12/52

"a portrait of each of my children, once each week, in 2014"

   

Cruz: My favorite view during my frequent Mila feedings throughout the day.  There are few things more satisfying than listening to your little people explore new worlds through play.  He's into race cars and superheros in a big way right now and his vocabulary is expanding to include words like "sentinels" and kryptonite."  The other day, he said to me, "mommy, those villains are absolutely dangerous."   

Mila: I love our changing table talks more than just about anything.  This one happened to be after her 8-week doctor appointment, after I changed her diaper and checked on the three Charlie Brown band-aids on her tiny little legs.  Her smile is a  reassuring one, especially after the desperate one I received just moments after getting the first of three shots.  I think it's harder on mama than it is on the babes.         

Mila // Month 2, Cont.

Mila Carys at 2 months!  So fun to see how she's changed from her first month.  

Mila had her two month doctor's appointment on Monday.  Baby girl weighed in at 10 lbs. 12 oz. and measured 24 inches long.  She's still a peanut, but four pounds and three inches in six weeks is pretty good!  She did well with her shots, but it was hard on mommy again.  She was all smiles her entire appointment and it was heartbreaking to watch her and know it was about to change.  She cried so at first, but slept for most of the day and woke up one happy camper the next morning.  She's had quite a few nights in a row of sleeping 7 hours straight and it's done wonders for our routine at home.  Keep up it up, baby girl!

Her smiles completely melt me.  This morning, she had the cutest smile on her face watching me brush my hair.  She just watched and smiled and I assured her that before too long, hers would come back again. :)   

Mila is Two Months

Little girl, you are two months old.  It seems you have graduated from infant to baby this month, revealing the beginnings of a unique and sweet personality.  Every day is a different adventure and I am so blessed to be an important part of your world.  It's all I ever wanted to do.  

We have had some bumps in the road when it comes to nursing, but I'm determined to continue as long as it works.  You're a bit of a spitter, and we can't decide from one day to the next if it's a small case of reflux or the fact that you are a guzzler!  You seem to be eating about 4 ounces every 3-4 hours, but sometimes like to eat more before bed.  I think you are going through a growth spurt because the last few days you've wanted to eat every two hours.  Our nights are a different story every night.  A week ago, on the night we turned the clocks ahead, you had your best night yet sleeping from 9:30-4:30, but the very next night you were back to every three hours.  We've had a string of 5-7 hour stretches the past few nights, so it seems you're starting to figure things out.  I love that after you eat, you go right back to sleep and that sometimes, you just seem to want your mama.  Our night feedings are special times for the two of us. 

It's nearly impossible to not smile when you do.  Your smiles come easy and are plenty.  I love that you squint your eyes when you smile and when you're really excited, you do this half laugh, half cough thing and kick your little feet.  You seem to think life is quite hysterical at times and the twinkle in your pretty blue eyes is pure bliss.  You started cooing this month, too, and we seem to have the best talks on your changing table or on our bed.  You watch people so intently and seem to study faces so.  I think I could stare at your sweet features twenty-four hours a day...

  

You have the prettiest blue eyes and I wonder if they might stay blue like your daddy's.  You love to be held and love to stare at whomever is holding you.  You are an inquisitive little one and sometimes it seems you know and understand far more than we give you credit.  You know things and it seems you have this power to stare right through to my soul.  

Much like your mom, you don't seem too interested in wasting away the days with naps and inefficiency!  You fight sleep during the day and this sometimes makes for an overtired baby at night.  I've found some success with my Solly wrap, but most of the time, you stretch your little neck out as far as you can and try to make eye contact with me!  You, like most babies, would prefer to sleep in someone's arms during naps, but we're slowly trying to establish a nap routine in your crib.  You like your crib at night, but I haven't found the right trick for the days yet! 

You are a mommy's girl and there are times when all you want is to know that I'm near.  I love that about you, but it's also made it very hard to leave you.

You like your swing and stare so intently at the mobile that hangs above it.  

You started sucking on your hand this month.  I love the sounds you make.   

You love your baths and started kicking your feet and making a few splashes last night.

You have mastered the 'blue steel' from Zoolander and can do it on command.

You are a drama queen and have quite the cry in that little body of yours!  Your face turns bright red and you hold your breath and put your arms up in defiance.  You do this when you're hungry, when you're cold, when you're overtired and sometimes, when you're in the car.  Mom and I took you to Des Moines a couple of weeks ago and you slept the entire four hours in the car; however, a quick trip to Wal-Mart could set off a firestorm!  

You are still such a little peanut, just fitting into some of your 0-3 month clothes.  You have the tiniest wrists and ankles and we can't find a pair of socks on the planet that fit you right.  I can't wait for your appointment on Monday, but worry about getting your shots.  Your thighs are just so tiny...

You think your big brother is the most interesting person in the world.  You love to watch him and listen to his stories.

You are so loved, Mila girl.  You've managed to rock our world a bit while being the sweetest, most peaceful addition all at the same time.  And I have a feeling you'll continue to have that effect on us for the rest of our lives. 

Happy second month of life!

---your mama      

More pictures from your second month...(lots of them)