3 Month Update

Length: ?

Weight:  ~11 lbs

Clothing size:  0-3 month things right now, although on her 11 week birthday, I put her in the shirt that she came home from the hospital in, and it fit perfectly!

Favorite food:  If you guessed milk, you would be correct!

Favorite song:  Bingo, The Eentsy Weentsy Spider, Anything Mom and Dad make up to keep her entertained.

Favorite toy:  Mirrors!  She loves looking into them and smiling.  She also continues to enjoy her kick-and-play mat.

Favorite book: Room on the Broom, Going on a Bear Hunt and Dr. Seuss anything

Favorite time of day:  Still a morning baby!

Mom and Dad's observations/milestones:  Stella continues to expand her sound inventory, making new sounds each day, and is now making more two syllable sounds.  Bryce and I are pretty sure she is on the verge of laughing.  She desperately continues to try and roll over (back to front and front to back) - she is thisclose.  She now prefers to sleep on her left side - Even if I try to again put her on her back, she rolls to her side.

Sleeping:  Stella continues to cat nap throughout the day, and sleep really well at night.  Her longer stretches of sleep have been about 6-7 hours, going about 8 hours between feedings.  It's always questionable how easily  she will fall back asleep.

Eating:  Little missy still eats about every three hours, taking in approximately 4 ounces.  Occasionally she will need 5 ounces if she goes 8+ hours without feeding.

Stella's favorite things:  Smiling!  Smiling is her favorite!  Looking at herself and us in the mirror.  Blowing saliva bubbles

Three month notes:  Stella picks up on the emotions of others extremely well and models her own behaviors and actions based on yours, so we are very cautious not to be sad or upset around her.  She has also really started to enjoy her baths!  If you were around our house for bath time during Stella's first two months, you would know that she really, really didn't like baths.  Believe it or not, she will now sometimes smile and coo as you wash her.  It feels like a miracle.

Here are some outtakes from week 10 photos that were too cute not to share.

2 Month Update

Yikes.  Has it really been a month since my last post?  Time got the better of me.  Month two was a bit hectic for us - from Stella's physical growth spurt (nursing every hour and a half to two hours!) to her mental growth spurt (oh the fussiness and lack of sleep), her two month shots (the horror!), Mom's breastfeeding challenges and everything else in between, there wasn't much time.  Once I get back to work, and am forced to get on a schedule, I will set aside certain days to write a blog post.  There is so much going on that I want to keep you all updated on.  For now, I will give you Stella's two month update!

Length:  22.5 inches (53%ile)

Weight:  10 lbs, 13 oz (47%ile)

Clothing size:  0-3 month.  A few newborn things fit, although I have pretty much put away all her newborn items.  So sad!

Favorite food:  Still getting her favorite - milk!

Favorite song:  Dave Matthews Lullaby CD, Fancy by Iggy Azalea, Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes.

Stella met her BFF, Harrison!

Favorite toy:  Her Kick and Play Mat that makes music when she kicks the keys.  Mom and Dad have the songs memorized and sing along with them when she kicks.

Favorite book:  We're Going on a Bear Hunt and anything by Dr. Seuss.  She loves books with repetitive lines and ones that rhyme.  

Favorite time of day:  This little lady loves her mornings!  She is so happy and smiley and will talk up a storm!

Mom and Dad's observations/milestones:  She recognizes Mom and Dad, turns her head to sound and tracks objects like a champ.  Additionally, she can hold her head up independently really well.  She listens well to simple books.  Her ability to grab big targets (especially Mom's hair) is excellent and she is really improving her ability to reach and grab smaller targets.

Sleeping:  Similar to before, Stella is pretty much awake most of the day, taking small cat-naps throughout the day.  Lately, she has been sleeping from about 9pm to 3am, give or take an hour... She will then nurse, and typically goes back to bed.  We are also letting her put herself to sleep (laying her down while drowsy, not asleep) and 80-90% of the time is successful at doing this independently.  

