Some Pictures from the Weekend

Angel face
3 Generations of Ladies

All in Blue

Six Week Special

Hard to believe six weeks has flown by already! I mentioned in my last post that I wanted to do something special for her six week picture - and here it is. The dress in the photos below was the dress that I was brought home from the hospital in. As you can see, I was not a four pound baby and it has taken Claire six weeks to fit into this dress. I had intended to bring Claire home in this dress which would have swallowed her at birth. Instead, Nani and Pop went and found her the beautiful premie dress and bonnet that I posted her in several weeks ago.

There is a picture of me in this dress in my grandmother's lap on a blanket that I still have and use with Claire. I want to re-create that photo with Claire an post them side by side for comparison soon.True to form, Claire moved in almost every shot. The pics still turned out pretty good. I've figured out that my camera does a little better without the flash. This picture (above) looked like "Hi Mom!" to me.Here she is from the other day being amazed by her cousin Stone's mobile. As you can see, she has two mobiles in her crib. I consider this the alert time mobile (because it tends to stimulate her) and the Pooh mobile is her sleepy time mobile (although lately we've taken to falling asleep to a Chris Botti CD).

I had thought of a few milestones/updates late last night, but they've slipped my mind. I can say that she holds her head up fairly well now and that we've transitioned her to sleeping in her crib but I have not yet moved back into our room. From the bed in her room I can hear her better when she stirs. We've also established a nighttime routine as far as going to bed is concerned and it seems to help with the nighttime fussy hour. You know how most babies are a little fussy around 5 or 6? Well, Claire had been having that time around 8 or 9. With our routine of bathtime and quiet music time, that fussy hour has turned into about 10 minutes. She really is a very good baby. :)

Getting Back in the Swing

God bless week six, when the new mom starts to get used to waking every three hours and producing an endless supply of nourishment and care to her little one!

Seriously, though, after a little more help from Nani, I got the encouragement I needed to start to handle the day in day out of being a mom. There are still moments, of course, but I feel like I'm getting there.

Okay, so I know today marks six weeks and I have something extra-special planned for our weekly photo, but you'll have to wait for it. I managed a trip to the grocery store and a brief visit by my office this morning and the little one is tuckered out so I'm not going to make her change clothes and sit for a photo. However, I have taken some pictures this week and can go ahead and share them now...Touchdown Auburn! You can't really see this little outfit, but I made it for her and even put her initials on it before I even knew whether or not we were having a girl.

Geoff's cousin Nancy sent us a fun package full of sweet things for our little girl, including this dress (Geoff says she looks like a porcelain doll in this picture) and the blanket she's laying on. We have received so many precious things for her to wear, to be wrapped in and to play with and couldn't be more grateful for the friends and family who have showered us and her with love and gifts.

Time with Daddy

Geoff is already finding ways to share his sense of humor with our little girl. Perhaps this is retribution for me not letting him put a mustache on her in the hospital...

5 Weeks Old and What a Doll!

Doesn't this remind you of E.T.? Of course, my girl looks nothing like an alien, but she certainly could pass for a doll. :)

And now for something completely different/random... When's the last time you saw one of these critters? I snapped the shot this morning. I haven't spotted one since I was a kid.

Sugarfoots

Smiles all around - this picture was too cute not to share!My grandmother's mother used to call my grandmother Sugarfoots. It's a nickname/term of endearment I have never heard anywhere else and one my mom now likes to use with Claire. I have been asked for pictures of baby feet because they are so cute, but it's hard to take feet pictures. Still, here are a couple for your enjoyment.

First Doctor's Visit

Claire had her 4 week check up yesterday and we finally found out just how much she has gained in a month of life. From her start point of 4lbs 15oz, she has gained plenty - she's 8lbs 9oz! Four pounds more than she was when she dropped weight on her second day of life! Not only that, but she is nearly 3 inches longer than she was at birth. I don't know what's normal on height growth, but I do know that the doctor told us to expect a weight gain of 1/2 to 1 oz per day. She blew right past that estimate, since that would have been a max gain of 2 lbs.

