Clara's 5 Months

Clara's 5 Months

{May 9, 2013}

This month got away from us, Clara!  

You are continuing to amaze us daily with your personality, growth and milestones.  We are so thankful that you continue to be a such a good sleeper - though we still need some work in the nap department at daycare.  

No more size 1 diapers, you are growing like a weed.  Which means we've also had to pack up your 3mo clothes.  This was so emotional for me, I can't believe how attached I'd gotten to some of your little outfits.  I guess I just want you to stay my little peanut.  

You are still only getting mommy's milk, but I guess at some point in the next month we'll have you try some veggies or fruit.  I'm just not ready yet - Ah! I wish I could keep you this size for just a little longer!

You are still loving your Bumbo seat and will happily play there while I cook or during dinner.  You are so good at entertaining yourself!  Sophie the giraffe and your stack of nesting cups are at the top of your favorite toy list currently.

So far you are hitting your milestones on the nose.  You began rolling from tummy to back shortly after turning 4 months.  You are very close to going from back to tummy - but I don't want to rush this one, I've been warned it will wake you up at night!  We are getting to hear those baby belly laughs more often, though, I still call you my silent observer - you are constantly assessing your surroundings.

This month I celebrated my 32nd birthday, and Sissy was nice enough to come down to watch you so we could go out to dinner.  We hadn't had a date night since before you were born!

I also got to celebrate my 1st Mother's Day.  What a special day.  We all gathered in Brookhaven for a crawfish boil on Saturday and had a quiet Mother's day on Sunday.  The weather was perfect, couldn't ask for a nicer weekend to celebrate being your mom.

We went to visit your Great, Great Aunt Lucy.  How fun was that!?!  

How sweet it is to be loved by you, Clara.  We are a happy, happy trio. 

Sleep, it does a body good.

It's really amazing how a good nights sleep just does a body good.  I got one last night.  Feeling rejuvenated after a week of getting up every 3 or so hours to do the mental debate - to nurse or not to nurse - that is the question.

Oop! I hearing some sweet little coos coming from the nursery! Happy Tuesday.

Clara's 4 months

Clara's 4 months

 April 9, 2013

What an eventful month this has been, with some ups and some downs.  Let's start with some ups:

• You were 12 pounds 3 ounces and 25 inches at your 4 month check-up.  You are a tough-girl and took those shots like a champ.  I will say, I'm not one of those lucky moms that has a baby that sleeps all day after shots.  You were pretty playful until a little fever set in when the sun went down.  A little Tylenol and you were contented.
• We still have you in size 1 diapers, though our next shipment will have to be upgraded to size 2.  You are wearing 3-6mo clothes; I can't wait to get you into some summer clothes soon.  The weather is warming up and I'm getting to see more and more of those adorable little toes.  No more hiding them in pesky socks!
• You are still eating only breast milk, four or so ounces every four hours.  I'm not ready to rush into giving you anything else, but we've been asked a couple time when we'll be starting rice cereal - maybe we won't?
• Your sleep is ever changing.  After you got sick [more on this later], you kinda stopped sleeping through the night.  You've been waking up between 1am and 2am.  For awhile, you could be appeased with the pacifier, but now your on to me, and you've added another meal to your diet.  We're just rolling with it, no need to stress, you'll work it out and let me get a full nights sleep one of these days.
• Your poopin' habits are pretty variable as well - you've been going every other day for a bit now.  And there been some epic outcomes!  You're so sweet and have saved them for your dad and I; your sweet little daycare teachers are virgins to the blowouts.

• Playtime is ever evolving and so much fun.  You are beginning to grasp objects with both hands, put everything in your mouth and even reach for things that aren't right in front of you.
• You rolled over for the first time on your 4mo birthday, from tummy to back three different times.  We've only been able to replicate this event once more - but you get yourself going during tummy time, so I know there is more to come of this fun little milestone.
• You've started loving teething rings and your Sophie the Giraffe.  We got you a light-up turtle for Easter which you like to bang on a bit.  I also set up your activity gym, you are still a little too small for it, but you tolerate sitting in the seat for a little while (even though your feet can't reach the ground).  

We had some not so great 'milestones' this month as well.  As I said last month, we started daycare this month.  This was really hard on the whole family.  Your dad and I didn't sleep well that night before taking you and it was even worse dropping you off - just setting you down and walking out the door.  Heart breaking.  You must have been so confused - ah - tears well up just thinking about that day.

