One Month Letter

Dear Sofia,

You have been out in the world for month now! We can't imagine our lives without you (& it's weird thinking about our lives before you!!) In this last month, you have completely changed us! We are sinking into our new roles as your mother and father. We no longer feel clueless about little babies (or at least not completely clueless). We expect a lot more unexpected things to happen with you. We are getting use to (& trying not to stress about) all the things a newborn does to learn how to function in this new world.

You and I spend a lot of time together nursing. It's really an amazing time. You eat quite often, and we know you are getting food because we see how much you've grown already (you've gained almost 2 pounds in a month!). You get a bit squirmy during nursing at times. I am not completely sure what it it, but I think it might be you fighting off sleep or needing burped or not getting enough milk because you've already drank so much and the supply is running low. One of my favorite parts is when you fall asleep in my arms. I watch it come on... It's the sweetest thing. Usually I hold you cuddled in my arms for a while before either sharing you with someone else or putting you down to sleep.

For a while, every time your father held you you'd want to be nursed instead. He would get sad not to get time with you... You've started being able to be with him more now. He's discovered a few things that sooth you: being outside, being swung from side to side and up and down, or sitting facing out. In the night, he sometimes takes you out of you bassinet between us on the bed and lays you on his chest to sleep if you are being too restless and fidgety. I think your father is still waiting for the days when you respond more and begin to play with him. You'll have so much fun with him!!! I know he'll be one of your favorite people!!

I have started noticing changes in you. Instead of only sleeping and eating and repeating all over again, you are spending more time being awake. We've read books, laid you down for tummy time, put you in your swing, sat and chatted (well you don't so much but Mommy makes up the things you are "saying"). We've gone on walks and hung out on the front porch. It's an interesting transition for me as I'm starting to change my thinking that you are hungry when you are awake. :)

Sweet Sofia, there are certain things we know about you already. You like baths. We hope that sticks so bath time is easy for us later and fun for you! You usually seem to enjoy the changing table. You calm down and just hang out while we change your diaper... Your little legs move quite a bit though. And you often get hiccups while on the changing table. You don't really love your car seat, but we are hoping you'll grow out of that (Grandma has found that shaking your car seat a bit and rubbing your head helps sooth you... sometimes). We have big plans for road trips next summer Little Miss. You like to sleep with your hands above your head. It's pretty darn cute! We have some great photos of it, we'll show you someday!

At our 4 week appointment with the midwives, you weighed 9 pounds 11 ounces. You gained almost 2 pounds since you were born!! The midwives all wanted time to cuddle you (and one of our midwives even took a photo of you because you are so darn cute!!)

Happy 1 month birthday baby girl. We love you more than our words can explain, more than we ever imagined we'd be able to. You are the most amazing little thing.

Love,
Your Mama