The doctor said she looks fabulous, specifically saying her skin was pretty since a lot of babies are pimply at this age and so far her skin is very clear. She got her second Hep B vaccination and it was so sad! She wailed and got a look on her face that clearly said we were all hurting not only her little leg but her feelings as well. Poor little thing!

And because we enjoy taking pictures of her while she's sleeping, here's a freebie from a few days ago...

Four Weeks

Growing sure makes a baby tired! This is outfit number two for her four week picture. I guess we'll wear the blue one for our five week. This week she decided to spit up all over it while I was trying to turn on the camera.
She may be yawning in the picture above for the same reason I am - I think she missed Nani who has been playing night nanny for a few days and went home yesterday. Whatever the reason, we had a long night last night where she wasn't really ready to go to sleep and just felt like being held. She and I slept in her room since Geoff needed rest before work, and she had a pretty good night once she got to sleep.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
As Nani put it, Claire has found her voice - meaning she now knows to be a little more vocal with a cry instead of just grunting and squeaking all the time. She still isn't much of a crier, but she will let you know if she needs something.

We All Know...

Claire's shirt says "We all know I'm Grandma's Favorite." Of course Nani had to have her picture taken with Claire in this outfit. Too cute! Nani came and took care of Claire during the last several nights so that Geoff and I could have our bed to ourselves and catch up on a little sleep. We even got to have a date one night! The winds from Katrina have seemed over the last four years to blow my parents farther and farther away from here. Here's hoping those winds will change soon...
Tomorrow marks four weeks of life for my little one, so be ready for a new picture and an update if I can think of anything new to share.

Rubber Ducky Dreams

Claire's umbilical cord has come off and she had outgrown the little tub that the hospital gave us for her sponge baths, so she has moved into her great little tub/chair from Aunt Gini. Here's a picture from the first night of Nani's visit when we gave her a nice bath. She does really well with her baths so far. Seems redundant to say she does well with anything because she seems to do well with everything. Sleeps well, eats well, rides well, bathes well - what a blessing of a baby she is!

Three Weeks Today

I can't believe how quickly the time is flying by. I have to keep redirecting my attention away from counting down days until I have to return to work or I will get depressed. This little one takes up a ton of time and energy but she is worth every second of every day and night that I spend with her.

If you continue to follow my blog you will notice that I am not a photographer at all, so this was the best shot of her that I could get this morning before she started complaining heartily that I wasn't holding her, but it was also one that I managed not to get her full length in. Oh well. She's definitely starting to fill out and if you are a member of my family reading this, you will probably also begin to think that she is starting to look more and more like her mama. :)

As a bonus, here is a picture from yesterday afternoon. Geoff loves pictures of her sleeping because she is so funny when she sleeps. I can't decide if this pose says "please pick me up" or "ready for take-off." Too cute!

One Last Time

I had to get a picture of Claire in her going home outfit one last time before I couldn't get it on her anymore. The hospital photos turned out much better, but I haven't had a chance (or the money) to order them yet. This adorable premie outfit is headed for a shadow box as soon as I can get one from Hobby Lobby.

Our First Stroll

Yesterday Claire and I went for our first stroll around the block. This is the only form of exercise I am allowed until my 6 week check up, and after the walk I can see why. I haven't needed pain meds since my surgery, but I do get occasional strong twinges - something that was more pronounced after the walk. Claire was very quiet but alert throughout the stroll. The dogs reacted as I thought they would to the stroller - making me glad I didn't try to bring them along.

MILESTONES TO DATE
Claire is now coordinated enough to push me away when I do something she doesn't like - such as suctioning her nose or putting ointment on her eyes.
Claire has officially outgrown her premie clothes and diapers. Many newborn clothing pieces are too big, but premies are all too small.