Noni Love

My mom was here for the past six weeks until she flew back East yesterday.  She was here for Orelia's birth and has been with us every day of Orelia's life...until today.

All of the books I've read emphasize the special relationship grandparents have with their grandchildren, and I have to agree, there really is something unique about it.  Orelia loves her Noni and her Noni loves her, and I know that they will always have a special bond.

Both Orelia and I were missing Noni around the house today.  My mom was there for me just as she's been there for Orelia, and I miss the company and the assistance.  The first month of parenting is daunting yet fun, and I'm glad I had my mom around to help and share the experience with me.  Orelia, of course, enjoyed the countless hours she spent in her Noni's arms and will miss her enthusiasm, patience, and lullabies.

Life in the Hood

O has decided that life in the hood isn't so bad.

So long as it just means hanging out naked in a hooded towel.

Orelia at One Month

I can scarcely believe that our girl is one month old already.  She is such a different little person than she was when she was born.

10 days vs. One month

She turned one month old yesterday, but my mom and I didn't get around to taking her to the hospital to weigh her until today.  She's up to 9 lb 11 oz. from her 7 lb 4 oz. birth weight.

Our rough measurements have her at 22.5 inches (up from 20.5 when she was born).  She is growing like she should, which is such a relief.

At one month, Orelia knows her mommy, daddy, and Noni well.  She looks at all of us and seems to know what to expect - Mommy is the feedbag and all business, Daddy is for fun, and Noni is the softie.

She has started smiling at us, and by us I really just mean her daddy.  When he gets home from work she is so excited to spend time in his arms.

She spends more and more time awake during the day, usually looking around and taking everything in.  She loves the mobile in her crib and has been enjoying her play gym quite a bit.  Shaking a rattle near her is sure to get her attention, though she surprisingly has hardly noticed Harper yet.

We aren't sleeping for any lengthy stretches at night, but she definitely has learned the difference between night and day.

Orelia loves to be held and carried, which is good, because we love doing it.  Now that she's approaching ten pounds, I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to enjoy cuddling with my girl while standing up.  I'm grateful for every ounce she puts on, though, so I welcome the challenge.  I can't wait to see what next months brings!

J + O

There's no one else Orelia would rather spend her time with than her daddy.

I'm fairly certain John is okay with this preference too.

Harper loves to be near "her" baby as well, so the three of them get some good cuddle time together on the couch.

Daddy's chest is the most soothing place for our girl when she gets upset.

Daddy's chest is also soothing when being walked around in the Ergo carrier.  (This is our most fool-proof method for calming her when she gets in a tizzy.)

See above re: said tizzy.

John makes sure to keep Orelia happy so I can sleep in or take naps, and the whole family wins.

Orelia and I are both lucky to have such a man in our lives.

Homemade

Isn't this the most adorable homemade outfit?

Oh, I'm sorry, did you think I had the time or ability to make this wonderful creation?

Of course not - it's a gift from my cousin's wife, Erin, who designed and sewed it just for our little girl.

Orelia looks pretty pleased with herself in Erin's creation, don't you think?  She's thinking "It's about time someone put me in something other than a onesie!"

O in the Hat

Orelia was pretty skeptical of this hat at first (and what a flattering photo of her hesitance).

But she began to warm up to it, especially if it meant she was going to be taken for a walk.

My mom wisely noted that Orelia basically looked like "John in a hat."

Exhibit A from our trip to Honduras in 2007.  I have since hidden this hat from him.

Hat modeling is exhausting.

The Little People

When you spend a lot of time around a newborn, you end up pretending you know what they are thinking.  They can't tell you you're wrong, so you never really know.  We call this pose, "Power to the little people."  She certainly does have a lot of power over us.