Carolyn

Hitting the Bottle

Sarah Carolyn

Dear Carolyn,

Everyone says you need to “introduce” a bottle (Carolyn, this is bottle; bottle, this is Carolyn) by 6 weeks if a baby’s ever going to drink from one, so we experimented a little tonight. You weren’t sure at first, but then you apparently decided milk is yummy from whatever source and drank it without too much complaint. I only put about 3 oz. in the bottle, and you felt that wasn’t enough, so we nursed for a bit afterwards anyway.

I promise I won’t use this as an excuse to leave you for long periods of time, though, just maybe to catch a movie once in a while…

Love, Mommy

Happy First Thanksgiving!

Sarah Firsts

Dear Carolyn,

Today was your first Thanksgiving. We watched some of the parade on TV in our pajamas, and then we got ready to go to your great-grandmother’s house for a big feast. Everybody was there, and so excited to see you. Your cousins Benjamin and D.J. were there – they’re only a few months older than you, but they’re so big and active already. You, on the other hand, slept almost the whole time, which amazed everyone. (It worries me, because I’m not sure you’re going to sleep at all tonight!)

You didn’t wear your adorable “My First Thanksgiving” outfit for very long – we had a slight wardrobe malfunction requiring a whole new change of clothes. Thank goodness for large, well-stocked diaper bags! You also insisted on sitting at the table with us for dinner – the only time you were wide awake was while I tried to eat. That’s OK, though, this is probably the first Thanksgiving that I haven’t eaten too much…because I hardly had time for firsts, let alone seconds!

I’m looking forward to all the rest of your first holidays so much. Except from now on I’ll remember to have a backup holiday-themed outfit…just in case!

Love, Mommy

One Month Old!

Sarah Monthly Updates

Dear Carolyn,

Today you are one month old! I find this amazing for so many reasons – I can’t believe it’s already been a month, I can’t believe it’s only been a month, I can’t believe a month can fly by so quickly… I can barely remember life before you (B.C. – Before Carolyn). In fact, it feels like I’ve always had you to take care of.

You’re starting to be so much more alert now. You smile and giggle when things amuse you. Your favorite toys so far are the teddy bears that hang above your pack and play and your musical lamb – well, at least, you notice those toys the most. You’re not terribly fond of your swing, or of being put down while you’re sleeping. You’d much rather sleep on me or Daddy. I guess I can understand that, since you were part of me for so long…being alone must be quite a frightening experience. (Don’t tell your pediatrician, but you sleep in bed with us more than in your cradle. It’s the only way we can get those nice long six-hour stretches you so graciously give us most nights!)

Once you learn how to talk, we’re never going to get a word in edgewise. You coo and giggle, shriek (I think with happiness) and say “ah-goo”. You flirt with your toys…I think you think they’ll give in and pick you up because you are so darn cute. I hate to break it to you, but you’re bigger than they are, so even if they do wake up and move around when I’m not in the room, they can’t lift you. You’ve got this great little “ah-ah” sound you make, too, which I’ve translated to mean “I am the cutest baby ever, now pick me up before I start screaming!” You make good on the threat, too.

Everyone says you’re the most beautiful baby they’ve ever seen. I may be a little biased, but I have to agree. I’ve also been told you’re brilliant for your age. That’s a little scary to me, but hey, you can be as brilliant as you want. Besides, every kid thinks they know so much more than their parents while they’re growing up, so it may as well be true for you. You’re growing so quickly, too. I do just have one thing to say, though…please don’t be in a hurry to grow up! I love watching you change and seeing all the new things you’re discovering and learning, but please take your time about it. I’ve never been very good about changes, and it’s hard for me to think that you’re never going to be one month old again after today.

You’ve really made me a morning person. You are just so darn cheerful in the morning, and it’s hard for me not to be cheerful in return. I’ve watched so many more sunrises since you were born – not because you wake me up earlier, but because we’re usually nursing in your room around when the sky is turning all shades of sky-blue-pink, and it gives me an excuse to just watch the colors change through your window instead of doing the things I used to think were important. I think I’ve learned almost as much as you have this past month. You’re a great teacher. (You get that from your Daddy.)

Love, Mommy

Hair Cuts For All!

Sarah Firsts

No, no, no, we didn’t really get Carolyn’s hair cut today, but she did come with me to the salon. My mom, grandmother and I all had appointments at the same time, and of course Carrie slept through until it was my turn. Oh, well. I nursed her in one of the massage rooms and then my mom showed her all the pretty mirrors and fascinating lights until I was done.

Now my hairs are shorter – which is silly, I’d like to grow my hair out but I keep getting it cut – and Carolyn has had her first introduction to the salon.