Eating:  Stella is still nursing about every 3 hours (except at night while she sleeps).  When she does get a bottle, she is taking 4 ounces, give or take a few milliliters.  

Stella's favorite things:  Hanging out in her nursery!

Month two notes:  Stella has changed so much in the past month!  She is growing like a weed, and has officially lost her newborn appearance.  She is beginning to engage in activities and is turning into such a fun baby with quite the personality!

Baby Acne + 5 weeks

There are two phrases that I have really, really grown to dislike:  Every baby gets it/Lots of babies get it and It will get worse before it gets better.

Stella came down with a pretty significant case of baby acne.  It started on the entire right side of her face, right before her one month pediatrician visit.  Naturally, I thought it was some nasty rash, however, the doctor assured me that it was "a solidly moderate" case of baby acne, and to be prepared because it often "gets worse before it gets better."  Little did I realize just how worse it would get.  And the fact that it was "just acne" did not make me rest any easier - I wanted it gone.

I then started asking other momma's if they had experience with baby acne to see if they had any recommendations.  All but one told me that their child did not have baby acne, however, quickly informed me that "Lots of babies get it."  Uhhh, if "lots" of babies get it, why didn't the babies of the momma's I asked get it?!  Frustration really started to set in.

Within a day or so of her doctors visit, it spread to the left side of  her face.  About a week later, it started to look a little better on her face, however, I noticed it started to spread to her neck, chest and shoulders.  I knew it was acne, I knew it had the potential to become worse, yet I still panicked and called the doctor.  I was really starting to get upset.  It's spreading to her shoulders for Pete's sake, certainly it has turned into some sort of rash at this point, right?  Again, they assured me that it was baby acne, that it was common, that it wasn't my fault, there was nothing they really recommend doing at this point, and that I could always bring Stella in to have them look at it.  I guess it made me feel a little better.  But not much.

Naturally, I ran out and started looking at all-natural, organic hygiene products for sensitive skin for Stella because I was convinced that it would help.  Johnson and Johnson just wasn't cutting it for this momma.  After her first bath with it, her face started to clear.  Second bath with it, and it was on it's way to completely healed.  Probably purely coincidence, but it was enough to ensure we will be very choosy with our products.

The acne on her face is almost completely gone and her skin is returning to its super soft, clear state.  The stuff on her neck, shoulders and chest is still healing, but getting better.  Now I can rest a little easier.

That is, until the next thing comes up...

4 Weeks

I much prefer saying "four weeks" versus "one month."  It sounds less grown up.  I can't believe Stella Bella has been with us for one whole month 4 weeks already.

Length:  20.5 inches

Weight:  8 lbs, 11 oz

Clothing size:  Newborn fits best, although she is sporting some 0-3 month things right now.

Favorite food:  Only getting milk at this point, which she loves.

Favorite song:  Right now she really only likes white noise.

Favorite toy:  Walls, lights, and her own face.  Not really digging any toys in particular.  However, she does enjoy her play mat for tummy time.

Favorite time of day:  Morning!  Just this week, she started getting her days and nights correct and is sleeping more at night and staying awake during the day.  Hallelujah!

Mom and Dad's observations/milestones:  Stella lifts her head really well during tummy time (although she's been lifting her head well since we were in the hospital), she will turn her head to follow noise, and for the past week has done a beautiful job of tracking objects.  She is smiling occasionally, however, whether or not it is purposeful is questionable.  Mom has noticed that she has started making different sounds.

Sleeping:  Stella is pretty much awake most of the day, taking little naps here and there.  The longest stretch of time she will sleep during the night right now is about four hours, her max duration has been five.

Eating:  Stella mostly nurses, however, she does typically get one bottle per day.  In that one bottle, she may have anywhere from 80 ml's to 120 ml's. In the words of her pediatrician, "she is a good eater!"

Stella's favorite things:  Being swaddled and cuddling with Mom and Dad.  We don't swaddle her at night when she's sleeping, only when she is being closely watched.