After only fours days, you woke in the middle of the night with a 102 temp.  I was not ready for this so quickly after starting!  I guess I was jaded.  So, we kept you out of daycare for the rest of the week and a little into the next week - we couldn't get rid of that fever!  And thank goodness for those nasal aspirators, you were one snotty little munckin.  This, the NoseFrida, was recommended to me, it just came today - so we're armed a ready for the next virus to strike!

[I've waivered as to whether or not to mention this, but its what happened and we've moved on from it now.  All amends have been made.]

After you finally recovered from your first virus, we took you back to daycare.  On your second day back, you got a blistering sunburn.  It was not pretty and I will not be posting pictures of this horrible sight.  This was quite upsetting for all of us and your teachers were a little lost on words - we all were, really.  Changes were made at daycare and we're all doing a lot better.  Your sweet little face is almost healed, just one little spot where a blister popped is still smoothing itself out.  You are learning to love sun hats and having sunscreen lathered on your face. {A side note, just so you all know, with each blistering sunburn you double your chances of melanoma.  Please, please, please wear sunscreen and stay out of direct sunlight whenever possible.  It will save your life.}

Little Girl and her peeling face.  This is one tough cookie.

With that said, a few more highlights from this month.  My mom, Mommu [pronounced Mom-Mooooo], came to visit for a week.  We-had-so-much-fun.  You and Mommu experienced your first crawfish boil together at Keg and Barrel.  You also took Mommu to have her first Po'boy.  And the two of you had a blast together during the day while your dad and I were at work.  The week, of course, went too fast and we can't wait for her to come back!!

Don't mind this crazy outfit, sometimes you just need a little color in your life.

Crawfish Boil at Keg and Barrel.  I think I ate 20 pounds of crawfish...

We celebrated Easter in Memphis.  This was your first overnight trip and you did great!  Your cold was still lingering, so sleeping was not perfect, but we all managed.  Sissy hosted a 'sip and see' for you - Brunch with the Brady Bunch - the day before Easter, this was really fun.  You got to meet all your Memphis family and friends.  

Check out these four Brady Monkeys.

You are the highlight of our day.  We couldn't ask for a better baby.  We love you to pieces.

Postagram

I've been meaning to share this fun Instagram app - Postagram -  I found out about here.  

You get your first 5 post cards free - we sent ours to the grandparents and great-grandmas and they loved it!  

Here's the one I sent to myself to see what they looked like:

Little Girls sure has grown into that outfit in a hurry.

A nice 4x6" postcard with the picture of your choosing that can be popped out to stick on the fridge or frame or what have you.  

I wish there was more space to type a note, they limit the characters you can use so be brief.  

Other than that, it's a fun why to make someone's day.

We've also tried and really like the Postal Pix app.  

The 4x4" prints are good quality and a nice size.  

Clara has a nice little shrine beginning in our entry way; 

this will be fun to add to as we take more pictures.

Any one else have favorite ways of printing their iPhone pics?  

Do share.

Clara's 3 months

Clara's 3 months old

I'm sure with each monthly post, I'll be saying how fast the time is going, how much you are changing, and doing all this with only what I make for you - its all just so amazing.  I'm in a constant state of wonderment.  Clara, you've become a fixture in our lives.  The love I have for you is overwhelming. Intoxicating.

You are three months old today, March 9th, 2013 and growing like a weed.  We went to the doctor to have you weighed last week (paranoid-med-student-mom), 11 pounds 9 ounces - nothing to be worried about.  You've put on just about 5 pounds!

Since drafting this post, your eating habits have changed on me or I'm getting more lax...previously, you had been eating every four hours and sleeping from 10pm to 6am - awesome.  However, the past 3 days have been a bit different - you've reverted back to eating every three, maybe three and a half hours PLUS waking up at 3:30am for a little chomp.  Maybe your right on schedule for your 3-month growth spurt, either way, you are a bit of a scheduling nightmare for this type-A-likes-to-schedule-everything-mom.  Oh well. You are pretty sleepy in the morning and seem to eat less, but once the sun sets, let the feeding frenzy begin.  I guess you'll probably be a night-owl, just like your dad or maybe you'll take after me - a little bowl of ice cream before hitting the hay.

