Emery - 1 Month

A little update about Emery's first month of life-

one week old

one month old

 Emery has been such a joy and a wonderful baby.  I think Nick and I had really low expectations for parenthood.  We were expecting a baby that screamed and cried a lot and being so tired that we couldn't think straight- both of which very well could have happened.  But Emery has pleasantly surprised us.  She is laid back and easy going and has been a great eater and sleeper.  Pair that with lots of help from her Grammy and the rest of our family and we have had a very easy transition into being parents.  Plus, no one can possibly explain how much you are going to love your child and that makes every middle of the night feeding and poopy diaper a joy.  We have been trying to enjoy every little moment because the time is already flying!

Eating:  From the first time Emery nursed, she just got it.  All the nurses in the hospital couldn't believe what a good little eater she was.  I feel very blessed that this has been so easy.  She eats every 2-3 hours  (or more when she's going through a growth spurt) and will let you know when she is hungry!  There were times that first month when I thought she couldn't possibly be hungry because she had just had a great feeding, but turns out she was.  She got her first bottle around three weeks.  Nick gives her a bottle every night around 10:30 as a "dream feed."  She took it like a dream and never seemed to notice the difference.  This way I could go to bed and get a longer stretch of sleep.  Nick loves feeding her, so it works out well for all of us!

Sleeping:  Emery was very sleepy the first few weeks, which I think is pretty normal newborn behavior.  She slept most of the day and pretty well at night.  Since the very beginning she has been sleeping in her room.  The first couple weeks she slept in her bassinet but then transitioned to the crib no problem.  Nick and I would both go in multiple times a night to check on her.  She would wake up around 1:00 and then again around 4:00 or so to eat.  Sometimes she would want to stay up and party in the middle of the night.  Grammy stayed with us a lot those first few weeks and she was a lifesaver.  I would get up and feed Emery and then pass her off to Grammy and go back to bed. Grammy would change her and then put her back to sleep (or stay up if Emery wanted to party.)  That way we all got pretty good sleep.  

Nick was able to take off a little over a week to stay with us and then work shorter hours for a few weeks after that.  It was such a special time and I cried when he had to go back to work.

First Easter in her bunny gown- 3 weeks

Emery had lots of family and friends come visit her that first month.  Her aunt, uncle and four cousins even came all the way from London to see her!  Her big cousins were so sweet with her, wanting to hold her and share their toys with her.  I am so thankful she has them to grow up with!

Emery would get a sponge bath every night in the sink.  She started out hating it so much but after the first few times she grew to love it, especially having her hair washed.  

First bath at home

Some times when Grammy stayed with us I would wake up in the morning and Emery would have a new outfit or a hair bow in her hair.  Her and Grammy would play dress up while we were sleeping.  I called it her middle of the night makeovers :)

A preemie size outfit since all her newborn clothes were too big at first.

first hair bow 

We watched a lot of basketball those first few sleep deprived weeks- ACC and NCAA tournament time

Sleepy girl!

We had an unusually cold March this year.  Emery spent a lot of time in this sweet hat her Aunt Laurie knitted for her.

Emery saw the pediatrician at 5 days old, 2 weeks old and 1 month old all for well checks.  She gained her birthweight back very quickly and each time the doctor told us she was perfect!  Of course we agree :)  At one month she had to get the second hep b vaccination.  We both cried.  After a minute or two she was back to normal!  We are so thankful for a healthy baby.  

Growth-

1 month

Weight- 9 lbs 9 oz- 57th percentile

Height- 21 inches 39th percentile

size newborn clothes