Sweet girl…happy TWO months!

Never before has time passed as quickly as it is these days. It seems like just yesterday that we typed out your one-month post, and now here we are celebrating two! I have to say, we’ve hit baby bliss. In the last two weeks you’ve really blossomed — flashing smiles, becoming more routine-driven, and (YES!) finally sleeping! Your daddy and I agree that this is our favorite stage…your little personality is starting to shine and my goodness girl, you’re quite the beauty! Your red hair and blue eyes have captivated us…but we’re trying not to get too attached since we know those may be changing.

Here are the highlights of your second month:

Weight: 12 lbs 10.5 oz (82nd percentile) Length: 25 inches (100th percentile)

We’ve been amazed how quickly you’re outgrowing your clothes! You blew through the newborn size and 0-3 months is almost out too — your length makes it challenging to snap a onesie. It seems 3-6 fits you best right now, although your cloth diaper booty makes your pants pretty snug. All that said you’re still a super hot baby (like your daddy was, we hear…), so you spent much of August and September in just your diaper.

Eating: Oh baby, you love to eat. Nursing is still going well…but bottles sure aren’t. You’ve decided you only want milk from Mommy, and despite us trying three different brands, you absolutely refuse to latch onto a bottle. The pediatrician told us Friday that this stubbornness is common (you won’t take a pacifier either…), and to just keep on trying. So try we will, little lady, til we find out what makes you tick (or, rather, suck).

Sleeping: We couldn’t be more delighted with your sleep these days, Claire. It turns out you LOVE routine (you take after Pinot kitty in that respect), and we’ve found the magic ticket with a bath-swaddle-nurse-cuddle-bed pattern beginning each night around 8:30 p.m. For almost a week we’ve been getting 6+ hours of sleep…which to your weary parents feels more like 10! Thank you, thank you for this!

The next step, of course, is moving you out of our room. You’ve been sleeping in the bassinet of your Pack-n-Play since you came home from the hospital. We intended to ease you into the nursery at 6 weeks…now here we are approaching 9 and you’re still snoozing away beside our bed. I have to admit there’s something incredibly comforting about having you an arm’s distance away whenever I wake…but I know the whole family will sleep better once you’re settled in your pretty crib.

During the day you’re a mighty fine napper, taking one- or two-hour chunks of sleep a few times a day. Not surprisingly, your very favorite place to nap is chest-to-chest, and although I wouldn’t mind spending all day on the couch cuddled with my favorite girl, I’ve been trying to devote a few of your naps to laundry and work (which I’m sloooowly easing back into). During this time you’ll happily sleep in your swing or bouncer, especially if we set them to play tweet tweet birdie noises!

Playing: We think 8 weeks is so much fun! You’ll spend up to 30 minutes at a time on your activity mat kicking and punching and gooing at the animal toys and pretty girl in the mirror. You’re also mastering tummy time, holding your head high and looking around.

Our favorite time of the day, though, is morning, when we’ll bring you into our bed dressed in pajamas and watch you smile and goo for nearly an hour. This is your happy time, and we love making sounds while you practice mimicking us. It’s precious to watch you move your mouth and slowly push out breaths of air — it’s clear you know that’s how sounds are made…you’re just trying to figure out how.

If video doesn’t play, try this link:
http://baby.eberlecreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/labor_day_video.mp4

You’ve had a few instances where you’ve rolled onto your side, but nothing consistent. We have a feeling once you master a roll, you’re going to spend all your time on your belly. It’s most definitely your favorite place to be!

What you’re loving: The bath, your mobiles, being naked, Mommy and Daddy (you definitely recognize us!), morning, and the chance to meet your great-grandparents!

What you’re hating: Your crib, getting dressed, having your arms swaddled, and getting in and out of the carseat. (You’re a fan of the car as long as we’re in motion and music is playing. Stoplights and traffic jams are cause for shrieks!)

We sure can’t wait to see what the next four weeks hold. We’ll be busy — weddings and road trips and lots of growing. Keep on flashing that smile, little lady — you sure have us wrapped around your finger.

Love, Mommy and Daddy