One Month Old!

Dear Scarlett,

You are one month old today!

Somehow, the 9 months spent waiting for you were the longest of our lives.  But your first month here with us just flew by!  I guess it's because you kept us so busy!

You are such a sweet baby!  The first week we almost never heard you cry!  Since then, you have definitely let us know you have some serious lungs.  But you only seem to use them when you are either a.) hungry, b.) having your clothes changed, or c.) wanting to be held.  You also used to scream and cry during bath time, but suddenly you seem to love it lately!

You are quite the little snuggle bug.  You don't let Mommy or Daddy put you down unless you are sleeping!  We think you're too young (and cute!) to be spoiled, so we always indulge.

At night you usually sleep in 2- or 3-hour stretches. You go down for the first time around 10 PM, and are usually up for the day anywhere between 6 and 9 AM, so that means you're usually up 3 times during the night for about an hour each time.  Mommy doesn't mind, because she loves the time with you all to herself!  You still sleep for a good portion of the day too, so that gives Mommy a good chance to nap!

Your first weeks at home were a bit stressful, because you were jaundiced and having trouble gaining weight!  You weighed 5 lbs, 3 oz when you were born, but 2 weeks later you had dropped to 4 lbs., 12 oz.  Luckily, your jaundice cleared up quickly with the help of a glowing bili blanket that we had to keep on you 24/7 for about 5 days.  And your weight gain finally picked up momentum.  At your appointment a week-and-a-half ago, you were up to 5 lbs, 6 oz.  We have another appointment on Wednesday, and I can't wait to see how much you've gained!  

It is amazing to see how much you've changed in just 1 month!  Your first few days, it was rare to even see you with your eyes open.  Now you'll go hours at a time, wide awake!  Everyone is amazed at how alert you are.  You like to watch mommy and daddy while we talk to you.  You also like to watch the cats, the little teddy bear rattle from Grandma, and you like to look out the window.  You have quite the personality already, and you crack us up with your funny faces!  Your half smile is our favorite:

For as little as you are, we cannot believe how strong you are!  you like to push off of us with your arms and legs when we're holding you.  If I put you on your belly, you push up off of your belly on your legs.  You can support your head on your own for a few seconds at a time, and you lift it up when you're laying on your back or belly.  You also seem to have Daddy's long limbs, so he hopes that means you'll be tall! ...and an athlete.  And Mommy hopes that means you'll be a ballerina.  Of course, we will be happy if you are either, both, or neither of those things.  We just know God has amazing plans for your life, and as long as you live to honor Him, it doesn't matter what you do!

Your first month of life was pretty eventful!  Daddy had two weeks off from work, so we got to spend a lot of time together as a new family of three.  It was such a special time, and we'll never forget those first few weeks!  We kept very busy!  You went on a lot of outings, including: doctor's and hospital visits, shopping trips, church, Daddy's softball games, walks with Mommy to the post office, Family get-togethers, Great Grandma Steer's funeral and calling hours (we are so glad you got to meet her before she passed away!) and even the zoo for Aunt Julie's birthday!  We made some fun memories, even though you were asleep during most of them!  

Here's what you looked like during your first month of life: 

What a cutie!

We love you so much, and can't wait to continue to watch you grow!  Although we also kind of wish we could freeze time and just keep you this tiny and cuddly forever!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy