How on earth is my baby already two months old?? Time really does fly by, despite how long some of the days may seem. This month grace's personality has really started to come out and she's only getting bigger and cuter each day! I'd like to think Ethan and I are getting better at this whole parenting thing, or else we are faking it really well. Grace, we love you and the patients you have with us. Here are the stats for month two, enjoy!
After a few too many blowouts she is up to size 2 diapers that are arguably still too big for her, but in this case "it's better in than out" the diaper! I think it's safe to say she definitely has her daddy's blue eyes that I can't help but stare into all day. She is going through that old man hair stage and balding around the backside but I have high hopes it'll start growing back in really soon so we can finally really tell what color it is.
Sleep - I would estimate she sleeps about 5-6 hour stretches...on the good nights. She's still not entirely sleeping in her own bed at nights but she has been doing 1-2 hour stretches at a time in her dockatot. I blame most of it on her cold and stuffy nose that keeps her fidgeting through the night. She just sleeps longer and better laying on my chest sitting at a more upright angle. I have to admit, I do love when she's asleep on my chest, it is such a relaxing and heavenly feeling. In fact, the only time I can take relaxing naps, is when she's sleeping on me, so that I know she is safe and sound. How's that for your typical first-time mom, huh?!
Eat - She is currently drinking 4-5 oz as long as she can stay awake and interested! We have decided to start supplementing with formula so she is ready when the breastmilk runs out. We are hoping she'll be able to adjust well to it and have a smooth transition when it's time.
Recent Milestones - Grace has been smiling a lot! She is especially smiley in the mornings. She'll wake up usually around 8 am just when the morning light is coming through our bedroom window and she just stares up at it smiling and trying her best to coo. It's a nice way to wake up every morning. Speaking of cooing, she's trying really hard to speak and getting better at it every day. It's the cutest thing to watch her mouth moving trying to figure it out and when she does, she smiles extra big like she is so proud of herself. And when she smiles, she really smiles. She smiles so big and you can even see it in her eyes. Tyra Banks would be proud!!
Special Moments – This month it was mostly just watching her little personality come out! She really is such a feisty little thing, which is exactly what she guessed she would be like! Even just from being in the womb. Grace did have her first outing with Grandma & Grandpa Hunt. Grandpa is actually known for taking random road trips/ adventures with his grandkids. They took us out to Glitter Mountain and lunch. We are sure this is just the beginning of many adventures with those two, they just can't get enough of little Gracie already! I hope she'll always have a special relationship with them. They were actually two of the people I was most excited to introduce Grace too. She's so lucky to have a few great-grandparents around still and I hope for a good many years of her life.
Dislikes - Ethan and I joke that Grace is Bipolar. She can be happy one moment and then not even a minute later be giving us this pouty look or cry. Especially when it comes to her diaper changes or rides in her car seat. We have learned a few tricks to help her in the car seat. She does much better if one of us sit back by her, usually momma. Then she is finally getting interested in electronic screens which distract her pretty well from the fact that she is riding in her least favorite seat. I'm not sure whether or not I like this trick. I don’t want a kid addicted to electronics...especially this young. But at this point I will do anything to be able to get somewhere without a screaming baby. She also seems to be getting stranger danger aware already. Sometimes she will all of a sudden get the saddest look on her face and she only calms down when I take her. Sometimes daddy. I have completely mixed emotions about this one. Mostly because I love that she just wants her momma but I also need that time when someone else can hold her for a minute and let me have a break. The majority of the time I just love it though! We'll see how long that lasts!
Mommy Update: I feel like I am finally beginning to understand what they meant about always being tired. Regardless of how much sleep I get, the worrying and stressing over a newborn sure can wear you out! I do however feel like I am getting the hang of things a little better. I am starting to figure out what her cries mean and what she wants which is a huge help. I am ready and cleared to start working out again and it has been hard getting back into it. Not necessarily the work outs themselves, but the motivation to get up and do them. Not to mention finding the time that my little one will let me set her down long enough to get a full workout in. I am learning to be creative, to do mom + baby work outs, or going on walks together. That one is our favorite so far, even if she doesn’t last in the stroller for the whole walk. Just means another arm workout for me, right!?
I’m learning to love baby-wearing. It really helps to be able to carry her and get things done around the house. Now if I could just get her to love it as much as me. It’ll come with time, I hope! It’s also been a bit of a struggle for me to not be at work from 8-5. I never thought I would miss it as much as I do. I think it’s mostly the social part of it, I miss my co-workers. Good thing I can always drop in for a visit. And I just have to remind myself, the work I’m doing now is much more important in the long run and where I NEED to be. I am just grateful for a hardworking husband who has a job to provide for us so that me staying home with Grace is a reality.
Things I look forward to in month three is Grace working on strengthening and using her little voice more. It is already the sweetest sound. I am excited for her to learn to sit up, to roll over, to reach out for us, to walk…the future is full of exciting milestones that I can’t wait for! But let’s just take it one month at a time!
** Goals for next month **
1. Help Grace to continue sleeping in her own bed for longer stretches at night.
2. Learn and experiment with more ways to help her enjoy her car seat.
3 . Believe that I am not just “doing nothing”. I’m doing the most important things.
Monthly Photo Dump
(click to enlarge)
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