Two months!

My baby girl is two months now.  I like these first three months because I can still say the number of weeks old she is, and it seems like she's still so little.  It makes me sad that in a few weeks I'll just be saying how many months old she is.

 

*sniff*

looking and smiling at the toys on her bouncy seat

Elizabeth is really becoming so much more alert!  She has discovered the toys on her bouncy seat and has started trying to hit them.  Much to her chagrin she still cannot get her thumb into her mouth, but she tries her hardest!  I am fine with her being another thumb or finger sucker, but I just feel so sorry for her when she gets so frustrated!  I think we will be trying a paci to see if she'll take that.

 

Sleep-wise, she's doing AMAZING at night!  She sleeps 10 hours at night and has even done 11!  Not bad for a two-month-old breastfed baby!  She's not a great day sleeper and only does 45 minute naps.  However, I cannot complain too much when I get those long night stretches! 

 

At her two month appointment she was 24 1/4 inches long (97% on the growth chart) and 10 lbs. 15 oz. (50% on the growth chart).  I have never had a baby that long weigh that little, so I'm hoping that she is still eating enough!  She has a bit of reflux, and I've cut out dairy, which seems to have helped the congestion she had.  If only we could figure out how to get rid of the spontaneous spitting up!

 

Elizabeth definitely prefers her mama and loves to be held.  She is a pretty serious baby but smiles at her siblings and mommy.  Poor Ryan.  She's still not quite sure what to do with him!  I know in a few years, though, she will be all over her daddy!

 

She hates her car seat, which does not bode well for all the traveling we do.  Hopefully that will change soon. 

 

As a family we have adjusted pretty well to having Elizabeth in our lives.  She is definitely well-loved by everyone and is becoming more fun all of the time.  I'm excited to see what this month holds!

Who does she look like?

One question we've been asked a lot is who Elizabeth looks like.  I find that to be sort of a difficult question, to be honest.  Even with my older kids I still feel like they look like themselves with bits and pieces of us and other relatives thrown into the mix.  The funny thing about her being the fourth, though, is that we compare her to our other children more than we compare her to ourselves as her parents.  I think that's normal??

 

Just for kicks and giggles I decided to post some pictures of our others at around 8 weeks of age.  I can see similarities in all of them--it's good to know they all sort of look like siblings!  However, Caroline was such a CHUNK of cuteness that it's hard to really compare any of her features because they're covered with cheeky goodness! :)  I mean, seriously?? Where did that all come from??

 



Jack, who looks more like my side

Grant, who looks more like Ryan

Caroline, who is a good mix

 

Elizabeth, who is also a good mix

 



So, to answer the question, I think that Elizabeth's eyes are more like mine and maybe her mouth shape is also.  Her nose and chin are more like Ryan's.  It will be fun to to see her grow and develop her own look but one that also belongs to our family.  I love my four babies!

The many faces of Elizabeth

Our baby girl is a very expressive, alert girl.  When she is awake (which is often during the day), she makes LOTS of different faces!  I thought I would give a peak into some of them within a brief period of time.  Well, the middle pictures are from the same five minutes.  The first (crying) and last (smiling) are from different days. I realize these are probably more interesting to family--sorry to those who would like more writing.  Maybe tomorrow...

 



I think she looks stinkin' cute in the bow, but she was not so impressed.  We'll keep working on it!

 

Finally, a smile. :)

 

Her first real smile at me.  How fun is it that we got it on camera, too!

One month--phew!

I love my baby girl!

 


Happy one month birthday, Elizabeth!

Miss Elizabeth is a month!  It's been interesting to have a newborn again as it's been three years since we had Caroline.  To be honest, I struggled at first with just being so tired and dealing with the daily grind of caring for three older kids along with a newborn.  I was frustrated that I was still dealing with my dumb high blood pressure (still am, by the way) and was just so exhausted!  Elizabeth could've been the world's most perfect newborn, and I think I still would have been spent. 



a sleepy smile

At the end of this first month, I can say Elizabeth is a great baby, and we are all still alive, fed, and love each other. 

I would call the month a success!

Elizabeth loves to be held and is SO alert!  She is always watching everything and loves looking at lights and her siblings.  She does NOT, however, like riding in the car.  That doesn't bode well for all the traveling we do--better get used to it, baby girl!  I've seen her smile a lot in her sleep but finally saw her smile AT ME on Thursday evening.  I love newborn baby smiles.

Growth-wise, she's doing really well.  She following in her siblings' footsteps and gained 2 1/2 pounds this month, putting her at 9 lb. 15 oz.  She also grew 1.5 inches and is now 22.5 inches.  I can see her cheeks filling out and her legs looking less chicken-like.  We're still not exactly sure who she looks like but do know that she has Ryan's chin for sure!  I often see glimpses of Jack, but it's still sort of hard at this age.

Elizabeth's brothers and sister love her! The boys are very attentive to her needs, and Caroline likes to hold her and pet her. :)

Jack also loves reading to Elizabeth.

 

Sisters already sharing secrets.  I pray that they'll be best friends.

 

Daddy with his girls

Grant cannot get enough of his littlest sister.  It is so sweet.