Elsa: Two Months

Blog note: I didn't mean to offend anyone in my last post. I was just trying to be honest about my pospartum journey with my body and exercise. I have been candid about my past struggles with weight and running has been a large factor in the lifestyle changes I made to be healthier. I have been running for many years now and worked hard to get to the pace I was accustomed to. I realize I may not necessarily be slow, but it is not easy to regress. Does that make sense? I didn't intend for my post to come across rude or condescending. I apologize if it did.

So, I am once again so behind because Elsa turned two months old on Dec. 19. She had her two-month pedi appointment on her actual two month birthday. Here are her stats: 12lb7oz (85th percentile), 24" long (93rd percentile), and her head was 15.04" (37th percentile). She's certainly growing fast! I had been absolutely dreading her two-month shots and MY tears started when the nurse brought them into the room. Two in each leg. I just squatted down next to her, held her little hand, looked into those big eyes, and tried to comfort her. It was so sad:( I nursed her immediately after and she calmed down right away. She ended up sleeping most of the day and I felt fortunate that she did not get super-fussy, the reaction that some babies have.

Elsa is such a good little baby. We are so blessed. She is so patient (not sure where she got that because neither Jason nor I are patient) and easy-going. She never fusses or cries when we fumble with her clothes or her diapers. She continues to be easy to comfort when she is upset. She sometimes gets worked up in her car seat if we are not moving or if the car is stopped at a red light. She also gets fussy when we give her a bottle, but she is getting better. Jason gives her a bottle most nights and some nights are better than others. I probably should have started her on the bottle sooner, but that first month just flies by and you are figuring out how to breastfeed and are so tired. Plus, I have to pump when she gets a bottle and pumping is such a pain compared to just whipping out your boob. But, I am building a small freezer stash and she obviously needs to take a bottle so that I can go out and do things.

She has started to give really big gummy smiles and "talks" to you. Nothing is cuter, let me tell you, than when your baby starts to interact with you. Even in the middle of the night when you're ass tired, she gives you that big ol' smile and your heart explodes. Once again, I have a mix of nice photos from the camera with ones from the iPod. Speaking of cameras, we got a new lens, a 50mm/1.8G, in order to get better portrait photos.

In spite of my best efforts to keep them trimmed, Elsa's nails grow superfast and she managed to majorly scratch herself. Most of the photos from month two of her life will prominently feature her giant scratch.

Practicing tummy time:

Elsa is really starting to notice her surroundings and bats at the toys hanging from her activity mat. She entertains herself on her mat if I need to pump or do chores or whatnot.

We celebrated the first Thanksgiving of Elsa's life at my mom's house with her cousins.

She took her first ride in the Chariot at Forest Park with the dogs.

And when we go places with her and the dogs, she has her guardian pit bull watching over her.

Sleep has been pretty good at night and so-so during the day. Her first stretch of the night is the longest and might even be seven hours. She is a sleepy little lady in the evening and usually goes to bed between 7-8. Then she gets up once or twice/night and wakes up between 6-7. Naps are another story. No matter how soundly she appears to be sleeping in my arms, she wakes up when I put her down for a nap. So, she spends a lot of time sleeping in the Moby and she also sleeps in her swing. Since I eased back into work at 6w postpartum, I need her to sleep so that I can work and if she only sleeps in the Moby, that's where I will put her. I really love to snuggle with her, so I'm not complaining if I wear her in the Moby.

My brother and sister-in-law sent her an adorable onesie all the way from Maine, perfect for Elsa's hipster urban lifestyle.

And we took her to pick out her first Christmas tree, also the first one we've gotten as a couple.

We've snuggled in bed for naps.

Where I stared at her while she slept and wondered how I got so lucky.

Elsa went to her first soiree, an engagement party for Jason's coworker.

She made funny faces that we couldn't resist capturing every one of.

And I made her pose in front of the Christmas tree.

Happy two months to my sweet angel. I love you and those chubby cheeks more each day.