3 Months Old

Wow!
Wow!
Wow!

Three exciting, sleepless, wonderful, fulfilling, rollercoaster months have passed and I can't believe it. Am I comfortable in my new skin yet? Well, yes and no. I am comfortable being a mother, perhaps in part to the wonderful example my mother set. Yes becase taking care of Lillian is 100% natural to me now and I love it. No because if I were to use 5 words to describe myself mother wouldnt immediately pop into my head as I am sure it will later. While I strive to be that 'perfect' mother I realize that being a good or great mom is a bit more realistic though the perfectionist side of me still hasnt caught on to that yet. I hope to embody the role of a mother while striving to not loose sight of 'Nicole', I am sure some of you mothers understand what I am referring to--boy what you can learn on Oprah! kidding - partially

I cannot believe how our little girl has grown and developed. She was swimming in newborn clothes when we brought her home and now some of the 0-3months are getting snug. It is as if I blinked my eyes and she was bigger. When we brought her home you had to keep your face close to her to be sure she could seee you properly and even then of course there was no reaction. Now she will swing her head to whatever part house she hears your voice coming from and smile and can see you from a good distance (if she isnt too busy checking out something else).

At three months old she is very alert and active and loves to talk. She is stronger than the average 3 month old according to everyone who has had kids befor eand the daycare ladies and since they have so many other specimens to compare with I believe them. She can use a bumbo seat and sit up and look around or sit in the excersaucer and marvel at the toys. She loves have Jared hold her near the fish tank so she can stare at the lights. Her favorite item is to lay in her cradle swing and look at the animal mobile and mirror. She has now perfected eating and doesnt have too much problems with gas. Our favorite thing is how happy she is. We just can't believe how lucky we got, she is very happy and content 95% of the time. Rarely is she crying and never unconsolable. SHe laughs if you play peek a boo and smiles at everyone willing to make a funny face. She is really getting to like bath time as well and kicks her feet alot.

I knew I wanted to be a mom and Jared wanted to be a Dad and we thought it woudl be great but it has definately surpassed our expectations. I never knew you could feel this much love and fulfillment from someone so small. I honestly never expected to like the baby stage as much as I do, I had always been a fan of 1-3 year olds so now I am just wondering can it really get any better? I love my life and my family and I thank God for keeping my health good enough to enjoy both.

above: 2 days old-see my skinny chin?

Above: Where'd my chin go? (2months1week)

1 month -in Daddy's hand 2months-how precious 3months-in her easter dress

Talker

Well it's official, she's a talker! Jared can't imagine where she gets it from --wink wink. Lillian was talking what we though was alot before but now she is really talking & YELLING! She will 'talk' so loud that we cant hear TV over her. Her daycare teachers will comment on it and on each day's report card they mark happy and talkative, some days they write VERY in front of talkative! They report that she is so good, such a happy baby, very observant and VERY talkative.

Daycare is going well, she is starting to take longer naps there which tell me she is adjusting well. When she is there she is very engaged and interested in everything.

We got her 2 month pictures back. I just love them. I may take them every month as with the coupons I have (they give you more every month) you can get 2 sheets of pictures for $8.50 plus a free 8x10. Not bad at all.

Two Months Old & Getting So Big!

Firsts

First Cold
Well Lillian caught her first cold on 3/2 her and I both were a bit stuffed up and a little cough. It was very mild as she only coughed a few times a day over the weekend and a bit of stuffy nose though nothing enough to suction. Thought it was small it was our first and Jared and I both had to take her temperature and fret over her. By monday she seemed back to normal.

First Daycare Experience
Well Aunt Amanda was feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to watch Lillian - rightfully so with her 24month old and 11 month old in addition to Lillian. So, we took her to a Christian Learning Center which is 1/2 mile from where we work they have great security, brand new facility so nice and clean, they have a good cleaning policy and they isolate the infants so as to reduce germs from the older kids (the infants have plenty on their own though), it is nice and cheery and the infant ladies are specifically for that room becuase they love infants. It was still hard to leave her though. Jared and I went together on the first day since there was so much paperwork and things to bring in. I was teary leaving her but it got better because I was able to access the website and log into the webcam to check in on her plus since it is so close to work I can visit her on both of my breaks and I have enough time to feed her at lunch. She is starting to adjust after first 2 days but it will take a week or so, I think it is harder on us than her! Benefit to her not sleeping well while there is she has been sleepign through the night, now only if that continues!

Daddy's First Daycare Visit
Evidentially, I am not the only one who likes to visit her at daycare. The 1st day I visited her on both my breaks and Jared razzed me a bit for it. Then the 2nd day the director accidentally mentioned Jared had been there and got 'shooshed' from all other ladies. He had been to visit and said not to tell me! He knew I woudl give him a hard time after the razzing he gave me but he siad it is not only me who finds it hard to leave her there!