A letter
Posted on | March 12, 2012 | 5 Comments
Sweet sweet Hazel,
You are going to be 6 weeks old on Wednesday - I can hardly believe it! I feel like it was just yesterday that I pulled you into my arms, that amazing moment your daddy and I first laid eyes on you. But at the same time I feel as if you've been with us all along; I truly can't imagine life without you.
If I were to guess, I'd say you're close to 9 lbs or more. You're chunking up in the cutest of places - you're cheeks and belly, to name a couple. And you sure are getting tall! I've noticed that when we put you in the ergo or bjorn your head is way higher than it was just a week or two ago. You already aren't fitting in a majority of your newborn clothing!
You have been smiling more and more everyday. I first noticed little smiles when you were about 3.5 weeks old, and now they are more predicable & and we're learning what brings them on. A kiss on the belly, and wide smile or yawn by momma or daddy. There is nothing that brings me more joy than to see you smile.
One of your favorite things to do is look outside. The first thing you do in the morning is silently stare out our windows at the trees outside, smiling despite momma' changing your diaper. Today we went for a walk on the property and you looked so content watching the forest, wide eyed. Your other favorite things are: the beams on the ceiling (such contrast!), mom and dad's faces, and of course to look around while mom or dad walks around the downstairs (over and over again!).
You make the cutest 'o' with your mouth when you are trying to pee. Sometimes you put so much effort into trying to pee when your diaper is off, you grunt and groan until you're successful, it's quite the sight to see! You also are great at letting us know when you are wet or dirty.
You're sleeping 2-3 hour stretches at night, with very rare 4 hour stents. You sure don't like sleeping by yourself (even in the co-sleeper attachment to our bed!). You'll last about 10-15 minutes by yourself and then will cry for a warm body. During the day we get most of our chores done with you in the baby carrier, since you also refuse the downstairs bassinet. Tonight I had chili and a salad with you in your ergo, a cloth napkin over you and the carrier. You just love us that much, don't you? We love you, too!
You are breastfeeding like a champ. You nurse anywhere from 1-3 hours. Sometimes you're satisfied after 10 minutes, other times you want the boob for 45! I hope you start learning to pull off more often when you're done - sometimes you just keep sucking and cry/hit my chest as a way to tell me you're done. I just don't like seeing you cry, sweetie! This week I will start pumping and introducing you to a bottle once or a twice a week to make sure you will take it when I go back to work. I'm oddly sad about this; I love that I provide so much for you, our close connection at all times. But I want you to get all of my yummy milk when I'm working, so it must be done.
You have some days where you're fussy, others not so much. Most of the time you're calmed by continuous walking around by momma or daddy - swings don't work, you've made that clear. I know it's hard missing the womb sometimes, that's why you like warmth and movement. I'm thrilled to be here for you, even when we're downstairs at 4 am. Daddy's got some fun moves that instantly calm you - look up 'krumping,' it's a bit like that and very funny for mom to watch!
You had your first photo shoot at home two weeks ago (hence all of these wonderful photos!). The photographers are nurses like mom and dad, and they also had a baby girl at the birth center just ten months ago - you really seemed to be calmed by them. You are so photogenic and incredibly beautiful, my love.
Daddy is back at work, and now it's just us in the afternoons and evenings. You seem to spent much of our time together awake, and I've noticed you're beginning to 'coo' and learn you have a voice. We usually go outside once or twice to walk the dogs and check on the chickens/collect eggs. Most of my dinners involve holding or nursing you, and/or luke warm food, but that's okay my love. I haven't got the guts to venture to town with just the two of us yet - who's going to respond to your cries in the car seat? Momma' is silly, I know. Maybe tomorrow.
This has been the most amazing time of our lives, Hazy. Everyday I am overwhelmed by the amount of gratitude I have that you're finally in our lives. You are worth every tear and every failure in our years of trying - we were simply waiting for you, love. I can't wait for the rest of our lives together.
Millions of kisses and hugs,
Momma' and Daddy
Comments
- April
- I am a RN & natural momma in the Pacific Northwest, married to a beautiful man I adore. Nature is my niche, animals get me. I read and I write, I hike and I love photography. Welcomed our daughter Hazel Annan earthside in February 2012 after three years of infertility & our second miracle daughter Juniper Louise in April 2014.
March 12, 2012 at 7:57 AM
So beautiful. It makes me (sort of!) miss the non-stop nursing. They are so sweet when they are brand new. :)
March 12, 2012 at 11:04 AM
April,
Brought me tears!!
Your words were so touching. Hazel will love reading this someday. The pictures are all so beautiful.
It's so heart-bursting when our babies start smiling.
I loved hearing about Hazel loving the forest. Bracken's favorite place is outside, especially in the woods. I think they will be little forest friends. :)
I remember the 2-3 hour stretches. That can be quite challenging, but longer sleep will come and those times with less sleep will fade into memory.
I tried laying Bracken down to sleep a few times, when he was newborn, but he always cried for me. So he nursed and slept on me. I relied on the ergo a lot. He was always against my body. We've been co-sleeping since his birth (he liked being near a warm body too.)
Bracken was quite the long nurser also.
When Bracken sees pictures of baby Hazel on the screen, he starts pointing and talking. I tell him she is "Baby Hazel" and he says baba and makes an H sound.
I know just what you mean about venturing to town.
Lots of love to your sweet family,
Taryn
March 12, 2012 at 11:40 AM
What a beautiful post, it made me cry tears of joy for you.
So happy you are a Mama!
Babe and I are just getting to know each other over here and snuggling in bed as i recover. But I can relate to a lot of what you talk about, i have a little boob lover too and i havent had anything hot to eat since she was born...lol
ahh, but so worth it...
blessings to your family.
p.s. yes i think our babes look very similar..little dark beauties.
March 12, 2012 at 12:03 PM
April, this is so sweet.....I love it. Gorgeous photos.xxx
March 13, 2012 at 2:45 PM
:) nursing=love