You are still in size 1 diapers.  We're finishing our last box of Pampers because we just received our first shipment of Honest diapers this week!  Ah - the patterns.  Hook.  Line. And Sinker, Honest Company.  You had me at "hello'.

Oh, the smiling and the cooing.  I'll never get tired of it.  You are extra vocal after diaper changes, laying on your changing pad looking around the room or watching us as we wave a rattle in your face - begging to hear your sweet little noises.

Thank goodness for your activity mat!  You've begun to reach for the hanging toys and love looking at yourself in the mirror.  You also love having something next your fingers, a blanket or stuffed animal, just something soft to feel.  Tummy time is more enjoyable now.  Again, you like to look in the mirror or at the houndstooth pillows on the couch.

When you get fussy, you need something to sooth you - your hand or your paci.  Distraction works well too, you love to look at the bookshelf or the pictures on the refrigerator.  And we still sit and bounce on the exercise ball, too.

We've begun working on a bedtime routine this month.  Since you like baths so much, we're doing this daily.  Then we bundle you up in your jammies and have one more feeding before you nestle down to sleep.  Nursing usually puts you into a deep slumber, but some nights are easier than others.  Your dad is pretty good at putting you to sleep in the rocking chair with the white noise going.  You're a great little sleepr, My Darling, I really can't complain too much - even if you wake up at 3:30am once in a while.

You still haven't started daycare!  We are so thankful for all the visitors that have come to help take care of you.  Sissy has come down quite a bit from Memphis to fill in while I finished my rotation in the ER.  Then, your Aunt Emi came last week while I started my psychiatry rotation.  And now, Mommu is in route from Minnesota to take care of you next week!  I never would have thought you'd be three months old before going to daycare.

You amaze us daily, Clara.  I pinch myself to make sure this is all really happening.  

You're the best thing I've ever done. 

Period.

February Sunshine

Yesterday proved to be the perfect day to take down the Christmas Lights [finally].  

It was nice to be outside, do a little pruning on the hydrangeas and see Little Girl basking in the sun.

I'm enjoying my week off, it will be my last for awhile.

Hope you are enjoying your week, too.

Clara's 2 months

Clara's 2 months

[So I'm a few days, err, a week late with this post.  In other news, I put in 48 hours in the ER this week! ]

{Warning: Photo-heavy post}

Clara, you are such a joy.  We love you more and more every day, if that is even possible.  You are continuing to grow and change before our eyes - but new this month - you are acknowledging us now! SMILING!!  And they melt our hearts each and every time. 

Speaking of growing, you hit the ten pound mark at your 2 month check up, 10lbs 3oz, in fact and you are 22.5 inches long. This ten pound mark was pivotal in another department as well, your newborn diapers were beginning to look a bit like bikinis on you and after a day filled with blow-outs - you are now in size 1s.  We are getting our first shipment of Honest diapers this month; the plan is to use these if your daycare isn't willing to use gdiapers.

Your poor little legs after 3 shots, but look at that cute Honest diaper!

You continue to love bath time and have graduated to the whale tub.  This is much better since you love kicking and splashing in the water.

The hardest part about this month was going back to 'work'.  It was good for both of us, but it made fore some lllloooonnnggg days waiting in anticipation to get home to you.  We are so thankful that family pitched in so we could keep you out of daycare this month and for most of next!  More than double the time we thought - you'll be 3 months before heading off to daycare!

You still love your walks and are starting to like tummy time a little bit more.  Despite this, your head control is improving every day.  You are eating [what I think to be 4oz] every four hours on the button, and pretty much continuing this into the night.  You did make it one night from 10:30p to 5:30a - and man, did I love that long stretch of sleep!

We ventured out of the house on a few outings this month, both with and without you, Clara.  Bo and I went to the USM v. Memphis basketball game.  We had a great time AND MEMPHIS WON!  We also went to Beer Club at Keg and Barrel, however this was not the experience any of us wanted.  A devastating tornado hit Hattiesburg that day.  We hunkered down in the basement and were safe and sound.  Unfortunately, this was not the case for many, but thankfully there were no fatalities.  This is a strong community, many groups have already begun pitching in to begin the long restoration process.  If you'd like to make a donation, here is the link to The Salvation Army.

The following is a photo stream from this month:

Mommy-Daughter Plaid-Day