Makenna's World

I figured its about time for an update on our lil pumpkin. She is doing well, getting big so fast! She is looking more and more like me when I was a baby (but she is much cuter!).

The first four weeks
For the first month she was a major fusser. If she wasn't sleeping or eating...she wasn't happy. During our visits at the pediatrician they couldn't believe how fast she was growing. She came home from the hospital weight 8.9 and a week later she weighed a whole lb more. At the 3 week appointment she was another 2 lbs heavier so she was gaining about a 1 lb a week. The doctors said they usually like to see them grow an ounce a day, our princess was growing 2 ounces a day! Im curious to see what her weight is at the 2 month appointment in a few weeks!

Mommy hood took a bit getting use to and the first month wasn't so easy, especially since she was fussy. She threw us for a loop and started screaming and spitting up a lot during some feedings at about 4 weeks also. After a visit to the doctor, we thought it was acid reflux so she was put on medication. After a few weeks of meds things were still the same and I figured out she gets very gassy from the way she breathes while nursing and even the smallest bubble was bothering her. So I took her off the meds and it has gotten better with burping her multiple times during a feeding.

During the first month she was having a hard time falling asleep during the day and would scream from being over tired. We tried everything. She didn't like the swing at all, wouldn't lay down in her crib, I had doc orders (because of the c-section) that I could not to go for walks or drive for 6 weeks and it would take me forever to calm her down by holding her. It was a very frustrating and upsetting feeling of not being able to calm your own baby down. Sometimes we both rocked in the chair, crying. Of course she sleeps light like me so once she fell asleep I couldn't put her down without her waking up screaming again.

We did do some traveling with her in the first 4 weeks though. I had to, I was going stir crazy being in the house and it seemed she was too. She has always been an alert baby. Loves to look around, has held her head up since day 1. So I had a feeling she was just as bored in the house as I was. We took a few day trips to see family on the weekends and she fell in love with the sky. She would stare at it in amazement.

Into the second month
Six weeks seemed to be the point where things smoothed out some. She became less fussy as she learned to sleep during the day. We also started a bed time with her which is probably one of the best things we have done as parents. Her bedtime is 9:30 but more times than not she shows signs that she is ready for bed sooner. I really have to say we are blessed when it comes to bedtime sleep. We put her in her pjs, kiss her goodnight and lay her down in the pack and play in our room. After about 10 minutes of her talking and kicking around, shes out. This continues all night after feedings. We also learned in the 2nd month that she didn't like being held. Go figure. I think we had the only newborn in the world that didn't like being held- by anyone. The bouncer and her playmat were my saviors.

Around the time that she turned two months, she discovered her hands. She has always kept her hands in tight fists, since the day she was born. Once she realized she had control of those little fists, she would hold them up and stair at them in amazement, sometimes moving her hand with her wrist. We would joke because she totally looked like a stoner! Within a few days she realized she could concentrate and move those fists into her mouth- when she wanted to, not just by accident. Then began fist sucking. There never was a particular finger that ended up in her mouth, just any part of the fist. She had a new love.

Into the third month
As she gets older, it gets more exciting to watch her interact with things and learn. Last week (at 10 weeks) she started to grab the giraffe on her bouncer. The crazy mother I am was SO excited for her. I even called Mr.Jersey and told him to get home soon so he could see his little girl learning. He was equally excited.
Our little girl was growing up so fast! We had a doctors appointment the next day and learned she was growing faster than we thought. Our 10 week old was now 15lbs, 24 inches and already started to show signs of her teeth growing in. The doctor said usually their teeth start to grow in between 5-7 months, so it looked like she was gonna be early with the teeth. He also said that trying to grab for things was early. I personally think she is trying to catch up to her older cousins. She has always had this frustration about her that you could tell she just wanted to get up and go but couldnt. I think she is stubborn and determined to do what she can to catch up. Her younger cousin Lia was the same way, with 3 older boy cousins running around, she learned to move faster also. There is no denying that stubborness runs in both our families!

Our next big steps are the christening and her bedroom!

Im excited for the christening in the begining of October since my brother and cousin will be her godparents and we will be traveling up to my grandfather's in CT so he can christen her. We are also having her christened in the family gown which is really special to me since my grandmother made it and I also wore it.

We should be getting her bedroom started within the next week or so also. We picked up her crib at Target last week and Mr. Jersey is going to install build in shelves in the wall and also install new flooring. Then its paint and decorating!

Hopefully I will be able to keep up with the blog more often so I dont have these crazy long posts!