Three Months

a silly face with a little hand holding

Elizabeth is three months!  Where has the time gone??

I have probably said this before about different ages/stages, but I sort of see the transition to three months as a big one.  For some reason babies just seem to "wake up" from their newborn stupor.  I am looking forward to seeing my little girl develop more social skills and start to become more content (hopefully), but at the same time I know that each new day/week/month is one less day/week/month that I'll be the mom of a baby.  I suppose I'll always see my children as my "babies," but Miss Elizabeth really is a baby who is growing. 

*sigh, sniff, sniff*  Let me take a moment to collect myself.  *sniff, sniff*

Okay, now that I've had that pity party, let me say how much fun it's become even in the last few days with Elizabeth.  She is just becoming her own little person.  She smiles so much more now and can laugh.  I love the big smiles I get from her!  It's amazing how a baby's smile can just make you feel happy!  She has rolled from her back to her tummy (opposite of the usual first rollover!  Is this a sign that she'll make her own path as a 4th kiddo?) but is still struggling with self-soothing and daytime sleep.  I feel like she's eating more/better, and it was good to see she'd gained 2 lb. and 1 inch at her 3 month appointment today.  She gave Dr. Jim a big smile, which was sweet to see.  I just sometimes feel like I'm a first time mom versus the mom of four. (Shouldn't having four kids count for something?  I suppose this is the first time I've been a mom to Elizabeth, though!)

This month I also went back to work.  That was sort of a hard adjustment.  I had dreaded hearing that my baby was a fussy one, and I did hear that a few times.  However, after a few weeks of being there everyone seems to be doing better.  She takes a bottle well, albeit slowly.  I, on the other hand, am having a harder time adjusting.  Being a working (even if it's only part-time!) mom of four is tough! With Caroline I didn't go back until the next school year so she was 7 months.  She had a nap routine and didn't need to be held or set in a swing all of the time.  I went back this early with Grant, but he slept the whole morning.  (That child was--and is--a champion sleeper!)  Only a few more weeks left, not that I'm counting down or anything!

Her siblings still love her, and it is nice to see the novelty hasn't worn off yet!  We shall see how it goes this summer when we are all home together all day.  Yikes!  That makes me a little anxious as I see it written!  I know that all the dread I feel on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights will be traded for more mediation of fights and power struggles.  However, it might be worth it???

Did I mention it's really hard to be a working mom?

The past three months have been fun, and I am excited to see what Miss Elizabeth does this month!

getting some tummy time with Jacques

more of a smile--not sure this really looks like her, but you can sort of see the dimples on the side of Elizabeth's mouth.

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.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Caroline!

Thank you, Pinterest, for the awesome cake idea!

My precious Caroline,

You truly are "sweet Caroline," just like the Neil Diamond song.  Everyone who knows you and meets you feels the same way we do.  You are happy, eager to please, and always have a quick smile.

You are definitely a little girl!  You love ballerinas and babies.  You snuggle with your dolls and are such a little mama to them.  Daddy and I love hearing you play with your babies.  You have a kind and caring spirit that is easily apparent to others. 

I love that all of the dinosaurs have their own bowls!

You began school this year and had no problem with it.  I always get great reports about how you sit and listen during circle time and do what you should during center time.  I love seeing your budding friendship with the other children in your class, especially with Emma, your best buddy since birth. 

You are also now a BIG SISTER!  You are so sweet with baby Elizabeth, always wanting to hold her and watch out for her.  You like to touch her hair and always ask if you can.  I love that you are so gentle and cautious with your baby sister.  You have not shown many signs of jealousy, for which we are so thankful! 


proud big sister!

As you turn three, I know from past experience that this can be a big transition year.  I pray that you would develop self-confidence while still maintaining your sweet, loving spirit. I pray that your friendships with the other girls in your circle would be encouraging and not discouraging.  My prayer for your life is that you would find your confidence in Christ, not in what others may say or do; that your friendships may be edifying; and that your heart may be pure.

I love you, sweet Caroline!  Happy 3rd birthday!
 

Daddy Daughter Dance

Last night Ryan took Caroline to a Daddy Daughter dance at the Y.  I figured with the new baby and it almost being her 3rd birthday, Caroline could use something special.  She was excited to have some alone time with Daddy, but I think one of her favorite parts was riding "Daddy's Car."  (That is quite the luxury around here!)

 

Caroline got all gussied up in her Christmas dress and finally put on her "church" shoes even though she wasn't going to church.  She even let me brush her hair and put a headband in it.  That is usually not as easy as it sounds, but I guess she wanted to look good for her date.  As she left out the front door with Ryan, all I could think was that, in a few years (okay, maybe more than a few, but time will fly I'm sure), she'll be headed out the door on a date with a boy who is not her daddy. 

 

*sniff, sniff*

 

Here are a few pictures to enjoy while I collect myself...

 

Daddy and his date

getting down/wondering why Daddy was taking a picture of her

enjoying lots of chocolate

coloring a picture

 

When Ryan brought her home she had partied her little self to sleep.  She became my regular almost-three-year-old again and was ready for bed.  Ryan said she was maybe a little too young for the dance, but I know she had a great time just hanging out with him.