First month notes:  Mom and Stella survived the first bacterial flesh eating infection diaper rash.  It was about the size of a dime, but naturally Mom thought it was taking over her hiney.  With the use of Desitin, it cleared up in two days.  Stella also had some baby acne pop up.  Again, Mom thought it was another form of a disease.  It's starting to clear up nicely, now.

The Many Faces of Stella

Miss Stella has some of the most random facial expressions, and I just can't get enough of them.  My iPhone camera is getting a serious workout trying to capture everything so we can send something to Dad while he's at work.  These shots were literally snapped within seconds of each other.  We get such a kick out of her expressions, I couldn't help but share them here!

3 Weeks

I can't believe my baby is three weeks old!  I really can't believe how time is flying.  This past week we have been working on trying to get Stella to sleep a little longer at night.  Typically she will sleep for about 4 to 4.5 hours, her max has been about 5.5 hours.  Slowly but surely we are making progress. She still has her days and nights mixed up a bit, and enjoys hanging out with Mom after her 1:30am feeding.  We are really, really working hard at changing that.

Bath time has significantly improved, and Stella actually seems to enjoy it now that she can be placed in the water.  This really makes Mom happy because I hated seeing her so upset at bath time!

Stella has also had a few fussy days, where she really only wants to be held and cuddled by Mom, which makes it difficult to try and get some things done around the house.  I'm feeling much better, and really just want to get my house, and life for that matter, in order.  Although, I do enjoy the baby snuggles over housework any day... and even if Stella's fussy, I love every second because I know she won't be this little forever.  And, cue hormonal, post-partum tears.

 Stella also started making some crazy eyes this week.  This kid cracks me up.  Naturally, Dad can't miss all the funny eyes and faces that she makes, so my iPhone camera is constantly getting a workout so Bryce can see everything while he's at work.

Ozzie is still trying to learn his boundaries with Stella... He wants to be as close to her as he can possibly get.  I'm sure that will change once she's a little older and begins pulling his tail and sticking her finger in his ear.

We survived the first three weeks!

Weeks 1 and 2

The Hawks are still adjusting to life with a newborn.  We might be a little exhausted... We aren't very good at resting when Stella rests.  I'm sure that will change after all our wonderful helpers have gone back home!

Stella is still feeding about every three hours.  We did get the okay from her pediatrician to let her go four hours one time per night between feedings, and I must say that hours helps more than you might think.  In a couple days, we can let her sleep as long as she will go once per night, but will have to continue feeds every three hours after that.  My guess is she will make it 5 hours, max.  We haven't been able to weigh little missy since her last doctors appointment when she was back up to 7lbs, 1oz, but we think she's pretty close to her birth weight now.

Stella is a very sweet baby, and very good natured.  At this point, she really only cries when something is wrong (aka, needs a diaper change, needs to be fed, wants to go her in Mamaroo).  Lately, once per day, she has a one-two hour period where the only thing that will comfort her is to be swaddled with her paci and to be rocked by momma.  This usually happens at around 1:00am, but can vary throughout the day.

Stella was introduced to her puppy brother, Ozzie.  He loves her!  He is very protective of Stella, and any time she cries, he is right by her side to ensure that everything is okay.  Some best friends in the making!

Little missy had her very first bath at home.  She did not like it one bit.  Not.at.all.  She screamed the entire time.  Her umbilical was still attached, so she could not be placed in water, just wiped down with a wet washcloth.  Since then, her umbilical cord did fall off so we could place her in a little water which has made bath time much more enjoyable for baby girl.

On her two week birthday, we started doing tummy time with Stella and so far, she loves it.  She raises her little head up, and then will lift her arms and legs up to do the  "superman."  She is surprisingly very strong already.  I hate to admit this, but Bryce and I have seen her roll over a couple times.  Totally on accident, but crazy nonetheless.  

Dad went back to work this week - Stella and I miss him a lot while he's gone!  But we are very excited to see him when he gets home!  The transition has been made much easier with Nonna and Chloe here to help.