By the end of the month you are learning to... She has made some big changes over the last week or two: She is able to really look at us in the eye and hold a stare for awhile. That is the best - when she's looking back into your eyes. She's also learned to grip a bit more and holds our fingers (and mama's necklace ;) ). It is truly fascinating how quickly things change with a newborn!
We have love, love, LOVED all the family and friends that have come and met our baby girl over the last month. She will be able to look back at these pictures forever of all the love that surrounds her. :)
Aunt DeDe and Spencer were our first visitors at the house after bringing baby girl home from the hospital!
Aunt Jeri loving on baby Blaire
Sweet Mimi
Aunt Katie came to Blaire's first doctor appointment! She learned a lot ;)
Aunt Shannon was back for Blaire's first weekend at home and would magically rock her back to sleep every time she even remotely fussed.
Marty loves Blaire! This was our first car ride after the hospital; my Mom and Dad cooked us a huge meal and we got to eat with the whole family. :)
Snug as a bug on Grandpa's shoulder (sans her bow...you will see this a lot when she's around Grandpa!)
Aunt Ashley and Uncle Kevin are such naturals and we can't wait for them to have babies so Blaire has some cousins around her age! ;)
Honey and her little toot!
Jojo came to see baby girl! She drove in from Austin just to spend some special time with her.
My Deacon girls came to see Blaire at the hospital on her first day!
So did Kristin and Ashley! She is so loved. :)
Travis and Jessie!
Meredith loves baby girl so much. She can't wait for her and Nolan to meet each other!
Some of my most favorite girls in the world. Nothing says love like your childhood besties meeting your baby girl for the first time!
The Biggs' came to see her and bring us pizza!
Aunt Darla's sweet kisses.
Dana (and baby Brooke!) got a nice surprise when she came to visit. Our first "explosion"!
Proud Papa
Dolly brings Blaire the cutest dresses! We can't wait to play dress up!
Zach came... and then my husband convinced him to build a deck in the backyard! ;)
Singing and dancing with Mimi is Blaire's favorite!
Cara and Sarah brought us yummy cupcakes and loved on baby girl. Her first visitors!
Blaire had the privilege of meeting her Great Grandma on her 84th birthday! What a special day this was! So much love.
Baby-stealer Heather! ;)
Laura and Grandma and Blaire getting some fresh air at the lake!
Sweet Jackson and Laura giving Blaire kisses.
Aunt Dorothy's turn! She would've nursed her if she could've ;)
Aunt Donna and Uncle Larry finally got a turn!
Emily came to see baby girl - all the way from Las Vegas! So happy she was able to meet her.
Many hugs to every single one of our family and friends who have come to see and spoil our baby girl with love and gifts. I truly have the most wonderful memories of everyone coming over and meeting her over the last month. Words cannot express our gratitude for all the help and guidance we have received. It takes an army to raise a baby...and we are so lucky to have the best of the best helping us along this journey!
XO
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