Month Two

With Grandpa Zane

With Nana Pitcher

Skylie,

It's been a big month for you! Here's some of the highlights.

• Everyone says what a gorgeous baby you are.
• You're sleeping pretty well through the night, but you still wake up between 5 and 6 a.m. A few days ago I accidentally fell asleep before giving you your last feeding around 11:30 p.m. Around 3:30 a.m. you moaned a few times in your sleep, but kept snoozing for another two hours. It was the longest you'd ever slept continuously--7 1/2 hours! Let's have more nights like that. Please. And if you could not wake up until 7:00 or 7:30 in the morning that would really help me out, okay?
• About a week and a half ago you started smiling! We love it. Your dad first got you to smile by rubbing your cheeks with a soft blanket, and since then you've given us some adorable grins. Your dad thinks you smile more at my voice than his, but I'm not sure about that.
• Your Zane grandparents think you look like your dad, but your Pitcher grandparents think you look more like me. I think you're cuter than either of us.
• On October 19 you were blessed by your dad. Both sets of grandparents and your Aunt Amber, Uncle Alec, and cousin Ethan came into town for it. One of our friends that helped with the blessing said he peeked at you during the prayer. Frank said that the moment your dad started talking, you got a big smile on your face.
• We went with your Pitcher Grandparents to visit some historic church sites while they were out here for your blessing. We ate at a great barbecue place in Kansas City, and as we were getting ready to leave, your Papa spilled a glass of ice water right in your face! You got drenched, girl! I felt bad for you, but it was so funny! You handled it well, and only whimpered a little.
• You've visited historic church sites in Independence, Missouri; Liberty, Missouri; Kansas City, Kansas; Carthage, Illinois; and Nauvoo, Illinois this month.
• I'm mildly obsessed with getting your picture taken. In your first 60 days of life you've had four photo sessions (three at JC Penny Portrait Studios and one with my friend who does photography).
• Last week was the first time I had to leave you for a whole day so I could go to work. I had no idea it would be so hard! Your dad ended up being home that day so I was just leaving you with him, but it still broke my heart. I cried most of the morning as I was getting ready, and when I said goodbye to you I sobbed. I had to fight back the tears a couple times at work, and when the clock finally hit 4:00 p.m. my bags were packed and I couldn't wait to have you in my arms again. It's gotten a bit easier for me, though. Yesterday I didn't cry at all when I left you with the babysitter.
• Your favorite place is in your swing. Your second favorite place is lying on the mat where we change your diaper. You can be howling like crazy, but you settle down as soon as we put you there. Not sure why that is...
• You're becoming more alert all the time. Whenever you wake up in your crib and start crying, you stop as soon as you see us come in. It's pretty cute!
• You now weigh 9 pounds 12 ounces (23rd percentile), and you're 22 inches long (34th percentile).

Every day I find myself gazing at you while you're sleeping. During these moments, I feel overwhelmed with love and gratitude that I get to be your mom. The other day your dad and I talked about how there's nothing that makes us happier than being a family. We love you more with each passing day.

Love,

Mom

Skylie's Two Month Stats

Height: 22 in.; 34th percentile

Weight: 9 lbs. 12 oz.; 23rd percentile

Head Circumference: 36 1/2 cm.; 6.25 percentile

Poor girl. She howled when the nurses gave her the shots. Her face turned bright red and she let out an agonizing cry. It made me want to cry, too. (There might have been one glistening tear in my eye, but I fought it back. Barely.)

Skylie's 2 Week Pictures

My friend, Liz, took these when Skylie was 15 days old. Thanks, Liz!

