Happy One Month Adelaide Penelope

Dear Adelaide,

Today marks one month since you joined our family. A month?!?!?! Holy moly. Yep, already a month. In the past month, you have gone from 8 lbs. 6 oz. to 9 lbs. 10 oz! You have learned to take a bottle like a champ, started staying awake more (but not much more--you LOVE to sleep! which your Mama and Daddy LOVE, too!), holding your head up, looking around with those big bright eyes, AND you have completely and utterly stolen our hearts.

For the most part, our first week with you was spent adjusting to being a family of three. Your daddy had the week off, so we spent a lot of time together. You and Daddy spent some quality time napping together.  We went for a short walk or two. We basked in the love of family and friends who brought us meals and visited with us. And you slept. Pretty much all the time.

At the end of the week, we decided that sharing a room with a newborn isn't all it's cracked up to be, so we tried you out in your own crib, and like the amazing baby you are, you took to it immediately. So, aside from naps, which you sometimes take on me, or in your Rock n' Play, the crib is where you sleep.

After Daddy went back to work, Grandma came to stay with us for the week. She got to share a room with you (and Fitz and Zima!) and gave Daddy the opportunity to sleep through the night for his first week back to work while she got up with me and you for late night feedings. Grandma enjoyed rocking, cuddling, and changing your poopy diapers (yes, I'm sure she enjoyed even diapers!) for the week, and we (I) enjoyed being spoiled while the house was cleaned, food was prepared, and I sat in my glider and rested. Grandma is great. :)

This week also included a date night for me and Daddy for his birthday. It was a convenient excuse to have a date night and get used to leaving you for several hours at a time while Grandma and Grandpa babysat. I had no idea how much I would miss you, just being gone for a few hours! I can't imagine leaving you for a whole day when I go back to work.

Once Grandma went home, you and I had to get used to being on our own during the days. We started going out more together, taking Fitz up to Tower Grove Park for a walk or running some quick errands. Just this week, we started meeting Daddy for lunch--it's a nice break in the day, and he loves to see his girls!

Last week, school started without me. There is no where I'd rather be than home with you right now, but it does feel strange to miss the beginning of the school year for the first time in 24 years.

And before I knew it, you were one month old! You don't look like the tiny newborn we brought home from the hospital one month ago. You are growing and changing every day, and you are so beautiful. You are a precious gift from God and we treasure you.

I love you, Laidey Bug!

-Mama