A happy baby: Can you blame her?
The little one is getting bigger!
Doug and I went to an EARLY dinner at Carrabba's on Saturday afternoon to avoid the weekend rush. We had not gone out to dinner in some time. While out, the waiter commented on how "little" Ava was. It's funny to hear that, because she is SO MUCH BIGGER than she was when she first arrived. (She was 6 lbs 15 oz; she is now over 10 lbs, at least).
Here are the things she's been "up to" lately. I know the list is lengthy, but I am trying to capture everything while I remember, so please forgive me!
-Last night while Doug was holding her, she seemed to play "peek-a-boo" with me, smiling and then hiding her face in Doug's chest. This was adorable!
-She LOVES to "cheese" big-time. The higher-pitched and more crazily you talk to her, the bigger her grin!
-She loves to "stand-up" on your lap. She can't support her weight without help, but she LOVES to straighten her legs and use them. She also likes to bounce.
-When she is tired, she rubs the crown of her head with her left hand, or tugs at her ear.
-She HATED taking baths initially, but she is getting used to it more lately. Now, she hates being laid-down to be dried-off.
-She is probably between 10-11 lbs currently.
-She takes two BIG naps (1 1/2 hours to 2 hours each) a day...One at 10 a.m., the other at 1:30 or 2 p.m.
-She doesn't mind having her fingernails cut.
-She hates having her hair wet down / combed-out. She will cry bloody-murder if you do this.
-When crying "bloody murder" Ava is the biggest snorter. Without fail, she snorts when she is angry. It's pretty funny to hear.
-She hates having lotion applied to her torso. She will cry bloody-murder if you do this.
-If you smile at her, she will smile through her pacifier.
-She seems like a happy baby, in general.
-She only cries if she needs something (diaper changed, sleep, food).
-She is very vocal, talking and cooing to the animals that hang from her mobile on the floor.
-She likes to talk to me and Doug in the morning while we're changing her diaper.
-Her diapers aren't that stinky YET.
-She ate more at one month old than she eats lately. (Growth spurt?)
-She was VERY HARD to burp at first, but is easier to burp lately.
-She seems to have a somewhat sensitive stomach.
-When sleeping, both arms always make their way behind her head. It's really cute to see!
-When she was first born, she seemed to "migrate" so that her head was wedged into the corner of the bassinette. We would wake up to her crying. Her head with either be wedged in the corner, or her head would be stuck against the railing of the bassinette. Pretty funny stuff.
-She is a little heater! I thought babies were cool, but Ava is always very warm!
-She had more hair when she was born, but it is growing back in lately (and lighter).
-When she is in the bath, and we let her "swim" on her back... Her hair looks like sea-plants, waving in the water :-)
-Her nickname, at this point, is "Little Golden Buddha". I don't need to explain the "golden" part, and Buddha because of her cute belly.
-She seems to have big feet for such a little tyke.
-She has THE bluest eyes!
-Lately, her eyelashes are getting very long.
-She has more "Chins" than a Chinese phonebook.
-She is a light sleeper.
-She sleeps every night with the "waves" sound-effect machine on. Seems to like it.
-She is very strong in general.
-When on her stomach, she can lift her head high and her legs at the same time. She likes to play "supergirl" in the air, with her head and legs up at the same time.
-At first we thought she might be a "righty", but lately she will use her left hand.
-As of this weekend, she now tries to reach out toward things, as if to grab them.
-She is ticklish on the bottom of her feet and around her ribcage.
-I think she could develop physically early (i.e. walk, crawl), given how strong she is so far.
-She has "stork-bite" on the back of her neck (Doug and I both have this birthmark, too).
-She slept in her own room last night for the first time, in her crib. She did well!
-She seems to like to snuggle up to something while sleeping. She will find the side of her bassinette, etc, when sleeping.
-It typically takes her about 10 minutes to go to sleep, when you lay her down awake.
-She likes her pacifier.
-Within the past few days, it seems like she likes to snuggle more.
-She likes being carried / cradled upside down, with her stomach on your arms.
-She is a BUSYBODY! You should see this kid's neck in motion. She is always looking from one side of the room to another. You'd think she would get whiplash!
-She likes to "stomp" when you stand her up on your lap.
-You can tell she is listening to you when she crinkles her forehead.
-She seems to do well the more people she is passed around to...I never thought I would say that?
Having a baby is everything I thought it would be, and more. I think it is pretty much unexplainable how amazing it truly is.
We pray that she grows into a sweet, loving little girl and eventually a sweet, God-fearing lady.
Thanks for stopping by!
With love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava
