Dear C - 4+ Months With You

Dear C,

We have been getting to know you for about 4.5 months now and about two weeks ago you really started to share more of your personality with us. 

Mostly you are easy going and smiley, you don't choose to have a lot to complain about. When you are upset it's usually a gas bubble that's quickly resolved with a couple of your swift kicks or some solid toot filled tummy-time.  Even if you are over tired and waiting for a nap you have the ability to be calm and patient while Daddy and LB give you 37 one last kiss. 

Naps and nights have been uncharacteristic of you but very standard of a four month old. About a week before 4 months things started getting out of whack and you would play for 40min of your nap.  Oddly you always wake up after 2hours and 58min in your crib. On the dot. Although in the past 2 or 3 days your morning nap has turned in to about 20min of wind down/fussing and exactly 40min of sleep. 

You are as smiley as ever. You love the song my girl and like touching daddy's beard. You cannot help but watch your brother, his every move is interesting to you. I've set you down on a blanket with a few toys scattered and you forget playing with toys you watch your brother run about. Building with blocks, knocking them down, shooting hoops and playing with his animals. It doesn't really matter what he's doing you're in to it.

About a week shy of the 5 month mark you've become ticklish! It's not a constant but most of the time I can get you really giggling. You also love to grab my face, my cheeks and nose are a favorite.

You still seem sensitive to dairy but I can have milk almost daily in coffee, just not any cheese. That seems to skip the scale giving you gas and runny poops.

We love you so much little girl and can't wait to see what the next months bring. Soon I will go back to work during the day and you'll be in day care with the fabulous Mimi. Know my heart is with you though, by your side is the place your dad and I will always most want to be. 

Love you always,

Mama

Dear Charlee: 12 Weeks With You...Written 8.24.15

Written 8.24.15...

 

Dear Charlee,

I got you laughing this week! I'll have to get it on video so you can see your adorable self. I was nuzzling little kisses on your cheek and neck switching from side to side and you thought it was hilarious. 

Last night you slept 12 hours from about 6:30 to 6:30.  I accidentally woke you up as I carried you up to bed and thought here goes nothing as I set you down wide awake on the bed. I scarfed my dinner and ran upstairs to check on you and there you were, sleeping peacefully in your standard touchdown pose. I tried to wake you for a dream feed but you were fast asleep and I was sure you would wake up around 4 or 5. I kept waking up thinking you would be ready to eat at any minute but there you were my little angel, still sleeping. 

This week we are up in Tahoe celebrating Aunt Ashley's wedding so your schedule is a little off but you are holding it together like a champ and the sweet angel that you are. 

Love,
Mama

Dear Charlee: 8 Weeks with You

Dear Charlee, 

Your eighth week began with a growth spurt or a Wonder Week or I don't really know what but I do know you sure did not want to be put down.  Your regular schedule of two 3-4 hour crib naps went out the window and for two days I held you basically 100% of the time. From about 5am-10pm you were by my side, nursing, sleeping, or awake and "playing" with my hands (so sweet, I don't ever want to forget that). This time was a reminder to continue to give in to the needs of the day letting the rest of the world pass by and just enjoy my "free" time with you.

On the third day of this I strapped you in to the k'tan because the house was looking pretty shabby and I needed to eat some real food and make sure the boys had clean clothes. Despite this bit of time I had to tidy and clean the house, the house is a disaster but that's ok. I wouldn't change it because we had some incredible bonding time and I know you better now.  

I can tell that you are "waking up" a bit more. You are noticing everything, sometimes I can't figure out what is so interesting but generally anything moving, shadows or lights and your brother catch your attention. You are really starting to connect with Mason and like to watch what he is doing. He is enjoying holding your hand and always tries to include you in his activities, he really seems taken by you and it is so sweet.  He is also taking his big brother responsibilities seriously and still vehemently dislikes when anyone besides Mama or Daddy holds you.

Thankfully you are still sleeping your solid 8 hours at night. Can't wait to see what next week brings!

Love, 
Mama

Dear Charlee - 10 Days with You

Dear Charlee,

You are so sleepy and make an adorable scrunch face when you poop. It's amazing how much we already love you little girl. 

You are sleeping 2 long naps a day anywhere from 2-4 hours at about 9 and 1. Then you are in and out the rest of the day. At night you sleep from 8 or 9pm to 4 or 5am. This is a pretty easy schedule I would be thrilled to keep for a while. 

Everyone says what a perfect (easy) second child you are but I'm scared to think this because I know shortly you will probably "wake up" and not be this easygoing. Or maybe you'll just give me a run for my money in your teenage years which based on my own sass filled high school tenure I am beyond terrified.  I'll love you anyway though :)

Love,
Mama

Dear Charlee: 7 Weeks with You

Dear Charlee,

You are still so easy going, I'm not sure how I was so blessed. You fit right in and are a dream second child, particularly when your brother is going and going all the time. 

You are smiling up a storm and cooing all the time, it's absolutely adorable and I can't wait for more of it. Sometimes it almost sounds like you are talking back to us, you use the same amount of syllables and level of inflection. Your eyes are starting to be expressive and fairly clear with what you want. 

We had quite the busy weekend bouncing from place to place and spending time with friends and family. By Sunday afternoon I could tell it was a little much and you were ready for some quite time.  You are very sweet and don't seem to fuss over much of anything but when you've had too much of something you are over it and want to retreat to a quiet, dimly lit place. Typically we sit on the couch or my bed and you eat/sleep while I take care of some emails or to-dos on my phone. Daddy and I will have to work to keep this in mind to make sure you get the space and quiet time you need.  We are typically always going in this family but as I get older I am happier to say no to some things and appreciate quiet and alone time with family more and more.

Love,
Mama

P.S. This is the week you started blowing bubbles  

Dear Charlee: 6 Weeks with You

Dear Charlee,

My sweet girl. It's been 6 weeks with you in our busy, wild world. You are the most relaxed, easy going second child I could imagine. Given your brother loves to be active I am very thankful for your demeanor. You nurse like a pro, we still have work to do to manage my oversupply but you're growing to handle it quite well. You generally nap in your crib, 2 solid 2-3 hr naps a day. When you don't want to sleep in your crib you typically want to eat or will sleep for hours in the baby k'tan carrier while I do house work. This easy going attitude makes me weary of your teenage years. I really hope you don't make-up for it then :)

Something unique is that so far I am pretty much the only one to hold you, a few offers have but not for long. It's been a busy busy 6 weeks for everyone around us so it's pretty much just been you and me, shopping trips, grocery runs, walks, park dates and mini manicures have filled our days. 

We love you so much already and as our second baby we have the luxury of knowing that this love will increase exponentially as we watch you grow and change. I look forward to the many memories, laughs, and even heartaches you will bring us.  

Love,

Mama