Happy ONE month Baby June! We are so very thankful that you are a part of our family...you definitely make us feel complete. This past month has had it's ups and downs, but we've survived! It's amazing how quickly you forget the difficulties of the newborn phase...I'm sure that is a sweet gift from the Lord so people will actually have more children! In spite of the sleep deprivation and trying to figure out our new life with two little ones, we are filled with great JOY over our June Marie. She is such a blessing!
We don't have much of a routine yet...I'm hoping that will develop over the next month or so. I follow the Baby Wise philosophy, so there is some predictability at this point, especially regarding feedings. June is eating 8 times per day. During the day, she is eating every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Her last scheduled feeding of the day is usually between 10-11pm. After that feeding, I let her wake up on her own. Typically, she'll go about 4 to 4 1/2 hours until the next feeding. So her middle of the night feeding usually occurs between 2-3am (brutal). And then she'll wake up about 3 hours later to eat again (between 5-6am). Back to sleep for another 2-3 hours and then she's up for her first official feeding of the day (between 7-8am). I'm hoping to establish a 7:30-8am wake up time. Lucy typically wakes up between 8-8:30am. So, I'd like to be able to get June up and fed before Lucy wakes up. We'll see if this happens, but it's a goal I'm aiming for once June's daily routine is established! Most of the time, she'll go right back to sleep during the middle of the night feedings, but we've had our nights when she's wide awake and looking to party! Not cool, June. :)
June is a great (and fast) eater when she's in the mood to eat! When she's sleepy, it can take a lot longer and it can be quite the battle to keep her awake. I am working so hard to keep her awake during and after feedings during the day...girlfriend is just still a little sleepyhead! She is usually most alert during the evening time...I have a feeling she'll be a night owl like her daddy! She takes a bottle like a champ, which I am so thankful for. Josh usually gives her a bottle during the late evening feeding (between 10-11pm) and sometimes I'll give her a bottle during the day if she is too sleepy to nurse well.
She is still sleeping in our room in the bassinet/pack-n-play, but we're planning on moving her into her own room in the next couple of days...we're waiting to get our second video camera working. During the first couple of weeks she preferred to sleep upright in her infant chair or swing, but now she will sleep laying flat in the pack-n-play. June likes to sleep swaddled, but with her hands free. She is quite the grunter, especially at night, so it's starting to drive us slightly crazy. It sounds like a mix between a gremlin and a 60 year old man....yes, funny at times, but also very annoying (especially at 3am)! I think all the grunting is due to gas. Poor girl works so hard to get toots and poops out. And her little stomach is hard as a rock after she eats. I feel so bad for her. We give her gas medicine after most feedings to help. Sister has some power in her poops....watch out, she'll spray you without warning. She can be a little squirmy when she is awake, again due to gas. She just can't get comfortable. Hopefully her little digestive track will figure itself out soon!
June has pretty much grown out of her newborn clothes, but 3 month clothes are a little big. She wore newborn diapers for the first 3 weeks until we ran out, so we switched to size 1. They are a little big, but work just fine. She loves bath time and has a love/hate relationship with the paci. Sometimes she can't get enough of it and sometimes it will make her gag. I'm determined she will like her paci!!
Even though it's been tough, the transition from one to two children has so far been easier than expected. Mainly due to how well Lucy has adjusted to having a baby sister around. Lucy LOVES Baby June! She really is doing so well as a big sister....far exceeding my expectations! This truly has been such a blessing. It makes my heart so happy to watch Lucy interact with June. I am so, so proud of her.
We love you so much June Marie...happy one month baby girl!
