Grace: one month...

My darling Grace,

You are ONE MONTH OLD!  It's so insane because, on one hand, it seems like yesterday that we were bringing you home from the hospital.  But on the other hand, you absolutely and completely fit, and it feels like you've been a part of our family forever.

Here are your one-month stats:

One Month at a Glance

Weight:  ? (we don't go back to the pediatrician until your two-month appointment)

Length:  ?

Eating:  3.5 to 4 ounces every 3 hours during the day and every 4 to 4.5 hours at night

Sleeping:  4 to 4.5 hours at a time at night, usually an hour or so in between feedings

Diapers:  size 1 (you've worn size 1 since you came home from the hospital, you chunky girl!)

Clothes:  newborn (some newborn onesies are getting difficult to snap!) and some 0-3 months

Things You Love:  your MAM pacifiers, cuddles, Tommee Tippee bottles, bath time (as long as we keep your legs covered with warm wash cloths), your bottom being patted, being swaddled, conversations with Mommy and Daddy, being held, your bouncy seat, your swing

What You Can Do This Month:  reach for things, smile (although I think these smiles might still be gas), hold your head up, pull Mommy's hair, recognize Mommy's and Daddy's voices

You are such a good baby, little girl.  You are completely happy 90% of the time.  You only fuss when you're hungry, dirty, or occasionally when you're, ahem, in the process of making a dirty diaper. :)  Your waketime has increased significantly, and we spend a lot of time looking at and talking to one another these days.  When you're awake, you're so wide-eyed; your Mamaw says that you look like an owl.

Eating:  Since we've switched you to formula, you've consistently gone 3 hours between feedings during the day.  At night, you've gone as long as 6 hours (Mommy didn't mean to let you go that long - she set her alarm for p.m. instead of a.m.!), but you usually go 4 to 4.5 hours.  You're eating 3.5 to 4 ounces at each feeding.  I worry that I'm overfeeding you, but you down every bottle like you've never eaten before, and the pediatrician says we're right on track. 

Sleeping:  You sleep like a champ at night, sweet girl.  Mommy is so thankful that you finally got your days and nights figured out because at first I was only getting an hour or so of sleep at a time.  Now, you fall asleep almost immediately after each feeding, and since you're going 4 to 4.5 hours between each feeding, Mommy's getting sleep in 3.5 to 4 hour stretches.  Whoo hoo!  During the day, however, you're not as consistent.  Although you'll sometimes sleep for an hour or hour-and-a-half at a time, you often prefer to take a few small catnaps between each feeding.  It's not a problem right now since you're generally so content when you're awake, but I hope you eventually learn to take real naps so Mommy can have an hour or two at a time to get things done. :)  You also occasionally fight falling asleep during the day, but if I swaddle you, you usually fall right asleep.

 

I honestly couldn't have asked for a more perfect or easy baby, and I am so excited to watch you continue to grow and develop.  We're in for a fun adventure, sweet love!