Another Family Visit

This weekend we had a visit from Aunt Cassi and Grandpa and Grandma Ricks!  I hadn't seen them since last summer, so it was good to visit with them.  Grandma just wanted to hold you the entire time, and you were content to just sit with her.  Grandpa and Cassi helped around the house A TON!  I was sad to see them go, but hopefully we will go visit them sometime later this year.

Sometimes...

Having you here with us has been pretty amazing, Sophie.  But I have to be honest.  It has also been so hard at times.

In the beginning I just worried about everything - were you eating enough?  Was that cough okay?  Were you pooping enough?  Were you sleeping too much?  What was that spot on your stomach?

As those worries subsided one by one and we got to know each other better, things seemed to get somewhat easier.  But it was (and is) still hard.  There are still never-ending things to worry about and I constantly question whether I'm doing things right. 

It was really hard when Mommy first went back to work.  You were fine, but I missed having her here.  Since then you and I have found our stride and have a better schedule that helps both of us figure out what we're doing day to day.  

You sometimes get your days and nights mixed up which is hard on Mama since I don't sleep well during the day, but together we're figuring out how to balance enough naps with enough wake time during the day so that you'll sleep most of the night.

You continue to be such a good baby - rarely crying, sleeping 5-8 hours a night, and basically just being content with life - but that doesn't mean that figuring out this parenting thing and knowing what to do comes easily all the time...I'm sure the worry and fear is common with lots of new parents, and I find some comfort in knowing that.  

I wake up each morning knowing I will try my best, knowing that I love you more than I ever thought possible and knowing that with each passing day I am becoming more confident.  While being a parent will never be easy, it has become decidedly easier and less frightening over the past few weeks.  This truly is an adventure, and I'm happy that I get to explore it together with you and Mommy.

One Month

You turned 1 month old today!  I can't believe how fast the last month has gone!!  We love you so much and are so happy every day that you are here with us.  You really have been a good baby.  

You rarely cry and if you do it's only for a few seconds.  This usually happens when we change your clothes.  You HATE having your clothes changed!  You sleep pretty well most nights - 5 or 6 hours - and are generally a very happy and content baby.  You love sleeping with your hands by your head.  I hate swaddling you because I know you like having your hands up, but I also know you'll sleep better if your hands aren't able to flail about.  

   

You make the cutest "o" face that I just can't get enough of.

You are a pretty light eater.  Everything I read says you should be eating more, but the doctor says that as long as you're gaining weight we don't need to worry about it.  We went to your one month check up a couple of days ago - you are up to 9 pounds 0.5 ounces and are 21 1/2 inches long!

You have the best hair.  It's still hard to tell whether it's going to be light or dark.  After you get out of a bath it's a little curly or wavy and then as it dries it becomes a little frizzy.  Most of the time it's adorable but sometimes?  It's a little Donald Trump-esque:  

You have the TINIEST feet!  I love them and sometimes take off your socks and just stare at your toes (I swear I won't always be this weird!):

  

All in all the last month has been pretty amazing.  Here are some more pictures of your first month:  

First Bath

Today you had your first bath.  You weren't a fan - especially after getting dried off afterwards!  Once you were all cuddled up in the towel, though,  you were back to being your laid back, happy self.  

First Family Visit!

This past weekend Aunt Ang and cousins Gabs, Jake, and Noah visited!  It was so good to see them, and they were all smitten with you :)  

Photo Time!

We went in for professional photos a couple of days ago.  The problem was that the photographer was running late and it was FREEZING in the studio.  People kept opening the door to the outside, and the cold air would come rushing in.  You hated it and basically made a crabby face or cried the whole time which was a little odd because you hadn't really cried much before the photo session (and haven't since...note to selves:  Sophie doesn't like cold air!).  Here are a few of the pictures that turned out somewhat okay:

After that, I convinced Mommy to take some more photos at home that I think turned out much better - she is such a good photographer!

With a combination of at-home and professional photos we were able to order birth announcements - one more thing off the to-do list!

Mommy and I are finding our groove in this whole parenting thing.  We are getting on a better schedule and getting to know you better every day.  I love to spend time just staring at your beautiful face:

Mommy loves to hold you, carry you around, and talk to you about everything.  I love watching you two together...

Since the minute you were born you have loved sticking your tongue out.  People tend to think it means you're hungry, but we have learned that you just love sticking it out - hungry or not.  It's pretty cute at this point, but if you're still doing it when it's time to start school we may need to have a talk...

Ellie LOVES you.  Seriously.  She keeps a good eye on you all the time and is your fierce defender.  She checks all visitors out and sometimes refuses to let people near you - at which point she gets locked up in the bedroom :)  I love that she loves you and is such a good puppy around you.

Overall things are going well.  Mommy and I are tired, but it isn't as hard as what I imagined...you are breaking us in easy to this whole parenting thing.

Weight Check

Today we went in for a weight check - you were up to 7 pounds 13 ounces - finally above where you were when you were born!  So happy that you are continuing to grow big and strong.

1 Week

You're one week old!  I can't believe it!  Today you went to see your regular doctor.  I emailed her this morning, and she was able to fit us in today.  At the appointment your weight had gone back up (7 pounds 4 ounces!), thank goodness!  The doctor said you looked great, we should keep doing what we were doing, and come back in a couple of weeks for another weight check. 

After the appointment Mommy and I wanted to celebrate, so we took you out to your first restaurant - Which Wich!  You slept the whole time, but I'm pretty sure you loved it.  I know I did - it was my first non-toasted sandwich in 9 months :)

After we got home we all settled in for a nap.  It's been such a good week, but stressful as well.  Your Mommy and I worry about everything - we're still trying to figure out what is "normal" and what isn't (as I'm sure you are), but we'll all get the hang of it eventually!