Big Smiles

Sarah Firsts

Dear Carolyn,

Although you’ve been smiling in your sleep since the day you were born, and you’ve even smiled while awake many times in the past couple of weeks, today was the first smile I think you truly meant for me. You were making your little “oh” face, where your eyes are big and surprised looking, and your mouth forms a cute little “oh” shape. I made it back at you, and you smiled the biggest smile, and let out a little giggle-shriek. You really are the cutest baby ever.


We also went to our first Sit & Knit tonight. You wore the pretty purple jacket Lisa made for you. You were convinced you wanted to nurse, but since you had just before we left, we tried the binky instead. I hate how blissed out you look when you have that in your mouth – it’s like a baby drug. But you love it, and we only use it once or twice a week, so I guess it’s ok. You had a good time staring at all the lights at Starbucks. I never realized how fascinating lights are until you came along. You flirt with the halogen lamp in Grandma’s living room. Did I mention you’re the cutest baby ever?

Love, Mommy

Solo Shopping

Sarah Firsts

Dear Carolyn,

We went to the mall today. It started out that we were just going to the post office for stamps. Then I realized I really needed gas. Then, you were sleeping so nicely in the car (you were a little fussy all day and hadn’t napped much) that I thought about taking you somewhere else. So, we went Christmas outfit shopping. I think I found something for you to wear, but I didn’t buy it yet.

Who knew there would be so many logistics? Managing a stroller through a door by yourself isn’t as easy as it looks, and can they put the clothing racks in the stores just a little closer together? But it worked, and I’m sure it will get a little easier to go out alone with you every time I do it.

Love, Mommy

File Under: TMI

Sarah Carolyn

Dear Carolyn,

Today we went to see a lactation consultant. I’ve been pretty sore, and supposedly that should be gone by now. Turns out, we have thrush. I guess the antibiotics they had to give me after the c-section were probably the culprit. Sorry about that! Anyway, the good news is, there’s a cause, and a treatment, and that means it will get better.

You weigh 8 lbs., 9 oz. now! That means in the 23 days you’ve been here, you’ve gained almost two whole pounds! (Don’t worry, I can do that in a day if I try hard enough. Although in the 23 days you’ve been here, I’ve lost over 30 pounds and only have about 5 more to go…)

By the way, the lactation consultant said you’re brilliant. She was very impressed with how much you talk (apparently, you’re not supposed to be saying “ah-goo” for another couple of months yet) and the fact that you turn your head to look at people when they talk. Of course, we’ve known all along that you’re brilliant, but then again we’re just a little biased.

Oh, and along with the thrush, you apparently have a minor reflux issue. Um, yeah, that could explain the spitting up you’ve been doing so much lately. It doesn’t seem to be affecting your weight gain, though, so I guess we don’t have anything to worry about.

Love, Mommy

P.S. Guess what? I drove today for the first time in two months! No more bedrest, and I’m recovered enough from surgery! Freedom is a wonderful thing.

Rubber Ducky

Sarah Firsts

Dear Carolyn,

Today you had your first real bath.

You weren’t all that certain at first, but you quickly made friends with the faucet and the water, and seemed to have a good time. (We won’t mention that the instant you hit the water, you, um, added to it.) You really like your hooded towel, and we put you in your Winnie the Pooh robe for a little while after.

I can’t wait until you have a little better head control and take a little more interest in toys, because I bet you’re going to love bath time!

Love, Mommy

Shopping!

Sarah Firsts

Dear Carolyn,

Today we went shopping! (Actually, your very first shopping trip was this past Thursday, when we went to Target – you looked around with your eyes wide in amazement the whole time.) We went to Tom Wahl’s for lunch. Someday, Great-Grandpa will have to introduce you to their “good milk”. I fed you in public for the first time, although technically it was in the mothers’ room at Babies ‘R’ Us, so it wasn’t really all that public. Oh, and we got your stroller out for the first time, too. It’s actually pretty easy to use.

You did really well, but I am exhausted. Sometimes I wish I could crawl into your carrier with you and take a nap while someone else carted me around!

Love, Mommy

All By Ourselves

Sarah Firsts

Dear Carolyn,

Today was the first day we spent all by ourselves. Daddy was at work, Nana and Poppy and Great-Gramie all left yesterday. It was a hard day. I haven’t quite figured out how to be somewhat rested, fed and dressed all at the same time yet. You, on the other hand, are perfectly clean, full, and have slept for most of the day – just not for long enough periods for me to do much of anything.

OK, I take that back, it’s really just that I can’t stand to put you down long enough to do much. It’s not that you can’t sleep in your cradle or pack & play, it’s just that you’re so snuggly, and you won’t be not quite three weeks old ever again. I’ll figure it out eventually, I’m sure.

Love, Mommy