September 22, 2019: One Month
Paxton,
Happy one month, Buddy! You surprised all of us by showing up 10 days early and in record time. We’ve had the best month with you. We’ve traded sleep for snuggles and smackers. You’re usually not a fan of snoozing much at night and you’d much prefer to be held than put down in your bed. I have a feeling your sleep training will start much earlier than your sister’s did.
You have lots of smiles in your sleep and Ariana just adores you. She’s always bringing you to whatever room she’s in and I often don’t realize how good she is at taking care of you until she’s at school and I have to do it all on my own. She always burps you and puts your paci back in for you. When she holds you, she likes to be chest to chest with you so that she can nuzzle your face. You hate it and your crying doesn’t faze her at all.
You don’t have any hair at the front but have a funny little swirl right at the crown. It’s not as red as Ariana’s was at the same age. I love to watch you kick your legs and swing your arms around – mostly because it’s nice to see those movements and not feel them from the inside.
When you were just seconds old, you were laying on my chest grunting. It took the nurses a long time before you would let out a cry and I think they had to get a little rough to even make that one happen. Dad and I laugh about how that moment was a foreshadow of what was to come – you are the gruntiest baby ever. You grunt when you want something and only cry if your grunts don’t get you what you want. You grunt in your sleep. There have been many times in the middle of the night where your grunts have awakened me and I think you’re about ready for a feeding. I’ll look over at you and you’re sound asleep, still swaddled. You’re snuggled on my chest as I type this and grunting with every breath. I’m curious if this will mean that you have a lot to say?
We couldn’t mention your first month without chatting about the fact that you made your first road trip when you were 48 hours new. We loaded up the car for a day trip to High Point to celebrate Aunt Kenzie and Uncle Ryan’s wedding day. Ironically enough, Uncle Ryan predicted your arrival date weeks before you ever showed up.
Paxton, we’re so happy to have you here. We love you like crazy and can’t wait to watch you grow.
Love you so much,
Mama
October 22, 2019: Two Months
Paxton,
I just love having you with us! When I wrote your one-month letter, it felt like we were still getting to know you. Now, it feels like we’re in a routine.
As I glanced back at your first letter, I’m reminded that just a month ago you weren’t sleeping much at all. It’s hard to believe I had already forgotten that detail. It must have been right after you hit one month that we moved you into your room. I really didn’t have high expectations that kicking you out of our room would produce better sleep but I’m so glad it did. I was afraid I’d be walking down the hallways 5 or 6 times a night but you obviously needed some space from the ‘rents. Since you’ve been snoozing in your room, you usually only wake up once and sleep between 5 and 7 hours for your first stretch. (Occasionally you’ll throw 8 hours in.)
Speaking of snoozing, I’ve been laying you down in your bed for naps some and its bittersweet. Sweet because I can get things done and I know it’s good for your sleep habits but bitter because the moments where you fall asleep on my chest are my favorite thing in the whole world. I’m savoring each one of those times where I can feel your cheek against my skin and feel your body rise and fall with each breath.
You’ve started smiling at us! Dad got the first smiles but you’ve been giving them out since then. Ariana continues to be enamored with you and anytime you start fussing, she immediately starts singing to you. Her go-to is always Jesus Loves Me. I’m not sure that it really has any impact on your crying but it’s still sweet to hear her.
This month you’ve been to a Furman football game, your first boat ride, and lots of playdates at the park since the weather has finally started to cool off. You’ve been to Winston to see family and you probably have just as many miles on your bassinet because Ariana brings you into every room she’s in.
We recently introduced the bottle and you’re doing well with it. I don’t think you prefer it but you’re not refusing it either so we’re calling that a win.
One of my favorite things about your little personality is how you’re patient. At night when you wake up to eat, you grunt and only cry if I don’t respond to your grunts. There are many nights that I flip the hall light on and then have to fill up my water or do something that takes me a minute before getting to you. When I go in there, you’re always wide-eyed, just waiting on me. The grunts stop as soon as you see the hall light go on. The other time I really see your personality is when I try to burp you mid-feeding and if you don’t have a burp, you arch your back and wiggle your head until I continue feeding you.
You make our lives so much richer, Pax.
Love you so much,
Mama
November 22, 2019: Three Months
Paxton,
Your little personality is coming out more every day! You’re smiling all the time and attempting to laugh… which makes us laugh because it sounds more like a cough. This month you’ve really started to interact with Ari. She has overwhelmed you with love since day one and now your face lights up when you see her. She really enjoys telling me about what she did to make you smile. I’ve noticed that your coos have changed too. You’re babbling and getting our attention when you need it.
You’ve transitioned 100% to the crib and you’re crushing it. I was a little sad that Ariana wouldn’t be able to push your bassinet to me each morning, but now she just climbs in with you. When I first started laying you in your crib, you were breaking out of your burrito so we switched you to a baby straight-jacket. Then you rolled over in that so we switched to a transitional swaddle. Even with so many sleep changes in just a few weeks you’re still doing well. A few nights have been rough but most of the time you’re only waking once or twice.
We’ve now gotten into a nap routine when we’re home. If I can time it right, you take great naps. Sometimes preschool, dance class, and everything else gets in the way. I’m a big fan of babies who sleep in their beds but, you know, you could still snooze on my chest here and there. You certainly wouldn’t hear any complaints from me.
This month you dressed up as Flounder for Halloween, went to the mountains with the Palozzis and Robinsons, and celebrated Ariana turning 4. We’ve also taken advantage of some slow, snuggly mornings when we don’t have to get out the door. You spent 2 days with Nonny and Poppy while I worked a conference. Tomorrow you’ll go to your first basketball game: Bulls @ Hornets. (Also known as Coby vs. Marvin.)
One of your happiest places is on top of your changing table. You usually give lots of smiles and have lots to say. I love to watch your face light up and your legs kick when I come talk to you. Everyone says you’re twins with Dad. Coming up this month: your first Thanksgiving (twice!) and lots of Christmas activities. It’s so much fun to watch you grow and change each month.
I love you so much, Buddy
Mama
Need a walk down memory lane? Letters to Ariana: one month | two months | three months
