Four Months

Charlotte,

Happy 4 months, pretty girl! This past month has been so fun as we've watched you grow and mature from a helpless newborn into an adventurous and curious baby.

You are such a big girl! You are already pushing your legs out of your 3-6 months sleepers. Almost everywhere we go together someone comments on your chunkiness! It is honestly one of the precious things about you. Between your chubby cheeks, round blue eyes and porcelain skin, its no wonder you draw so much attention.

Baby girl, you have accomplished so much this month! You can roll over both ways and love getting places this way. You are gaining more and more control of your limbs and hands as you reach for things, like momma's hair. You are now sleeping through the night with just a little dream feed at ten. Then you are happy until morning!

I still see so much of your daddy in you, but I can tell you have traits of mine mixed in there too. You're a firecracker and a determined little thing. I like to think you got that from me. But your stubbornness ...that's all your Dad.  

My joy in you grows everyday as does my pride in all you have learned. Darling girl, you are my littlest best friend. I love you. Happy 4 months!

Three Months

Charlotte, 

You are growing and changing so fast! This month has been full of new milestones, accomplishments and changes. In just one week you learned to suck your thumb and can soothe yourself to sleep. And you now sleep in your own bed in your own room! All of these changes happened before you even turned three months. I am so proud of you, my little love!

Babbling to mama and daddy is one of your new favorite things. I think you just like to hear yourself talk! You are becoming less fussy and irritable with each passing day. You sleep at least eight hours uninterrupted every night, sometimes more. You still love to nurse and eat about every three hours throughout the day. And boy does it show! You are such a big girl! Long and chubby. But it is so precious.

Each month as I write these letters to you my heart swells with pride and excitement at what is still to come in your little life. I try to slow down and enjoy each moment with you as the months seem to be simply flying by. Even on our worst days you still give my life so much fulfillment and purpose. I am proud to be your momma and to be given the opportunity to teach you all I know about this life and the hope we have in Jesus. 

Sweet Charlie girl I am so in love with you. Happy three months!

Two Months

Charlotte, 

Another month has rushed by. And what a joy this month has been! You have grown and changed so much in such a short period of time. You now sleep soundly and easily each night. You take a good long nap each evening allowing Daddy and me to eat dinner and spend a little time together. Later in the evening we go through your bedtime routine, which I believe helps you wind down and recognize that bed time is near. Daddy and I give you a bathe and talk to you. You have such a sweet litte voice, my darling girl. You smile and squeal at us and watch our mouths as we make silly noises for you. After your bath Daddy swaddles you tight and I feed you one last time before you drift off for the night. Around four or five in the morning, you wake me with your hungry cry and I pull you into bed and feed you. Nursing all comfy in bed knocks you right out and you usually don't wake again until Daddy gets up for work. 

Though you are beginning to thrive by following your daily routines, our trip to Illinois to visit family left you a little ragged and confused. But our trip was more than worth it! Your grandparents, uncles and great-grandparents were thrilled to see you and spend time with you, even when you were fussy! You bring so much joy to your family, my love.

Each new stage of your life is a new adventure, my love, and your Daddy and I are so in love with you. Happy 2 months, sweet Charlie girl.

One Month

Charlotte, 

I can hardly believe you are finally here and truly ours. This past month has been a roller coaster of healing and change in our lives. But it has also been a wonderful bonding experience for the three of us. Your arrival was earlier than expected and rather traumatic. My labor was one of love as I physically and emotionally ached to meet you. The moment you were laid in my arms was unlike anything I had ever experienced. There you were in all your tiny beauty, crying out to us. You were ours.

Watching you grow this past month has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. What an honor it is to be entrusted by God to raise and care for you.

Your first few weeks of life were busy and full of visitors. Both sets of grandparents rushed down to see you after you were born. Daddy's grandma McDonald came down to visit as well. They all loved on you like crazy. You were a spoiled girl! After they left, your great-grandma Ziegenbein came to stay with us. And in just a few weeks, we are going home to Illinois. You will turn two months old there and will get to meet your uncles. Everyone is so excited to see you again!  

You are nursing just as perfectly as you did in the hospital. You are always so excited and anxious to eat that I often have to calm you down beforehand. I like to nurse you in the rocker so we both can just relax and enjoy our time together. You catch my eye while you're feeding and my heart bursts. We snuggle together afterwards for as long as you'll let me.

You have grown so big, sweetheart! You regained your hospital weight by your first doctor's appointment. They were so impressed with us. I am proud and happy to see you so big and content. You are following momma and daddy's eyes and voices and you respond to sounds and touch. You are beginning to "talk" to us more with your baby coos and grunts. You have better control of your head now and like to pull away when we burp you. We have been swaddling you tight at night to keep you warm and give you comfort. You always do such an adorable baby stretch when daddy un-swaddles you to change your diaper. We both just stare at you and smile. 

You are beginning to follow a nighttime routine and it is helping you sleep longer. The first few weeks you would wake every two hours to eat. You were often fussy and had a hard time falling back asleep. Now you are starting to go longer stretches, four hours at most. It's a start! I think you are on your way to longer restful periods at night.

You were not a big fan of baths the first time you experienced one and you still don't care for them. Daddy and I rotate giving you a full bath a few times a week and a small sponge bath the other evenings. We can finally get you completely wet since your umbilical cord fell off. You also love your pacifier. They gave you one in the hospital without our consent and I was so worried that you would forget how to nurse. Thankfully, that has not been a problem at all. You love to breastfeed and you love your pacifiers. 

This past month has taught me so much about God's love. I am humbled and awestruck by His goodness. I can't wait to share His love with you, my darling.   

Charlotte, you are a joy and blessing in our lives. We love you more than you could ever imagine. Happy one month, my love!  

