One Month Old

I can hardly believe that it has already been a month since my precious girl made her appearance in our lives.  It has flown by like a whirlwind and even though I am trying to treasure every second, it seems like they just keep slipping through my fingers like sand.  She is such a joy to us and this momma's heart feels like it's going to explode with the love I feel for her.  How can you love someone so much?  I didn't know my heart had any more room and yet she has made a space all for herself in there, never to be moved.  I have decided to follow suit with what I have seen some others do for their kids and I am going to write her a letter on the blog at each of her month milestones.  I am also writing in her baby book, which I am determined will be filled completely for her, but I feel like this is a bigger space to write out my thoughts, and you all might want to read it.  If not, then you'll just have to skip these posts. :)

1 month old with mommy's teddy bear from when she was a baby

Alythia,                                                                                                                                     7.11.13

My dear sweet child.  You have brought so much joy into mommy and daddy's life.  We are so blessed to have you as our daughter and can hardly remember what life was like before you were here.  There is evidence of you everywhere and we are overjoyed to be your parents.  You are so much fun!  Today your are one month old, I can hardly believe it.  Per mommy's measurements, you weigh 9lbs 6oz and are 21 inches long today.  You don't go for your 1 month dr. visit until next Thursday.  At one month you are on a pretty good sleep>eat>play cycle, though mommy can't take much credit for that as you did this virtually on your own while still in the hospital.  It does require a little monitoring and structure to keep it consistent but you are a champ.  You are eating so good and have gained almost three pounds! You are still able to wear your newborn clothes and diapers which makes me happy because I am able to get some good use out of them and won't have to waste any of the diapers I have already bought, so far I'm right on track with those.  You continue to get stronger and have been holding your head up on your own since about week 1, you are able to sit in your Bumbo without falling over but are still working on sitting on the couch without any issues (no worries, you have plenty of time).  About 2 weeks ago you started making crawling motions during your tummy time and really get frustrated with yourself when you can't manage to move anywhere with all the effort you are putting in.  Slow down!  You seriously do not need to graduate every level before your 6 months old. :)  You have all of these cute little faces that make mommy and daddy laugh!  You were born with a little faux-hawk and rat-tail and it continues to get more pronounced.  It's adorable.  You constantly make noise when you are awake and sometimes when you are sleeping, most of the time it's a squeak of some sort, you have so many different squeaks!  They constantly keep us entertained.  I never knew babies could be so noisy! You have always been so alert and inquisitive, you make and hold great eye contact and seem to be processing absolutely everything around you.  You love to be outside; going on walks, swimming in the pool, napping in the lounge chair (in the shade).  You have gone swimming 3 times now, once at play group with your fellow birthing class babies and twice with your friend EV and mommy's friend Bethany at their pool.  I am very much looking forward to getting into our new place so we can go to the pool more often and swim.  You are very relaxed and comfortable in the water and only have had a few issues, mostly because the water is still on the chilly side.  You celebrated your first Father's Day and your daddy was so proud that he got to celebrate being a daddy because of you.  You wore a pretty pink dress that Miss Jody gave you and you looked so beautiful.  You were able to spend your first 10 days of life with your grandma Mahan and your aunt Alice as they came to help momma and daddy take care of things around the house and help make meals so that we could focus on you.  It was so nice having them here with us and you really loved spending time with them.  We celebrated our first 4th of July as a family as well.  It was a really rainy and ugly day so we decided to take a drive down to Mammoth Cave and do a little hiking/spelunking.  You got to go on your first cave tour and the guide was so impressed with you that he made you an official "Junior Ranger" of the National Park.  Sadly, you had no idea any of this happened as you were so very content in the Baby Katan and slept the whole time.  We will definitely go back though as mommy and daddy really liked it.  You have spent your first month in our apartment because we have not yet been able to move.  We found a nice condo that we will be moving into in the next couple of weeks and you will have your own room and bathroom there!  Mommy is so excited to put your nursery together and get it all decorated.  I really hope that it will turn out like I have envisioned it.  You will be taking your first little road trip in a couple of weeks up to Michigan where mommy and daddy's families are.  You are going to get to meet your grandpa Stoming, your great-grandma and grandpa Stoming, so great aunts and cousins on daddy's side and lots of mommy's family (there are too many to write out who they all are) as well as some of mommy's oldest friends.  Everyone is so excited to meet you!  When we come home you will finally get to meet your grandma and grandpa Ozburn and your aunts.  So many people are anxious to meet you and tell you how much they love you.  You are so loved and treasured little one and we pray every day that you will continue to grow and that you will one day soon come to know Jesus and how much He loves you too.  
                                                                                     
                                                                                     Love always,
                                                                                                 Mommy

A few more of my favorites from this month

Chilling with daddy

July 4th looking patriotic

Momma's favorite face you make

snuggles

So precious!

I guess that's enough for now.

~Becky