Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd we're off! Finally, I've gotten up the energy and motivation to get this blog going!! It's been a long time coming, but I've finally done it. There is so much to say to help you all get to know me and my type A, neurotic, perfectionist, borderline insane, yet fun-loving & hilarious-or so I think-self (be. afraid.) along with my amazing and crazy family. I promise to back up and start from the beginning at some point, but since it's our daughter Noelle Elizabeth's 1 month birthday, I HAD to sit down and get out a mooshy-gooshy post to help her understand how much we've enjoyed being her parents for the first 30 days of her life. We'll get back to how we got her here later...... okay, so maybe not exactly how we got her here, but all of the other details- like one of the most insane labor experiences. ever. PERIOD. Until then, go on and enjoy my sappy love story for my daughter. Go ahead. You'll fall in love too. :^)
**Here's where your daddy replies with some conceited, ridiculous comments about being perfect and some other mumbo jumbo that mommy tunes out and ignores. First bit of advice, you should probably ignore it too. Daddy is NEVER serious about anything, and we don't want your first sentence to be "Look at me, I'm perfect," though I'm sure your daddy would love that. Anyone who knows your daddy and is currently reading this completely agrees with mommy. Remember that. Mommy knows best. ;^)**
Oh Ellebelle, there is so much to share with you about our exciting time together during these first 30 days, that it would take at least 20 posts to get it all down! Mommy promises to tell you all of the details from your first night home, your scary emergency room visit, mommy and daddy's (well MOMMY'S) countless sleepless nights, daddy's amazing back workout- the famous bounce to sleep technique, and so much more at another time. For now, mommy will share just a few details about YOU. Thank you to mommy's friend Bethany for the great idea for how to save and share this information with our princess.
*Disclaimer: Okay, so this is an insanely long post. I know I said I wouldn't say every detail. I lied. Enjoy.
Here is what you looked like on your 1 month birthday:
Ellebelle, mommy was so excited for your one month birthday to arrive. Before you were born, mommy spent countless hours searching for the perfect stickers for you to wear on all of your special monthly birthdays. Mommy was so thrilled when she finally came across the sticker you are wearing in the next photo. You have 11 more just like it! Mommy also spent some time creating another enormous flower clip for you to wear (or pull down over your eyes) on this special day in your life. Mommy hopes you love them as much as she does.
You looked beyond adorable (like you always do), so mommy decided to play photographer and take MANY photos of you with all of your accessories during your peaceful nap. Here are a few more of the photos mommy took of you that day.
During this first month of your life, you have earned many nicknames. In fact, we find ourselves calling you by these names more than your actual name! Here are the names mommy and daddy like to call you:
Mommy: Pookie, Pook, Belle, & Princess Girl
Daddy: Elles-Belles (derived from ACDC's Hell's Bells- and he even sings the chorus to you using your nickname instead. Mommy's not a fan of the song choice, but you certainly like it when he sings...ERR...screeches/howls it to you), & Sweetie-Pie
M & D: Elle, Ellebelle, Ellie, & Fuss-butt (when you are on the whiny side)
We love using different voices to say your various names because we love seeing the new and different facial expressions that you make with each sound.
You will have your first well check at Dr. Carrie's office tomorrow, September 24th. Mommy's not sure, but we're guessing you will probably weigh about 9lbs and are 21.5 inches long. We'll soon see if mommy and daddy are right! You have grown so much in such a short period of time. You have recently graduated from newborn diapers and have been wearing size ones for a little over a week. They were a little long on you at first, but with the way you've been growing, it almost seems like you could be in a size 2 by next week! You are currently wearing 0-3 month clothes. The onesies are still a tiny bit too long for you, but they definitely fit in the waist! We haven't been able to put you into your 3 month pj's yet because they are way too long, but you will probably be fitting into them in the next week or two.
Mommy has been breastfeeding you and has not used any bottles, so it's hard to say how much you are eating during each feeding, but I'm guessing it's between 2-3 ounces. However, you are an eating machine! You have become much better at latching over the past few weeks, and do your best feedings during the middle of the night and throughout the morning. We do not have a timed out feeding schedule, but you are eating every 2-3 hours and eat anywhere from 9-13 times a day! You tend to eat the most during the evening hours. Sometimes you eat once an hour for 4-5 hours straight! It can be very tiring for mommy, but we get through it. Mommy thinks you eat so much at night to stock up for a longer night's sleep (and she REALLY appreciates it too). You are getting better at burping after your meals, but still cover mommy in a milk river every now and then. You also get the hiccups quite a bit. Sometimes 4-5 times a day! They sound painful, but you smile your way right through them. You are our tough little girl!
Throughout this month, you have not had much of a sleeping schedule. Sometimes you sleep most of the day and are up for 3 hours straight in the middle of the night, and other times you are wide awake all day and tend to fight your naps. But those are the days that you sleep for most of the night. We've recently started using the SwaddleMe wraps for your overnight sleep, and they have worked wonders! You have been sleeping 5 to 5 1/2 hours straight, fussing for a middle of the night snack, then returning to sleep for 2-3 additional hours. This has made mommy VERY happy. Please keep it up! :^) You are still sleeping in your Rock & Play sleeper right next to mommy's side of the bed. This makes overnight feedings/diaper changes much easier for mommy, plus it's comforting having you so close-by throughout the night.