  

30 Weeks & A Peek at the Nursery

Things are flying by so quickly now. I am headed home to visit family at the end of the week and Jordan will be arriving a week later. Our families have showers planned to celebrate baby girl's upcoming arrival. I am truly looking forward to seeing my family and our old friends one last time before we become parents. 

Here is a peek into our life as it slowly shifts in anticipation of our little lady. 

 This pink blanket was made for me by my Grandma Udry. Now our little girl can enjoy it. Baby girl's room will be soft shades of pink and peach with gray and cream blended in.  

Precious tutu from Paula Luebbert, our good friend's mom. I can't wait to see her in it.

A dresser/changing table already full of books and empty photo albums. 

My Grandma Ziegenbein already sent us a package full of sweet, girly clothes. This dress and cardigan is one of my favorites. I'm sure it will keep her both warm and stylish during the winter here in Florida. 

Soft, plush toys to entertain Baby K from my friend Caitlin and her husband. 

Baby's size: Last Friday, baby weighed 3 lbs 11 oz. 

 

Sleep: Waking all the time to go to the restroom. Leg cramps and "charlie horses" also jolt me awake out of nowhere. 

Maternity Clothes: Anything and everything I can get my hands on. My belly is much too big for my pre-pregnancy clothes now. 

Food cravings: Fountain sodas with a touch of caffeine to keep me going. 

 

Food aversions: None really.

 

Symptoms I have: We discovered at our last ultrasound that she is arching her spine into my ribs. Which explained the constant pressure and pain in my ribs! 

 

Doctor’s Appointment: I'm headed to the cardiologist this afternoon for an echocardiogram. My next OB appointment is on Wednesday before I head home for a few weeks. 

 

Movement: Constantly.

 

Belly Button: Out, for a long time now.

 

Gender: Girl!

 

What I’m looking forward to: Heading home to see family and friends before this girl changes our life forever!

 

What I miss: Energy! But I love my baby girl. She's worth it. 

Currently

Our baby girl has been waking me up with crazy kicking. It seems that she is lulled to sleep during the day while I'm awake and moving around. Come night time, she wakes up and has a little dance party in my belly. As if to remind me that she is there, and growing. Baby girl, you're all I think about. I haven't forgotten about you. 

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We are back home in Florida and it sure feels good. California is gorgeous. But, our life is here. And we missed it. 

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I'm enjoying reconnecting with Florida friends and meeting some new ones. I've been getting nervous about losing friendships when the baby comes, so I've been more intentional lately in my relationships. Here's to keeping good friendships going strong and developing new, meaningful ones.  

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I've been learning to rely on God more than ever before. The process of buying this house and moving has been a constant stress. God has really shown me how deeply He desires for me to cast my cares on Him rather than take them all on myself. He has provided more for us than we deserve and blessed us in ways that we cannot even explain. 

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Yesterday, we signed on our first home! After we make the move into the new house, I will share some pictures. 

I've been imagining our little family in that house for some time now. I can't wait to get settled in and begin working on our sweet baby's nursery. My mom is visiting next week to help out. I think she is just as excited as I am.  

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I've had some pregnancy blues as I've experienced my body changing. My grandma told me to embrace it and stop trying to wear my pre-pregnancy clothes. It just ain't gonna happen. 

You're right, Grandma. 

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How far along: 24 Weeks

 

Baby's size: Just over a pound (according to Baby Center). 

 

Sleep: Better when I don't exercise. Awful when I do. For the most part, I am sleeping plenty and enjoying it. 

 

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah. 

 

Food cravings: Nothing specific right now. 

 

Food aversions: None really.

 

Symptoms I have: Sciatic back pain. Achy hips.

 

Doctor’s Appointment: Soon, I hope! In the process of switching from Tricare West to South. 

 

Movement: All night long. Even when it wakes me, I love feeling her kick and move. 

Belly Button: Out!

 

Gender: Little lady.

 

What I’m looking forward to: My mother's visit next week. I'm excited to share more about my pregnancy and the baby during her stay. 

 

What I miss: Working out without feeling awful afterwards. 

21 Weeks

21 weeks.

Over halfway there. I cannot believe that we are already this far along.

We're still in California. And, although I adore the weather and the mountains, I am ready to be back home. I miss cooking and baking, the comfort of my own bed and the Florida sunshine. The beaches here have their appeal, but nothing like the hot sand and warm air of the east coast. I guess I've finally become a true Florida girl.

Our baby girl is doing wonderful. I'm enjoying her little kicks and nudges throughout the day, reminding me that she is growing bigger and will make her appearance soon! My mom is coming to visit in October and we have plans to start registry shopping and designing her nursery. Things have become more exciting and the nesting bug has bitten. 

We've also settled on a name. It's a beautiful name that seems to fit this girl perfectly. Jordan loves it just as much as I do, which makes my heart swell.

 How far along: 21 weeks, 2 days

Baby's size: Last week, the doctor told me our baby is measuring about a week and half ahead in length. She definitely doesn't get that from me!

Sleep: Not too bad. I had been struggling with back pain a few weeks before, but I have found some more comfortable ways to sleep now.

Maternity clothes: In desperate need! I found a cute, cheap pair of maternity jeans a few days ago, but I am still in need of some tops and skirts.

Food cravings: Nothing ridiculous lately. Just hungry for anything :)

Food aversions: None.

Symptoms I have: Occasional back pain, some round ligament pain and weird pains at the top of my ribs.  

Doctor’s appointment: Friday morning will be my last appointment in California. 

Movement: Yes. And oh, is it the best feeling in the world.

Belly button: Almost completely out. 

Gender: Girl!

What I’m looking forward to: Getting back to Florida and seeking out a new OB. 

What I miss: Fitting into my clothes, haha! I'm seriously running out of options.