The Gardners: June 2014

Monday, June 23, 2014

Olivia {1 Month}

Dear sweet Olivia,

This first month has flown by just like everyone has said it would. I can't believe you have been ours for a month already. Your daddy and I are so in love with you and we can't imagine life without you! You are the perfect little addition to our family. We were a little worried about how the dogs would be with you, but they love you too. When you cry they come up and check on you and Buttercup loves to try and give you kisses and Lily likes to rest her head on your lap when we hold you. Both doggies love to come and sleep in your room while you are nursing and just hang out. Those hyper puppies have been so calm and gentle with you, you are going to have some great play mates as you get older!

Sleeping:

You have done such a great job sleeping, and you got yourself on a schedule right away. You gave your daddy and I the gift of sleep from the get-go. This first month, you have been sleeping anywhere from 3-4 hours at a time at night and during the day you fall asleep after every feeding, and you can sleep anywhere (pack 'n play, swing, rock & play, and your crib). When you don't fall asleep right away, I lay you on my chest and that is a sure fire why to get you to sleep. I know it's not the best of habits, but sometime you got to do what you got to do! You love being swaddled and you don't have a problem sleeping on your back, but by the time you wake up, your hands are always by your face. I looked back at your sonograms, and that is where your hands are in every picture.

Eating:

You are a great eater! We had a little trouble at the start and had to use a little formula to get you to latch, but once my milk came in the syringe went away. Sometimes when you eat you like to grunt and talk, we will work on not talking with your mouth full! You have been great with the bottle and nursing and we have had no issues with confusion. You have taken both since you were in the hospital, but I try to nurse you as much as possible. It is nice that you are happy with both and that you take the bottle, because it is nice to get a break when I need it and give you some bonding time with your daddy.

New tricks/ activities/ accomplishments

I'm not sure if you really learned anything new, since it's all new to all of us, but you have done a great job working on eating and sleeping. You have been a\out and about on the town quite a bit, mommy gets a little stir crazy! you have been to Target LOTS of times, bible study, life group, out to eat, and lunch at daddy's office. When we hold you up on our shoulders, you do a great job holding up your hear, you love to look around. And, you are packing on the pounds, you weigh and even 10 pounds!

Likes:

Being held and snuggles, the Mamaroo on Kangaroo setting, your swing, driving in the car, being swaddled, pats on the bottom, paci, & music

Dislikes:

Getting dressed or undressed (once the clothing switch is done, you're fine), baths, tummy time, & when your paci falls out

Other random facts:

You've gained over 3 pounds since we brought you home from the hospital
You have grown 3 inches since you were born
I'm not sure who you look like, I think you're a good mix. We hear that you look like me from the eyes up and your daddy from the nose down a lot!
You did a great job during your newborn photos. You'd get fussy when we changed you and then you would fall right back asleep and we got some great pictures!