Happy To be 1 month old!!

These are her statistics at 1 month old:
weight: 10 pounds, 6 ounces (75-90%)
height: 22.25 inches (75-90%)

Dr. Stephen was impressed that Miranda is already putting weight on her legs, is very alert, and smiling a lot. In the last month of getting to know her, we’ve learned that Miranda is easy to soothe, and easy to put to sleep (usually, unless she has gas or is overtired). She often smiles and laughs in her sleep, which melts our hearts.

The sleep formula swaddle, pacifer, bouncy seat, sleep sheep ocean sounds

Nursing is going well after a few weeks of pain. I was worried about getting thrush as I had with Natalie, but the pain is gone now, so I think my body was just getting adjusted. Nursing seems to be separate from sleeping for Miranda, which I’m happy about since it appears that I won’t be the only person with the ability to get her to sleep. Miranda likes to be rocked!! She takes a pacifier!! She has adorable hair:
Mom, please fix my hair!!! It sticks up in the back all on its own!

Miranda hates being strapped in the car seat and although she occasionally falls asleep in the car, she doesn’t stay asleep once the car stops. She doesn’t spit up (figures since I bought a ton of burp cloths, beyond the ones we received as gifts!). She is a champion pooper and often goes through a few outfits per day. Luckily, she likes taking a bath, although she hates being cold and often cries when we take her out. Overall, Miranda is fairly calm and laid back. We are enjoying her babyhood, because we know how fleeting it is!

Smiley

It’s been clear since Miranda was in the womb that our daughters have very different personalities, however. And it’s hard not to compare. At least once a day, I think “well, that’s different.” But I’ll refrain from comparing them to each other in writing.

Suffice to say that they absolutely love each other.

Big smiles for sisters!

Miranda isn’t so sure at first

Happier… ….with a warm wash cloth over her belly

I think she likes it!

Natalie helped wash her feet Miranda seemed to love having her hair washed.

Big rinse No tears at all!

So cold!! She definitely did not like coming out of the warm bath into the cold air.

Hello there! Miranda’s hair is curly when wet!

Happy to be warm and dressed!

* I say “official” because when Miranda was just 1 week old, she did have a poopsplosion to huge that it required being rinsed off. Wipes could not have handled that amount of poop. But for Miranda’s privacy’s sake, we didn’t take pictures of that. Aren’t you glad?

Big Sister Natalie

Natalie is proving to be an awesome big sister. Before Miranda was born, we had been worried about her regressing in any number of areas: sleep, potty, eating, etc. We worried about jealousy and Natalie acting out to get attention or out of confusion, frustration, and anger. We worried about her insisting on Mommy’s attention while I was nursing or otherwise attending to the baby. Our heads were filled with stories of older siblings trying to sell or throw out their new, unwelcome family members.

But like the strong, amazing girl she’s always been, Natalie has accepted the challenge of becoming a big sister with grace and enthusiasm. She has been willing to share her toys, loves to hug and kiss Miranda, and wants to be involved in taking care of her. In fact, the only times Natalie has gotten upset haven’t been when she’s not getting attention. Rather, she gets upset if we deny her access to her sister, i.e. “Miranda just fell asleep, so now isn’t a good time to hug her.”

What’s even more impressive to us is that Natalie seems to be embracing not only that she has a baby sister, but that she is, in fact, a big girl. Instead of regressing, she’s become even more independent in terms of the potty, eating, and playing. She’s been sleeping in her bed all night almost every night. Miranda is only 3 weeks old, and so far we’ve loved watching Natalie’s relationship with her sister develop, as well as see her growing maturity.

Rocking out Notice her pajama shirt says "I like to be LOUD!"

Grandpa and Miranda

Aunt Kary with her nieces
Jodi and Jason visit

Blizzard! The view from our hospital room the day after Miranda was born, 2/10/10.

So the three grandparents took turns watching Natalie and she had a sleep-over at Grandma’s house. Thursday morning Grandma walked Natalie to meet Pop Pop halfway between our houses as the cars were blanketed with snow and the roads weren’t clear yet. Grandma tells us that Natalie insisted on walking (as opposed to being carried) saying “but I have my snow boots on!” Grandma let her try and as she sunk in up to her waist, Natalie admitted, “this snow is too big for me!” Pop Pop had the unfortunate job of clearing the 14+ inches of snow that fell so we would be able to walk in the house.

Driving home 2/11/10

Meema and Pop Pop with their Granddaughters

Grandma love

We are so grateful for everyone’s hard work and willingness to give their time and energy to us, as always! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Big Yawn Photo by Meema

Sleeping Cutie

Big sister and little sister

Sisterly love

We have a couple of stories to share that illustrate how well Natalie is taking to the new member of our family. The first happened while she visited us at the hospital and Miranda started fussing. Natalie, who was across the room at the time, came running over saying, “I bet she needs her big sister!”

Today when we came home, Natalie was excited to hold Miranda right away. Then we were all upstairs getting Miranda changed when Natalie ran into her room and came running back with her once beloved lovie, mousie. Natalie, who hasn’t been as attached to Mousie since she was about 2½, very proudly gave it to Miranda to hold.

So excited to have baby sister home!
Miranda with Natalie’s mouse

Let’s hope this trend continues!

“OMG Where am I?” Moments after birth.

“OK, I Guess This Isn’t So Bad” Lots of blond, curly hair just like her big sister.

Miranda & Mom

Under the Bright Lights

Weighing In At 8lbs, 10oz

Miranda & Dad

“Hello Little Sister” Natalie meets Miranda for the first time.

Miranda, Natalie & Mom

Natalie, Meema, and Miranda Not so sure about this!

She’s So Tiny!

Love

Natalie, Grandma & Miranda

Kiss

Day Two Catching up on sleep.