Day 17 - December 10

Dear Julie,

Today, your umbilical cord finally fell off, and you got to take your first bath! Your furry brother came to inspect your belly button once you woke up this morning, and was not impressed. Not too long after this photo, when we changed your diaper, the stump fell off! I'm sad to report that we did not keep the stump. Both daddy and I believed that you really wouldn't care if we kept the dried up piece of flesh, and also thought you'd think it was weird. So, when it finally fell off, we threw it away. Sorry. Haha!

 

We spent the day at the farm, and nana and Papa'll played with you, and sang to you, and rocked you all day! They are head over heels in love with you, and nana talks so much when you're around. She hasn't talked much lately, but the more time you spend together, the more she communicates with everyone.

Everyone finally went home today for a few days, and we were officially a family of three, with no extra help. Your umbilical cord fell off early in the morning, but we waited all day for bath time, so we could bathe you right before bedtime. Your first bath was on the counter, in the baby tub. I gave you a bath, while daddy took pictures, and Ani and Obi stood watch. You screamed through the entire bath, but it didn't last long, and made for some adorable photos! 

Daddy wrapped you up in a towel once you were clean, and after a good 10 minutes of screaming, you calmed down and we stated bedtime. We swaddles you, and read one of my facorite Christmas stories, "The Sweet Smell of Christmas." It's a scratch and sniff story, and the smells bring back memories of my own childhood. 

As you look back on your childhood, I hope you always know how loved you are by mommy and daddy. You are loved, you are loved, you are loved little one. And, after today, you may be traumatized by the bathtub, but I am so glad that we no longer have to give you sponge baths!  

Day 19 - December 12

Dear Julie,

Today was your first real day out in public. The dance studio performed, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and hosted a breakfast with Sants, and you were a trooper! You woke up and nursed, then got in the car and headed to the school. You were ready to eat as soon as we pulled in, and luckily, one of our dance parents arrived early in case we needed an extra set of hands. Mary Tabor gave you a bottle, played with you, and rocked you to sleep, while I ran around playing with music, getting kids hair fixed, and preparing for breakfast. 

Everything went smoothly for breakfast and the show. You napped through most of it, and enjoyed watching your surroundings when you were awake. We had around 100 people at breakfast, and 300 at the performance. Everyone fell in love with you as it was the first time they'd really seen you. 

Once we got everything cleaned up, we headed home. We put on our Christmas pajamas, and both of us napped on the couch. Daddy, nanny, and poppy napped too! We woke up for dinner, and everyone went back to bed after eating. It was a great day, and I was so proud of you for responding do well to such a drastic a change in your schedule. I took my favorite photo of you yet, and posted about how much I love all our dancers, but you are my one true love. 

I love you little girl, and today, we made it through your first performance. 

Day 102

Dear Julie,

Today, you visited the doctor for the first time for illness. You still don't have your voice back, and this morning you didn't want to nurse. Your second feeding of the day, you still refused to eat for more than a few minutes, so we headed to see Dr. Good. They did a full check-up, and said you have a virus, and it will pass in a few days. Since you aren't eating, we're supposed to give you some pedialyte in a bottle if you'll drink it, and we need to keep your humidifier running in your bedroom to help break up some mucous. Hopefully you'll be back to your normal, spunky self soon! Until then, the snot sucker is your best friend and worst enemy.