1..2..3..Months Old!

The post is a little late, but I thought I'd note that Hazel just passed the 3 month mark (17th). Happy Birthday, Hazel Jane! Awhile back I thought it'd be great to take a picture in the same place each month on her "birthday" (not an original idea) to watch how she grows. I didn't see much with just 2 pictures, but now adding the third you can really see how she's getting bigger! The task is much more daunting than I thought it would be. It's pretty difficult to get her to sit up and sit still -- and even more difficult to snap a decent expression. There are lots of smiles to chose from, but my camera & I never seem to get it quite right. Oh well, the point is to watch the growth, we'll have other pictures to capture the beauty. Take a look ---

1 Month Old...

2 Months... and 3 Months!

I think I see it mostly in her chubby thighs, but also height & head -- she's just getting bigger all over! This is probably just as amazing as watching grass grow to most -- of course, all babies grow -- but it's amazing to me to watch my baby grow. Like she won an Oscar or something.

The third month has brought joy after joy. She laughs now. She loves watching me motorboat my lips -- finds it hilarious. And tries it herself sometimes, too, mostly resulting in spit bubbles. She woke up the other morning and I guess had discovered her tongue; she just wanted to move it around and in and out for a few days. She's over that now, thank goodness. She rolled over at 2 1/2 months, but we've already talked about that. She loves to play on her belly, and when she gets tired she turns to her back to play. Still loves to look in the mirror and at her mobile, and is getting used to some new "friends" she got for Christmas. (I call her toys "friends", it makes me feel less bad when I let her play with them and go do something else.) Two of her favorites are her play gym & her play tv. I also got her a Kickin' Coaster, and she loves it. I would very highly recommend that seat. She can push herself up and down, and it lights up when she kicks hard enough. Very good for muscle development, and way better than a seat you just passively sit in.

I'm a huge fan of her new schedule. I nurse her & tuck her in her crib around 9:30 or 10pm, and she sleeps until about 7:30am! Sometimes she cries when I put her down, but she is usually over it and konked out within 30 minutes. I like to think that the Bedtime With the Beatles music helps. She takes 1-2 naps during the day, but I haven't found much consistency with her naps yet. If she starts to get really cranky & red around the eyes, it's into the crib to cry to sleep, and she's been doing very well with that method.

I worked out for the first time the other day. My sister got me the Gold's Gym resistance workout kit for Christmas, and it is truly incredible. I don't think I'll ever go to a gym again! Hopefully I'll be back to my old weight soon -- only 7 pounds to go, but they are sure being stubborn. We also did Itsy Bitsy Yoga (for mother & baby) the other day. I almost couldn't finish the dvd because it was getting so cheesy, but every time I thought about stopping, Hazel would crack up like she was having so much fun, so I continued. I think we'll learn the routine & then do it without the sappy instructor.

Hazel & Tory have started to develop more of a relationship as well. It's neat to see her comforted by his deep loud voice & big hands; so different from my approach. It's so sweet to know she can appreciate a wide spectrum of affection.

She goes through several outfits a day now -- with all the drooling, spitting up, and major blow outs, it's just inevitable. I don't mind, really. She's got so many cute clothes and I love to see her in all of them. She grows out of things so fast right now, it's probably the only chance she has of getting to wear everything in her closet!

She is still nursing really well, and I am so thankful for the success we've had in that department. I LOVE nursing. It's such a bonding experience, and I love knowing that she is getting good nutrition. I'm also super glad I don't have to wash bottles & endure all the inconvenience that goes with formula. Our dishwasher still doesn't work. I hope to nurse at least until she is 6 months old, and maybe for a year if we can, but we'll see how it all works out.

Hazel is really such a joy. She is quick to smile and just makes the most beautiful sounds. I really love her disposition, and am thankful to have been blessed with such a breezy baby for my first. I know I'm completely biased, but I just think there is something really special about her -- a spark in her eyes that you don't see in every baby. Yes, I'm in love. Unabashedly in love.