One Month!

It's hard to believe that Emma is one month old!  So much has happened since she was born, and I'm still getting the hang of taking care of her and getting anything else accomplished.  It's taken me an entire week to download these pictures a little at a time.  I figure I'd better make the most of it while I'm at it, so be prepared for an Emma photo extravaganza! 

Dan and I have been doing well with the changes that parenting has brought to our lives. We're exhausted, of course, but trying our best to appreciate every day and moment of this newborn stage in Emma's life. Everyone tells us that it passes all too quickly, and we'll wish for it back! 

Some facts about Emma at one month old:

• She sleeps great during the days and will take 2-3 hour naps several times.  At night, she sleeps a maximum of one hour at a time in her bassinet in our room before waking up and wanting to eat. She and I have a one hour asleep/one hour awake rhythm going that allows me to get 4-5 hours of interrupted sleep at night, and then I try to nap at least once during the day when she does. I'm not so sure I'm going to miss this part of her newborn stage. :)
• She isn't a picky eater, and so far I've been able to nurse her anytime, anywhere, in any position, and in any mood she's in. She'll be in a full-blown rage, but offer her the chance to eat, and it's over immediately.  We didn't know this was unique until we met a friend's infant daughter who refuses to nurse unless she's perfectly calm first.
• She has been easy to soothe for the most part, and has sucked on her fingers and fists to soothe herself since day one. 
• In the classes we took through our hospital, they recommended not giving her a pacifier or bottle for the first four weeks to avoid "nipple confusion," which might make nursing more difficult.  So when she got fussy and I couldn't nurse her, we'd give her one of our fingers to suck on.  As a result, she loves Dan's pinkie finger and knuckle with a passion!
• We've learned to take serious precautions when we change her diaper, since the open air and wet wipes stimulate her to empty her bladder and bowels completely. On Mother's Day, she waited until we had let our guard down and then projectile pooped all the way across the room.  I think it was a special gift for me.
• She has smiled every single day of her life, and although we know it's caused by gas, it's the sweetest part of our day.  We *think* she is just beginning to smile voluntarily, and can't wait to see it happen for sure.
• She's really started to focus in on faces and especially eyes. She'll give a short amount of attention to toys, but she's mainly interested in people right now. 
• She has loved music since she was in the womb, and Dan and I do a lot of singing and humming to soothe her.  She mainly gets hymns from me and Broadway tunes from Dan.
• She wears footie pajamas every single day because it's so easy and we don't get out much at this point. I wear my pajamas all day long, too, so we're two peas in a pod. :)

Here are some pictures from Emma's first month!

 Homecoming from the hospital

 

 Spending the first two weeks with Nana from Fort Worth, TX

 

 And with Grandma and Grandpa from Williamsburg, VA

 

 First sponge bath at home. She hated it, which of course made us hate it.

 

We were both a little worse for wear after the bath. heh.

Taking medicine by syringe while sucking on Dan's magical pinkie finger

We went to cheer Dan on during his roller hockey game

First stroller outing - we're so glad we splurged on the Bob jogging stroller! 

 

First trip to the airport, unfortunately to drop Nana off so she could go home to TX

 We celebrated Grandpa's 75th birthday at the Fish House 

Dan had to go back to work, so he and Emma spend quality time together every evening when he gets home

We were visited by Jerrica and Trevor from church

And Stacy and Ellie from Dan's school.  Ellie is 5 weeks older than Emma, and we think they'll be big buddies.

 Emma's first bottle feeding from Dad.  She looks a little apprehensive, but she loved it.

 Celebrating our very first Mother's Day!

 This little one-month-old girl just gets prettier and sweeter every day!