1 Month Old!

Dear Brenna,

Here I am, writing your one month old post/letter two days late. That seems to pretty much be the story of our lives these days! Always running a little late! ;) That's okay though, we don't want to rush time too much, you're already growing up way too fast!

You turned one month old on Easter Sunday! I think that's so perfect, because this was the first Easter that I really understood what Easter meant. I always thought it was great and amazing and hard to believe, but this time, when I looked at you as the choir was singing about Jesus being ALIVE! I was just amazed that God let his only son die on a cross to save me - and you - from our own sins. Isn't that so cool? I can't wait until you are old enough to understand how lucky you are that God gave his son for you. Amazing! (Oops, I just realized I said "I can't wait"....I always fuss at Daddy for saying that, because I don't want to rush anything with you - you're growing up too fast as it is!)

We've had such a fun month. Daddy got to spend 2 weeks with us before he went back to work. We did some shopping and went on a fun walk during that time. We also took lots of naps with you in our arms. You are our new favorite hobby, little girl. We could just look at you for hours. Since then, it's been just you and me. We mostly have really good days, but there have been a few rough ones. That's par for the course I'm pretty sure. Lately you've been taking better naps, and this had made you much happier during the times in between.

You are finally gaining weight, and this makes Mommy so much calmer. I was trying so hard to make sure you were getting plenty of food, and now I can rest assured that you are, and we can enjoy time together more! You've really learned how to nurse better and I'm so proud of you! When I pump you a bottle, you almost always take right at 3 ounces. That's perfect for your age! You weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces at the doctor yesterday. Daddy and I tried to measure you last week - and our rough guess is that you are about 22.5 inches long and your head is 14.5 inches around. It looks like you might be tall and slim - nothing like me!

You have become a pretty good night sleeper. We usually nap on the couch until about midnight and you take your last feed then. You usually sleep til 4:00 or 5:00 - and sometimes I even have to wake you up to feed you! You used to be impossible to get back to sleep, but lately you've been doing better! Keep it up. We try to take at least one nap together during the day - and I love to just lay there and stare at you for awhile. I think you might lay there and stare at me, too, because I probably fall asleep before you do. Luckily for me, you usually sleep an extra hour after I wake up, so I get a few things done around the house during that time! Now that you are gaining weight, we'll let you start trying to sleep through the night before too long, and I have high expectations for this! ;)

Just yesterday you've started to smile AT me, instead of just randomly. I'm not sure how much you mean to do it, but it melts my heart every time. You especially seem to like when I kiss your little nose a bunch of times in a row. Get used to it, kiddo, you are going to be kissed a LOT! I also love the little noises you've started making. I think you've figured out that you can "talk" too! You are also tracking things much more and really focusing on what you see. You've also gotten really good at finding your fingers to suck on - it's so cute! I love seeing you be more aware of what's around you, but I already miss that teeny tiny, oblivious to the world, newborn stage. I know it'll always be like this - loving one stage while missing the one before!

Thank you for making me a mommy and daddy a daddy. You have turned our world around, and we wouldn't have it any other way. I love you, my little Sprout!