1 month

Dear Nora,

Today you are one month old, sweet girl. You were up quite a lot last night and it took a bit of effort to put you to sleep. Daddy must have sung "Amazing Grace" over and over again for about an hour trying to get you to go to sleep. 

When you're super tired, you just don't know how to console yourself. You cry and cry until we pick you up and then, almost immediately, you fall asleep on our shoulders. But, when we try to put you back down in your bed, you wake up again and start to cry. It seems you are onto our little trick. We hope that this nighttime fussiness doesn't last too long, or we might run out of songs to sing to you!

Nora 3 weeks

This first month has been one busy month. First, you were welcomed into the world by your mom and dad and your grandparents from Seattle, who took you on your first trip out to the beach. Then you spent some time at home eating like a champ, sleeping and getting your first bath (which you didn't like initially, but have warmed up to by now). Then, your grandma from California came and we all went out to the beach again (and this time you made it to the ocean to have a taste of sea water)! You were such a good girl during the car ride too, despite the awful New York traffic. 

 During your grandma's visit you ventured out into the city quite a bit in your stroller. Your first stroller ride was to the cupcake shop, "Two Little Red Hens," down the street. It was worth it for the red velvet cupcakes! You also went to visit a friend in the neighborhood and then to Central Park. 

Then, surprise surprise, you met a member of your extended family! Your grandma's cousin, Mommy's godmother, came to New York to surprise you and lend a hand with diaper changes! She encouraged us to get out and see this great city. So, with her help, we all went to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grand Central Station, Times Square and the West Village. You even went to Papaya King for some famous hot dogs, lucky girl! You rode the subway for the first time, ate in a couple of restaurants and even took the bus home. You definitely have had a busy month!

You are starting to coo more and you love to look at contrast, especially the deep red rug hanging on the stark white wall in the living room. You have developed a mean case of infant acne, which, we hope, will clear up soon. You still flash us occasional gassy smiles which are always exciting to see. You have really taken to breastfeeding and can latch on like a pro. You also have surprised us with your penchant for "blowouts" (read, bowel movements that "move" up and out of the diaper). In fact, today you had your biggest one yet, followed by an impressive spit-up that made it all the way down Mommy's back and onto the floor. At least you're getting plenty to eat!

You are, so far, a very good baby. You only cry when something is wrong or you are just too tired and don't know how to nod off to sleep. You are content to sit and watch the world from your bouncy seat, and you always know when it's time to eat. You have a funny habit of sleeping with your eyes open and your love to arch your back waaaayy back to stretch when you're waking up. Sometimes, you wake yourself up accidentally and get startled when your little arms fall to your sides while you're sleeping. You also get quite sneezy, like your mama. Sometimes four and five sneezes before you're through.

Your look has changed a lot in this first month. You went from being our little badger to our little bird, especially when you peck and peck at our necks when you're hungry. We will find out just how much you've grown when we visit the pediatrician this week, but you're still so small--just a wee bundle in our arms.

Nora 4 weeks

We love you Nora, and we wish you lots more eating, pooing, growing and peaceful sleep.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy