The Gardners: August 2014

My precious baby girl,

How is it that you are already 3 months? Time is just flying by. It needs to slow down! I truly treasure every moment I get to spend with you. When we are with family and friends and they are holding you all night, I miss you so much and I can't wait to have you in my arms again! You are such a blessing and I am so glad that God chose me to be your mommy!

Sleeping:

You are a wonderful sleep, we are so lucky! During the day you take one good nap around noon and wake up about 3, the rest of the day it's just a few cat naps here and there. We get you ready for bed and I feed you around 10 and get you to bed by 10:30, we've really been working on pushing that bed time back and we don't see you again until 10:30 AM!! You are still sleeping in our room, I thought we would have moved you already, but you are such a great sleeper, I'm afraid to rock the boat! And you are a pretty quiet sleeper, you don't make much noise that keeps me up, you made a little more when you were a newborn a few grunts and groans here and there, but not anymore you just turn your head every once in awhile. You're still sleeping on your back and you've had no problem with that!

Eating:

You love to eat, but it has been more of a challenge lately. Around 2 months you started pulling off at around the 7 minute mark while nursing on each side and you would get real fussy and I'm not sure why. I know you're still hungry and I still have milk. That past week and a half you have been pulling off almost immediately and fussing at me, it's definitely frustrating and a little discouraging, but I'm sticking with it and trying to build up a freezer supply at the same time so you have milk once I go back to work.

New tricks/activities/accomplishments:

You are the most adorable squeaky, squeal giggle. You haven't mastered laughing yet, but you get a huge smile on your face and give a high pitched squeal of delight when you find something amusing or are really happy. I absolutely love your special giggle! You love to play on your play mat and you are now reaching for the dangling toys and grabbing them, sometimes they end up in your mouth along with your hands. You have found your hands this month, and they are always in your mouth! While playing on your mat, you have also started to roll on your left side. It's always to face the light up music box on your mat, I need to put it on the other side to see if you'll turn on your right side as well. You haven't discovered your feet yet, but when you're on the changing table, you're always kicking like you have some place to go. You aren't sitting up yet, but you are a pro at holding up your head. you love to sit on our lap or be held and just hold your head up and turn it to look around at things or the TV (which you enjoy watching). You have become very observant and more aware of your surroundings, you look at your toys, watch the TV (in your swing you'll tilt your head to see the TV), follow me and your daddy with your eyes and notice when we come in or when I leave the room. You've started to play and respond to peak a boo, I gets smiles at you when you see my face while playing the game. If you can't tell, I'm one proud momma!

Likes:

Being swaddled to sleep. Being sung to and smiled at. Your play mat and light up music toys. The TV, mom and dad. Clean diapers, squealing in delight (melts my heart), kicking your feet, sleeping, sucking on your fist and finders, and being held! You really like bath time, you are getting the hang of kicking your feet and splashing momma!

Dislikes:

Sleeping in your crib, you still like your bassinet. Right now nursing has been a challenge (you've been better with the bottle, not my favorite :( ). Being put down or left alone, you definitely are noticing when I'm no longer in your line of sight. You've gotten so good at tummy time, but you definitely let me know when you've had your fill. You do not like getting out of the tub, it's a little chilly!

Other random facts:

You sneeze several times a day
This month you have traveled to Lake Palestine and Nebraska
You went to church for the fist time and you did a great job, you loved the loud music
You got your first stuffy nose this month and you HATE having your nose messed with. The nasal aspirator, boogie wipes, and saline drops are all torture for you. You go from happy go lucky to screaming mad in no time at all!