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!