Four Weeks Old.

Miss Molly,

You are such a good baby! Granted, you like to be held and still don't really like your crib all that much, but I know it's not going to be forever that you want to be snuggled in Momma's arms, so I'll appreciate it now. I haven't even bothered putting you in your crib for nap time. I'll just hold you, or Grammy will hold you. I don't mind, really. It would be nice to get some things done, but I appreciate all the snuggles. I know some people say I'm spoiling you by holding you during nap times, but you're still good in your crib most night's. As long as that doesn't get screwed up then I'll be okay. We're getting some good 5 hour stretches in now, and I so appreciate it! We're still sleeping in until anywhere from 8-10:30 in the morning, and most of the nights you've slept in your crib. We usually sleep about 4-5 hours, wake up to eat, then back to sleep in the crib for another 2-3 hours, which is usually around the time Daddy goes to work. Once he goes to work, I bring you in bed with me in the Boppy and we go back to sleep after I feed you again. I think two nights last week we were in the recliner, but it's usually when Mommy gets tired and you want to be awake! I'm just too tired to try to get you to sleep, it's easier to fall asleep on the recliner with you in my arms.

We gave you your first bath in the tub this week! Aunt Jeanne gave us this thing that they used for Gwennie to keep your head out of the water, so that works really well for us. Daddy still gives you your baths, I'd like it if that was his thing to do, since he's gone all day long working, I think bath and bedtime should be his bonding time with you. He loves you so much, and I hope you know that, even if he's not around all the time because he's working.

I started pumping this week. Since I started block feeding - I know that my over supply is self diagnosed, and I should call the Lactation Consultant, just haven't yet - I didn't want to hurt my supply, so if you go for 2-3 hours between feedings, usually at night, then I'll pump whichever side I don't use. Now that I typed that out, though, it seems kind of counter-productive. Hmm. Maybe I'll put that call higher on my to do list...
But anyways, really I've been doing block feeding because your poops are kind of foamy. I'm sure you'll love to hear about that when you're 16, but I want to remember. I was googling what the foamy poops were and it seems to come from an imbalance of fore milk and hind milk. Since you aren't eating for more than 10ish minutes or so on one side, then it makes sense you aren't getting the hind milk that you need. Then you're hungry in an hour, so I've been doing 2 hour blocks of nursing on the same side. Sometimes I think it works and other time I don't think it works. I don't know, I really should call the LC.

Let's see, we went to your Auntie Dawn's birthday party last week and you totally stole the show. Christopher even said that you were the cutest baby he's ever seen before! Everyone kept giving you kisses and complimenting you, saying how adorable you were. You barely fussed, only when you were hungry and once I fed you, you were just fine again. It's weird, everyone knows that babies cry, but when I take you out, I want you to be the perfect baby, it doesn't make sense. I get embarrassed if you fuss or cry, and it makes me feel like other people think I'm not a good mom because I can't keep my baby from crying. Guess it's a strange parent thing. Well, maybe a mom thing.
We also went to Walmart last weekend, and I wore you in the Ergo, and loved it! You loved it, too, slept the whole time. I got a couple funny looks, and a couple compliments from people. It's so comfortable to wear, and I have free hands! It's hard to eat while I'm wearing you, but that's okay, I wouldn't wear it to a restaurant. Daddy even wore you on Sunday when we went to Kohl's for some new clothes for Mommy. He said he felt weird, but he knows how much easier it is than carrying the car seat or pushing the stroller.

You can follow our voices and faces now! The other night while Daddy was talking and then walked out of your line of vision you followed him until you couldn't anymore and then just waited until he walked back. Grammy was doing the same thing, just walking back and forth and you followed her. You're starting to make sounds, too, just some baby noises. It's adorable!

We've gone for a couple walks this week, and even took a walk with Haley and Enoch (the youth minister at my church's wife and son). Enoch is only 3 months older than you, so hopefully you two can be good friends! It's strange to see how big he is compared to you, and I don't like to think you'll be that big, but I know it's coming. I just looked at the pictures I've taken of you (about 300 in one month!) and can't believe how much you've already grown!

We have about a week and a half until your next pediatrician's appointment and I'm anxious to see how much you weigh, and how long you are! You also have to get two shots, which I'm not thrilled about, but I know you have to get them. I have a few questions to ask the pediatrician, your eyes are really goopy, constantly I have to wipe them, and I didn't know what that was from. Also, about the foamy poop, and you make this gasping/wheezing noise a lot. It's like you can't catch your breath. It makes me nervous. You always do catch your breath and it doesn't seem to bother you, but I'd like to know what it's caused by and if it's anything to worry about.

I just can't believe how big you're getting! Daddy and I were just talking about how it seems like you've been here forever. I told him I think you were always with us in our minds and hearts, as corny as that sounds, and it just makes sense for you to be here with us baby girl! We love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

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P.S. My mom dug this picture of me out, I'm on the left at 2 months old, and Molly is on the right at 4 weeks. It's so weird how similar we look, don't you think???