Nathan: One Month

Our little snuggle bug,

WOW! I can't believe that you are already a month old, Nathan! This milestone snuck up on me so quickly. I don't know if it was the holidays, having a newborn at home again, or if this is a preview of life to come with two little ones, but there is never a dull moment at our house.  We seem to be finding our groove a little bit better with you than we did when we brought your sister home. (I guess the saying that your first is your "guinea pig" is true! lol!) Neither of us seems as nervous taking care of you, and you have been on the go with us all the time. You have been to Grandma's house, Isabella's birthday party, two Christmas Eve get togethers (Tiffanie's and Aunt Melissa's Houses), Mommy's Christmas Party at work, Grandma's office, the hair salon, Sesame Street Live, Chick-fil-A, several shopping adventures, a few restaurants, and the doctor's office for check-ups.

Katie and Nathan, November 30th

First Outing to see Dr. H, December 2nd

At Sesame Street Live, December 17th

You have been such a good baby; we are truly blessed. The first two weeks we were home, I was so surprised that you were settling into a little routine of your own, already! You have been eating every two-three hours during the day, and every four hours at night from the first week (about 8-10 times a day). I worried originally that you would get your days and nights confused, but you have been really good at staying alert during "day" hours and going right back to sleep after you eat at night. On the 23rd, you slept from 10:30pm to 4:00am and have been trying to keep the same pattern for the last week. What a wonderful Christmas gift that has been to mommy!

Snuggling with Grandma, December 11th

First Bath, December 11th

I am also very grateful that you have been doing so well nursing. This was something I struggled with greatly with Katie, so I tried not to have such high expectations for our nursing relationship. I really hoped you would nurse well in the hospital that way you didn't have to battle jaundice, but I was fully prepared to pump breast milk from day one if you wouldn't nurse. I need not be concerned, though! You have been latching well and nursing like a champ from the very start. I have gotten a lot more comfortable nursing you while we are out and about, although you really don't like to hide under the blanket. You love to look around and see what is going on.

Both our babies love bath time, December 15th

You are so alert! You have been eating around 8 or 9am and staying awake for quite awhile after that. You usually have a good nap through lunch time and then you stay awake for some time during the afternoon and in the evening. The times always vary, but you are a very alert baby. You seem to do pretty well with tummy time, too. You like to look around, make cute "aahh" sounds (first time on the 22nd), and try to flip over onto your back. You have actually done this three times already. The first time you flipped over, I thought it was a fluke. Then a couple of days later, on the 17th, you flipped over during tummy time in the living room. Last week you flipped over while doing tummy time in the bedroom! You are so strong and are able to lift yourself up really well for a one month old. Your legs are really strong, too. If fact, when you were born you had such a strong kick and muscle definition in your thighs!

December 13, 2011

You have grown so much this past month. At your two week check-up, you were up almost a pound from your birth weight! If I had to guess, I think you weigh around nine pounds now. I put most of your newborn clothes away when you were two weeks old because you were already 8 lbs, and they seemed to be fitting more snug. In a short two weeks, you have been filling out your 0-3 month clothes nicely. Your little legs are starting to get chunky, even. I am already starting to gather your 3-6 month clothes as I am sure you will be wearing those before I have to return to work. You are wearing size one diapers, as well.

December 22, 2011

A short list of your developments this month:
-Lifting your head when lying on your tummy
-Responds to sounds (I especially love how you seem to calm down at the sound of my voice)
-Stares at faces
-Follows objects briefly with eyes (you were tracking daddy's face when you were only a couple of weeks old)
-Vocalizes: oohs and ahhs
-Holds head at 45-degree angle
-Smiles, although you aren't smiling back at us when we smile at you, you have lots of random smiles though out the day
-You have been moving your arms around a whole lot more this past week, but I am not sure that you officially "recognize" them just yet.

Katie and Nathan, December 15th

Having you here with us, Nathan, is such a wonderful feeling. I love that your arrival has made our family complete. We are all so in love with you and can't get enough of your snuggles and hugs. Always know how much your family loves you and how special you are to us! We love you so much, sweet baby boy.

Love,
Mommy