Rachel's First Month!

Our sweet Rachel turned 1 month old yesterday! Sheesh, that was quick! Our stay in the hospital went very well followed by a wonderful first week at home being loved and well cared for by mom Mom and often my Dad as well. They made the transition to life with 4 kids so much smoother than it could have been and left my house spottless and our tummies full of delicious, wholesome food. It was true love in action and I was so grateful!

 

We are all in love with her and she receives lots of love and attention every day. Even Nathan, who initially didn't want much to do with Rachel, has warmed up to his baby sister. A few days ago she started crying and Nate ran away, found a paci and brought it to her saying "it's ok baby." It was the first time he showed her loving attention and I may have teared up, just a little. Levi and Joel both request to hold her multiple times a day. Levi seems to believe he is a second father and like to try to carry her around and hold her in ways only an adult should. Joel on the other hand is very gentle and sweet with her. I have caught him multiple times singing songs to her or stroking her hair. He also makes the sweetest comments about her clothes, how cute her features are and other observations about his beloved baby sister.

 

 

 

 

During this first month of life Rachel has been busy. Such is the life of a fourth child. She has had lots of visitors, made a few trips to the doctor (for herself and her brothers) gone to Sunday church, visited her brothers school several times, been baby sat and made multiple trips to the store. Fortunately, she is such a sweet easy going baby and she is happy to go with the flow as long as she is fed and near her momma. So far, Rachel is our best sleeper and has even slept a 5 hour stretch twice! An average night for her consists of going to bed around 10pm and sleeping 3-4 hours before waking up to eat and then going right back to sleep for 2 or 3 more hours eating again and sleeping another 2-3 hours. She also naps well throughout the day, although she hasn't started any kind of routine on when her longer naps happen.

New Skills:
holds head up well
makes eye contact and can track your face
grabs onto my shirt, hair or a toy (if you place it into her hand)
starting to give an occasional social smile
starting to make some happy sounds
takes a bottle well

New Stats (at 2 weeks):
Height- 22.5 inches (98%)
Weight- 8 pounds 3 ounces (50%)
Head Circumference- 36 centimeters (85%)

I can't believe how much Rachel has already grown and changed, and as much fun as it is to watch a baby develop into their own little self, it's a little bittersweet this time, knowing she will very most likely be our last baby. I'm trying to soak in every little coo, snuggle, crazy newborn expression and moments when she melts into me while sleeping. Right now, she loves me most of all and calms down almost immediately when I'm the one holding her. Makes a momma feel good :)