Since we've gotten you home, you've enjoyed hanging out in your bouncy seat and your swing. But mostly, you love being held by your mommy and daddy. We've walked, glided, swayed, and danced with you, but your favorite type of movement has been bouncing on the exercise ball with your daddy (or pretty much anyone who will do it with you). You also enjoy car rides and rides in the stroller. You are definitely a mover. Whether someone is moving with you or you are alone, you are constantly moving. Mommy thinks it's from all of the long walks and spin classes she took while you were in her tummy.
You are also a lover of music. Whenever we are in the nursery having play time, changing your diaper, gliding in the chair, or feeding you, we are playing music. Some of the music you have enjoyed and stayed the most calm to have been The Beatles, Coldplay, The Fray, Elton John, Billy Joel, and pretty much any song with a piano playing. You also like to listen to jazzy style lullabies at night, especially around 3am (when mommy is losing her mind with tiredness and isn't sure what else to do- it works!)
You had your first bath on Saturday, October 8th. You didn't put up a fight at all. Mommy washed your body while daddy washed your hair. You were so content with the whole experience and have enjoyed bath time ever since. It's one of mommy and daddy's favorite things to do with you together. We are looking forward to the days when we are splashing and playing with toys in the tub too.
Something that has been astonishing to mommy and daddy (and everyone who has met you), is your CRAZY strength! Five minutes after you were born, grandpa and daddy witnessed you whip your head from one side to the other. INCREDIBLE! At 3 days old, daddy, mommy, grandma, and grandpa all witnessed you, while laying on your back, lift your legs in the air, and whip your body from one side to the other. ASTONISHING! During the scary visit to the ER, all of the doctor's marveled at how strong and "feisty" you were because you were trying to lift and move your head without any help (and that was after being completely dehydrated and stuck 10-12 times with needles). You have always done that. It makes it extremely difficult to burp you because you push off and don't want your head to be held at all. You are so independent! You have been gripping mommy and daddy's fingers from day one, and that grip has gotten stronger and stronger each day. During tummy time, you are already scooting your body across the mat and trying very hard to push your body and head off of the ground. UNBELIEVABLE! Ellie, you are so amazingly strong! We think you could be a gymnast, a dancer, or even a karate star! You can do anything!
We first noticed (actually, daddy was first to see) your giant dimple during your first day at the hospital. You made a strange face and we saw it sink into your cheek. It was the most adorable thing we've ever seen, and we were both thrilled that you had a feature that we BOTH share. We couldn't wait until you smiled really big so we could see it in action. You've always done small grins, especially in your sleep. But you let out your first GIANT open mouthed smile on Friday, October 21st- exactly 4 weeks from the day you were born. We think you really liked your holiday outfit that day. You've been smiling big ever since.
For the past couple of weeks, you have been making the silliest faces. You have tried to mock the faces that both mommy and daddy make. You even managed to pull off your first "Blue Steel" look from Zoolander. You made mommy and daddy so proud that day! Mommy and daddy also love all of the little sounds that you make. Your pig grunt is mommy's favorite. It makes her laugh every time. It's definitely the cutest noise you make (next to that pig snort you do when your hungry- now that's really funny!) This may sound cruel, but sometimes mommy will intentionally wait an extra minute or two to feed you, just so she can hear those grunts and snorts a little bit longer. You are beyond cute Ellebelle!
You first started noticing lights about a week ago. Mommy put you in the bouncy chair and you were pretty zombied out. Then I flipped the switch on the light, and you sat up and stared at it right away! You even made a face as if to say Ooooooooooooowwwwwww-Aaaaaahhhhhhhh. You did the same thing in your swing. Daddy turned on the light show, and you looked up right away and made that same surprised face. It is so much fun watching you become more observant, focused, and attentive to different things.
During your first month of life, you have met many family members and friends in person, via Skype, and via Facebook (a place to share all of your photos). Mommy and daddy have let lots of people hold and play with you, and you have thoroughly enjoyed all of the extra attention. You must get that from your mommy. :^) Everyone has marveled at your beauty and has fallen in love with you just like mommy and daddy. You are the most beautiful baby girl we could have ever imagined and are beyond blessed to be able to hold, squeeze, kiss, and love you every day.
Ellebelle- Though mommy and daddy are new to this parenting thing, we hope that we are impacting your life in the way that you have ours. Thank you for being so patient with us while we still try to learn new tricks and understand when you need something and what exactly you need. We may not be perfect (regardless of what your daddy thinks), but we will do anything to make your life the best that it can possibly be. We are so thankful that you have come into our lives and are looking forward to the months and years ahead, watching you grow, become stronger, and even more beautiful with time. Happy 1 month Ellebelle! We love you to the moon!!
1 comment:
Beautiful post :) You will never regret doing these for her! Now my goal for today is to finally finish Bristols 5 and 6 month one !
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