Dear Katy,
You're two months old today, and we continue to be amazed at how much you've grown, learned, and changed since just one month ago!
Each day, we are overwhelmed by your cuteness, the brightness in your eyes when you smile, your curiosity, and your awareness of the world around you. I find myself saying over and over, "She's so sweet, I can't stand it!" But it turns out that I
can stand it, and I've loved the time that we've spent together. I'm already dreading returning to work and leaving you with someone else all day.
You have smiles for me when you wake up in the morning and from naps. And sometimes when you're eating, I'll look down to see that you've been staring at me with a huge grin on your face. It's the sweetest! I'll miss those smiles so much when I go back to work.
Sleeping: You are a sleeping champion! We are continually amazed (and are keeping our fingers crossed) because you sleep so well. This month, we started a bedtime routine with you. First we give you a bath around 7:30pm, and then I feed you, and then I put you down. You don't always fall asleep right away, but usually you're in your crib asleep by 9:30pm or so, give or take an hour. And then...here's the best part...you sleep until anywhere between 6:30am to 9:30am! In the beginning of this month, it was closer to 6:30am, and then I would feed you and you'd go back to sleep for a few hours. As you got closer to two months old, you started sleeping through that early morning feeding and often wake up between about 8am and 9am. Thank you, little girl! Mommy sure does appreciate all of the sleep she's able to get!
As for napping, you generally take a snooze sometime around 11am for about an hour (earlier and longer if you didn't sleep in as late that morning). And you still like to take a longer snooze in the mid-afternoon and usually wake up around dinnertime.
Eating: You are still exclusively breastfed, but not for lack of trying. You are not interested in drinking from bottles and have done so as sparingly as possible. We think that this might be our biggest challenge, as you will need to eat from a bottle soon once you start daycare. Our fingers are crossed that you'll grow more used to it over the next few weeks.
I've discovered that when I eat/drink dairy products, you seem to be much fussier/gassier/etc. So I've been drinking almond milk and trying to avoid dairy for now.
Stats: You had a pediatrician appointment when you were about 6 weeks old. You weighed in at exactly 12 pounds, and you grew to 22.5 inches long! You also got your first round of vaccine shots (I cried with you!). You're still wearing size 1 diapers, but once we use up our current stash, I think we're going to move to size 2. You seem to be growing so fast!
Clothes Size: You are too big now to wear most of the 0-3 months clothes, except for a few items here and there. For the most part, you're wearing 3-6 months...and even some of those are starting to seem a little small!
Milestones/Firsts: Several times this month you have slept through the night — but I mean SLEPT. THROUGH. THE. NIGHT!! We're talking 9pm to 9am! You can hold your head up now pretty much on your own — you get a little wobbly every now and then, but for the most part you have full control. It's so cute to see you have your head up while you peer around! You smile all the time at us, but now you also laugh! It's the cutest thing, because you scrunch your face up and you get this adorable double chin.
We put you in an Adidas track suit (your Daddy's outfit of choice!) for the first time, and you looked so adorable! You did your Daddy proud in it!
Likes/Dislikes: You still love bath time, and you've learned that you can splash the water when you kick your legs! I love the expression on your face every time you do a few kicks. You look so pleased with yourself! Even when you're super tired and fussy before bed, you always enjoy your bath.
You love to fall asleep on my lap once you're done eating, and I love snuggling with you — we've taken a few good naps together!
You love to smile and giggle at Dad and me...and we love making you smile more! You have the sweetest sounding coos, and we can't get enough of them. You smile at Dad as soon as he comes home from work — and you love the sound of his voice! He sings a lot of special songs to you, and you like to fall asleep dancing with him. You also love to laugh at the birdies that hang from your bouncy seat — it's so cute to hear you laughing at them! And you've enjoyed sleeping in a swing that cousins Kate and John lent us.
You still love to eat, but you continue to dislike bottles. We'll keep trying! You still don't like pacifiers either. You still get a little upset when you're in your carseat or stroller and standing still — you like to be a girl on the move! (You must have inherited this gene from your Grandma Lydia!)
Your Aunt Susan make you a lovely quilt, and I just loved your stern expression when your Dad put the quilt over you for a picture! You like to look at the colors and do your "tummy time" on the quilt.
Visitors/Introductions: Your Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Dave came from Kansas to meet you! You loved snuggling with Grandma Kathy, and she sang you songs and hosted several naps on her shoulder!
And here you are with both of your grandmas! I think you may have sensed it, but you were surrounded by so much love that day!
You also met the Hollanders this month, as well as the Mittermaier side of my family. They loved you! This was your first time meeting your cousin Joey, who is about a year and a half older than you. We can't wait for you two to play together!
You are such a special little person, and it's such a joy being your mom! It's amazing how much personality you have already. You are perfectly and uniquely you, and I hope you always hold on to that, my sweet girl!
