Mommy took this picture because tonight, a lot of people decided to hold hands on the Hawthorne bridge in Portland to show their love to the world. So everyone feels happy to love. To remind people that love is a beautiful beautiful thing. We couldn't go to the Hawthorne bridge but we can love each other everywhere and anywhere. Anytime and all the time.
Your tiny werewolf hairs are slowly falling out. Daddy noticed most of the ears on your ear are gone, those were our favorite werewolf baby hairs.
Your body grew the lanugo hair when you were in mommy's belly to help protect your skin. When you were in mommy's belly there was some creamy sticky stuff on you called vernix, it sticks to the lanugo better than bare skin, and the vernix protects your skin while you were growing and being born. The nurses and midwife helped wipe you clean when you came out.
You don't need your lanugo anymore, but it makes mommy a little reminiscent of when you were very tiny and I got to see you for the first time, noticing all the hair on your ears and back.
Mommy didn't take a picture of your werewolf hairs but here is a picture of you when you were sleeping outside mommy's belly for the first time.
The first time we took you to the Oregon coast, it was too windy and cold and you didn't really like it. This time you were in a better mood and it wasn't so windy. We walked along a dock behind Mo's Restaurant and I took this picture of Daddy and I.
When I rubbed the sand off of your feet, I think it tickled a bit because you crinkled up your toes.
You had a rough morning. Mommy's Grandma's funeral was this morning. It was important for mommy to be at it, for grandpa JJ especially. Daddy took you to the back of the church, to the Crying Room in case you got upset. He told me after it was over that you were very upset for a long time, and you were screaming too loud for even the crying room. I felt sad that I couldn't be with you, it doesnt happen often that I cant be there for you when you need me, but it was important for me to be with Grandpa JJ. He was very sad that his mommy died. I was also sad too, you didnt get to meet her. She was sick for a long time before she went to Heaven, and her sickness made her confused a lot. She was ready to go to Heaven, she had a good life here on Earth and she was ready to meet Jesus. Great Grandpa James Edward went to Heaven a long time ago and she missed him. Mommy will write more about Great Grandma and Great Grandpa McGovern soon.
You were finally asleep when we were done with the funeral, but mommy got you and fed you and you snuggled with mommy as we mingled with Great Grandma Lenna's friends and family. After the reception we went home to get ready for the coast. I am sure that Great Grandma Lenna would be happy that we were going to have a good time enjoying the coast and eachother this weekend and she wants us to be happy.
You sleeping on the way:
Well 2nd time away really, when you were itty bitty, like a week old, mommy left you with Daddy right after you fell asleep to go grocery shopping quickly. You were very upset by the time I got home. It broke my heart. I try to forget your tiny red face and the pit in my heart I felt when I came in and you were screaming.
I hadn't left you since, not further than Grandma & Grandpa's house, which I could throw a stone at from our deck, if it wasn't rude to throw stones.
Mommy was invited to a Ladies dinner for Aunt Sarah's birthday. Adults only.
Most babies get bottles of pumped mommymilk or formula occasionally in their first few months, you haven't ever had a bottle. Mommy and Daddy decided, if you got hungry before dinner was over, Daddy would try to give you a bottle of Mommymilk for the first time.
Well, I nursed you in the parking lot of Red Robin when daddy dropped me off, you had a good sized meal, I snuggled you back into your car seat and said I'll see you later. And went inside. Daddy took you to Aunt Sarah and Uncle Ed's house to hang out, it's just down the street from Red Robin.
When I told Aunt Jenny that this would be your first bottle, she said she was very impressed, it's hard being a new mom and breastfeeding exclusively means that I can't get away, I can't get a full night's sleep, and for some moms, it hurts a lot in the beginning.
But I didn't want to get away, and I did my best to sleep when you did, I committed to wait at least until you were 1 month old. It was hard but I love nursing you. It's best for both of us, and I was(still am) worried that you will prefer the bottle, because it's easier to get milk out of. It happens to lots of babies, and often times, their mommy can't pump enough milk for them, and their breasts stop making as muck milk. Baby's saliva trigger milk production, in addition to sucking the milk out. I want to nurse you for a long time, I know Mommymilk is best, so we waited to give you a bottle for 3 months.
I had looked up on mommy blogs and parenting websites how to give a first bottle. I told Daddy what I learned and some things to try. I packed a bottle of Mommymilk, with a slow flow nipple, so it's not too easy for you. I also packed a baby medicine spoon and dropper, in case you refused to suck on the bottle.
You didn't need any of it. Daddy said you were restless for awhile and tired, so he put you in the car and drove around to help you sleep. You dozed a bit but wanted mommy, so as soon as dinner was done and we were getting ready to leave the restaurant, I told Daddy and he came to get me. I took you right outta the car and snuggled and kissed your beautiful face. I had missed you. But I had a good time, I trusted daddy wouldn't let you get too upset and it's important for you and Daddy to bond together. It's important for mommy to have grown-up time too.
We might still give you a bottle of Mommymilk soon, if a good enough reason comes up.
If not, that's ok, I don't plan on leaving you for more than a couple hours anyway.
I love watching you grow and learn!
Tonight isn't the first time this happened, I laid down to nurse you to sleep with plans to get up and do housework while you sleep. After your was tummy full and some dreams danced behind your eyes, I tried to wriggle away. Your tiny soft hand reached out to touch my skin and I was sucked back in, unable to get up. I love you more than anything, I'm addicted to loving you.
~Mommy
Annie is sometimes a little jealous of Grandma holding you.
You were in a pretty happy mood today, we sat in the kitchen with Grandma, Great Grandma and Great Aunt Shirley, you really liked Shirley, you laughed and squealed with her, "talking" a lot.
You ended up getting really tired from having so much fun, Mommy walked around with you, singing "you are my sunshine"
I don't plan on you having much screen time, as it doesn't offer much for your cognitive or physical development, but watching movies is part of life that mommy and daddy thoroughly enjoy and I believe it's positive for your emotional growth to spend time with us doing what we enjoy doing. Some movie time as a family is good for all of us.
It's so cute how interested you seem in the movie Hercules, you sat like this for a long time.
Society may frown on a lot of things, but really, why? It's not a big deal and I believe that if you are armed with a tool to help you combat stress, you should be allowed to use it.
People may say that you're too little to know what's best for you and that I should discourage you from it because it's habit forming, but it's much better for you to have a habit that helps you, than not have an outlet for stress. I don't feel guilty for the binkie, I see first hand how it helps you, it's natural for babies to suck, it releases stress reducing hormones in the brain, it's instinctual for a reason.
I'm not worried about the habit, better to have a minor habit to help you with later, if you don't self wean, than a stressed baby during such important times now.
You're the best!
