Emery was a lion for Halloween, thus the title of my blog post. Honestly I've never cared much for the Halloween holiday. I guess it's because I grew up in Alaska, and having to wear your snowsuit over your costume kind of takes the fun out of it all. But it was definitely more fun this year with a baby around.
Emery turned 4 months on Sunday, I can't even believe it. Where has the time gone?? You know I never thought I'd be one of "those" moms who had nothing to share but news about their baby, but here I am. Although really just on the blog - I promise if you talk to me in person I really don't say that much about her. I might stare at her the whole time, but I always remember my mom warning not to brag too much about your child because it will come back and bite you, so I try not to. Plus I get that unless you have kids yourself, most really just don't care about the intricacies of motherhood. I could listen all day to a mother share her stories and strategies for navigating infancy, but understand I am one of a rare few. I share on the blog because people have the option of not reading if they are not interested.
Oh how my life has changed in just a few short months!! Sometimes I wonder if I'm normal because I love her/motherhood/my new life so much. I've even had people say "You can be honest with me if it's been hard" and probably think I'm lying when I say I am being honest, I have honestly enjoyed every minute with her. Granted she is a great baby - something we can take NO credit for. And on the very rare occasion when she "really" cries because something is wrong, it absolutly breaks my heart and all I want to do is hold her close until she calms down and we both stop crying. We have only been on one date since she was born - not because we don't have people that will watch her, but because we just love being with her so much ourselves!! I guess since she's not talking or mobile yet, Jeff and I still feel like we get good quality time together even when she is around. We go walking together most evenings, and love staying in to watch a good movie. All in all we just feel tremendously blessed!! And I do let other people hold her..occasionally:) Seriously I will let anyone hold her if they ask, but don't expect me to offer because I love holding her myself!!
Here's an update on what's going on with our little princess, for anyone interested.
Save one bottle in the hospital, Emery has been on an exclusive diet of breastmilk up to this point. I think I'm still going to wait until 6 months to start solids unless my milk production slows down. She has definitely filled out - especially in the last month. We think she is around 14lbs right now, and close to 25 inches long. She goes in for her 4 month shots (which I am DREADING) in 2 weeks, so we will know for sure then. As far as personality goes - I hope she continues to be as laid back as she is now. For the most part she is pretty content wherever we set her unless she is tired or hungry. Yesterday we went on a 2 hour walk and she was happy as a clam in the sling up until the last 3 minutes because she was hungry. Hopefully she'll continue to love her walks and being outside, because that is something Jeff and I both enjoy.
She started moving to a 4 hour schedule last week, and is eating more at each feeding now (finally) after months of barely taking 2-3oz per feeding. Two nights ago she drank almost 8 ounces in her evening bottle! She typically goes to bed around 8/830 and is up between 5/6am for a feeding, then up between 630/700am for the day. She was sleeping until close to 8am, but with the time change she's been up at 630am the past 2 days, so we'll see if that sticks (I hope not!). She is probably old enough to cut out that 5am feeding, but most days I leave so early I would not get to see her if she didn't get up then, so I'm in no hurry to drop it.
She's been sleeping tightly swaddled up until the last week. I think we've successfully dropped the swaddle for all but our evening nap, but she still needs it at night. I left it off the other night, and she woke herself up several times flailing around in the middle of the night.
She is still doing great at daycare - aside from getting sick every other week the first month and a half. She is extremely social and loves to watch the other kids. She also does well with different people. She doesn't seem to mind strangers, or when my mom or sister pick her up from daycare.
Although she does smile a lot, she is also very serious and we have a hard time getting her smiles on camera. She started laughing about a month ago, but it's usually just one squeal at a time and not a consistent "giggle" yet. She also talks a lot - just like her daddy.
A month ago she started doing well with sleeping in my arms or in the sling when we're out and about. I don't know if it's because she is used to sleeping with a lot of noise at daycare, or is just a good sleeper in general, but I LOVE it. Not just the snuggling part, it also makes it so much easier going out if I know she can grab a catnap in the sling or in my arms. Although she normally takes 2 hour naps at home, if she can get 20-45 minutes on the go she is usually good as gold when she wakes up. They say around 4 months they start wanting to just sleep in their beds, so I am treasuring every second of this current phase. I wish she would nap more in her carseat when we are out and about, but hey, I'll take what I can get.
We are headed to New Orleans to meet our new baby cousin Caleb this weekend. All 4 of the grandgirls and five of their six babies will be united once again. I'm sure it's going to be a great albeit chaotic visit!!
I really hate whatever blogger has done with their photo upload, so there are just a few random pics at the top of the post. Hope everyone has a great week!