I'm Too Obsessed

But she's too cute. {Thanks for the cute clothes, Nikki and Laura. Love it all!}

Rambling Update

1. I have to say, having a baby is the most incredible experience, ever. There’s nothing like it. Everything relating to labor, delivery, and post-pregnancy adjustment seemed easier than I expected it to be. I’ve had my moments of crazy emotions (one—two—maybe three depending who you ask), but all in all it’s been great :). Having a baby really has changed our lives. I can still do most activities I did sans baby, but some of my favorite things—running or going to the gym—can’t happen unless someone else is watching the little one. Come spring a jogging stroller will be a must.
2. Within a week I found out a few of my best friends are pregnant. I came home and told Matt, “All my friends are pregnant. I want to be pregnant, too.” He justifiably reminded me, “Erin, you have a three week old.” Point noted.
3. I honestly thought I’d be bored having a baby. What was I thinking?
4. I’m a web developer for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and on Monday I start working again. I’ll work for two weeks entirely from home, and after that I’ll work from home half the time and be in the office half the time. (We’ll see if I can stand to be away from Skylie that much.) Knowing she’ll be in the capable hands of LeiLani and Kristelle is making it easier.
5. I start teaching turbo kick and spinning on Monday. The plan is to teach three times a week, but with working full time and taking care of a baby I may have to nix those from my schedule. It stinks because I love it, but I have a feeling that something’s gotta give—and I can fit in early morning workouts easier.
6. Matt and I ate lunch at Taste of India for my birthday. That night he surprised me with an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen and made me dinner. Mmm, yum. The best surprise is what he wrote for Skylie—but she won’t get to read it until she’s 12. How cute is that?
7. Our friend from our college singles ward, Ben Tanner, came through Des Moines and stayed with us last night. Thanks for coming to see us, Ben!
8. I want to get back into running some races. Anyone know of some good ones coming up?
9. I rented and am reading/listening to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years. They might become "must haves".
10. We're excited to see some of our family in a couple weeks for Skylie's baby blessing.

New Hobby

Dressing Skylie up and taking pictures. Here's some of my favorites.

Month One

Skylie,
I can’t believe you’re already a month old! The last five weeks have flown by and you’ve already grown and changed so much. Your dad and I waited a long time for you to join our family, and you are definitely worth the wait, Skylie. Every day we thank Heavenly Father that He’s entrusted us with you and pray that we’ll be the type of parents you deserve.

At one month:

You eat feverishly, about 4 oz. when we give you a bottle.

You rip not-so-ladylike noises in church. Thanks for only doing that when your dad is holding you.

You love being in and escaping from your swaddle.
You spit up a lot after feedings and are fussy until you get all your burps out.
You hate being put in your car seat, but once you’re in it you zonk out within minutes.
You’ve had some baby acne (it only makes you look cuter), but it’s getting better.

You like going to the bathroom at inopportune moments, and your dad’s usually the recipient of your perfect timing. (I don’t blame you, Skylie. You’re getting him back in advance for all the teasing and embarrassing he’s going to put you through later.)
You can now hold your head up for a few seconds.

You’re barely fitting into a few 0-3 month clothes. (At birth preemie clothes drenched you.)

You’ve been all over Des Moines: the mall, church, grocery stores, parks, movie theatres, drive-in movies, restaurants, apple orchards, a ward camp out, play group…

You like bath time.
You sleep pretty well at night (and during the day, too).
You’ve taken a pacifier well from day one.

You’ve been called all sorts of weird names: Squeakers, Squirt, Chicken Little, Monkey, Kiddo

During your first month:

While checking out how your thighs had gotten chubbier, your dad said to you, “You’re getting so big. Next thing you know you’ll be going to college.” Hearing that made me cry. Please don’t grow up too fast, Skylie.
At five days old your Grandma Shirley and I took you to the doctor to have your bilirubin levels checked. A lady at the hospital thought you were a baby doll.

Once when your dad was carrying you to your crib at night, you started crying. He said, “I know. It makes me sad, too.” He can’t get enough of you, and you’ve already got him wrapped around your pinkie.
Whenever I go out for the evening, your dad and I argue about who gets to take care of you. (We both want you with us.)

One afternoon a few weeks ago I left you with your dad while I worked out. On my way to the gym I was so ready for a little freedom to do my own thing, but within half an hour I was dying to be with you again.

Your dad usually gives you a bottle in the morning so I can go running. Sometimes he gets you dressed, too. One day was so cute. He tried three or four different bows on you until he found the perfect one.

At 8:39 a.m. on September 24 your dad and I sang “Happy Birthday” to you.

We love you, Skylie!

Love,
Mom