Melificent

Life with Luna: 8 Weeks

Week8

It’s incredible to me that I have a 2 month old baby! The days just meld into one another when you are at home with a newborn due to lack of sleep and the constant go-go-go, so it’s hard to keep track of time. I had to be reminded that Christmas is only a couple of weeks away. Where did 2015 go?

Anyways, Luna was quite a tough one for a couple of weeks, but has completely mellowed out once she hit the 8 week mark. She is sleeping almost as much as she did when she only a couple of weeks old, and often prefers to take those naps on me rather than in her rock ‘n play. This is totally cool with me – she is completely delicious and I’m slowly learning how to do most tasks with only one hand. She is also starting to respond more to social play – such as smiling and the beginning of giggles when I sing songs to her and giving me really big smiles when she sees me in the morning. It makes interacting with her even more fun.

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We are still homebound for a couple more weeks, and I cannot wait to start taking her out with us. I definitely have cabin fever and want to start adjusting her to our social life: Wynwood Sundays, brunch, and mini-adventures. It will be nice to wake up and be able to ask our usual weekend tag line again: What are we doing today?? Of course, her vaccinations mark the end of my maternity leave, so I am both wishing for time to speed up and slow down simultaneously. I can’t imagine not being with her every day, but thankfully, I still will be three times a week.

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Life with Luna: 6 Weeks

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Oh, this perfect little creature only gets better. Although we are struggling with constipation still and all the joys that come along with it (mainly hysterical screaming for hours), Luna is starting to become more aware of her surroundings. What does that mean? A whole lot of social smiling, silly expressions (I love her one eyebrow raise), and cooing. She’s awake a whole lot more during the day, which means I actually get to play with her instead of just stare at her sleeping. It’s pretty magical.

She still hates tummy time, but is ridiculously good at rolling over – as in, she does it over and over again anytime I put her in the activity gym. She’s now fitting into most 0-3M clothing, but her feet are so big, sometimes they don’t fit into the footsie pajamas (like father, like daughter). She is starting to snuggle after feedings, and whether it is involuntary or not, I love that she strokes my shoulder and back. It’s kind of the sweetest thing ever. 🙂

With the holidays upon us, I am so excited to start new traditions with Luna and incorporate her into old ones. Not being one for the holiday spirit, I’m thinking the tables may turn now that she is in the picture. What are your favorite holiday traditions with your fam?

ps; I realize this isn’t the cutest shot of the little moon, but I absolutely love it because she is making the same exact face I did in one of my own baby pictures! I gotta take what I can get since she looks just like her daddy! 😉

Life with Luna: 4 Weeks

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Well, the honeymoon period is definitely over.
Little Luna has us working around the clock, and the days are no longer being defined as “easy.” She has some pretty killer gas, which can leave her screaming in hysterics, and we just recently had to administer a suppository after a full 24 hours of no poopy diapers. I can’t tell you how much fun that was (spoiler alert: we cried more than she did). She isn’t eating quite as well as she was the first 2 weeks with us, so now we usually have to wake her up for feedings and kind of force her at times to complete 2oz. This seems to be the way it goes with IUGR babies, so it will be an uphill battle with her in regards to gaining weight. Speaking of weight, she is now at 7lbs, 5oz!!! She’s finally about the size of an average newborn & is starting to grow out of some sleepers & rompers, which is really exciting!

Unfortunately, it looks like she is starting to develop a flat head, so I have to be cognizant and carry her more often (as well as increase tummy time sessions). Luna isn’t at the weight necessary for baby-wearing (8lbs), so this is making it really hard to balance my day-to-day to-do list and baby (I’m typing this post one-handed). I’m sure this will be a lesson in prioritization . 😉

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Overall, I am so proud of our little nugget. She continues to surprise me every day (she has managed to turn over 6 times in a week during tummy time), and makes me want to be a better person. Sometimes it’s still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I am a mother, and I have a kid. When I really let that sink in, at times it can be a little nerve-wracking to be honest. But then I stare into her eyes and know we are going to be just fine.

Life with Luna: 2 Weeks

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It’s hard to believe that yet another week has gone by with our little Luna bug. She is quickly growing – now weighing in at 5lbs, 13 oz and measuring 19 inches. That’s nearly a pound heavier and 1 inch longer than at her last visit a week ago! She’s so incredible and proving that her IUGR diagnosis is not going to stand in the way. I always knew she was a little warrior since she was in my belly, and she has validated that every day since she has been with us.

Her little personality is starting to show with each day – she wants what she wants when she wants it and isn’t shy about vocalizing her anger when that doesn’t happen (especially with food). Tummy time is not her favorite activity, but she’s getting stronger and tolerating it much more – it’s just so hard to find time for it since Luna spends most of her day either eating or sleeping! She loves being held against my chest while in our nursery rocker and especially when the soundtrack is set to Borns‘ new album (Mommy absolutely loves it too).

I’m finally starting to sleep when she sleeps but not consistently. Now that the hubs is back at work (where did that paternity leave go?!), I take advantage of her nap times to get things done, but I know I’m eventually going to have to slow down and take naps right along with her. But despite the banging headaches, sleep deprivation and moments of pure anxiety (why is dressing a tiny little baby so difficult?!), I can honestly say that I have never felt so fulfilled in all my life. It’s like a hole was filled that I didn’t even know was there, and it’s absolutely beautiful.

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Do you want your own Luna Cat pillow (or any other fandom plushness for that matter)? Check out The Geeky Giraffe on Etsy and make sure to use my coupon code for 15% off: Meli15

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Life With Luna: 1 Week

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It’s pretty hard to wrap my head around the fact that it’s been a week since I gave birth to my little girl (at the time of this post). It seems like only yesterday that I was in that hospital bed wondering what you would look like and if you would be healthy and strong. You have defied all odds since. An amazing eater, a peaceful sleeper, an all around incredible baby. I find myself just staring at you as you sleep, and thinking how I could have possibly gotten so lucky to have such a magical little being in my life that I get to call my own.

Every day I worry: I put you in warm clothes, wrap you in 2 blankets, and always make sure you are wearing a hat to maintain your body temperature so that you don’t expend all your calories trying to keep warm. I can’t sleep when you sleep because I always have to have an eye on you (whether it be myself or Daddy). You smile from gas, but we like to think it is genuine. You love it when we laugh, hold you close and play you music.

I’d like to join the masses and say this transition has been super difficult and that we are in “baby boot camp,” but honestly, I thought it would be worse. I am happy to stay up and be sleep deprived if it means I get to look at your face. You have brought your Dad and I even closer after last year’s struggles. I value family more. All in all, you are the best thing I have ever done.

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Do you want your own Luna Cat pillow (or any other fandom plushness for that matter)? Check out The Geeky Giraffe on Etsy and make sure to use my coupon code for 15% off: Meli15

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