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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

ESP: 15 weeks

Oh, how I love my Charlotte Jane.  She is such a wonderful baby!  And it feels like we've kind of hit our stride these past few weeks. No major issues.  I guess the only issue is that I keep wondering if there is something wrong that both the doctor and I are missing.  After worrying about her for so many weeks - and through so many ultrasounds and non-stress tests - and having her induced early and born so tiny, I just can't shake this constant worry.  Not that she gives me reason to worry; she's really that good of a baby. ... I have absolutely no rational reason for this concern, but it's there swirling around the back of my mind.  During a recent visit, our doctor assured me that CJV is perfectly, wonderfully healthy, but she also helped me to understand this excessive worry is fairly common amongst moms of preemies.  Hoping that soon I can relax and leave this constant concern behind.


Weight: 9 pounds 5 ounces
Still riding the 3rd percentile trajectory, which is a good thing ... but she's such a little peanut!  Her hands and feet are so tiny compared to even younger babies we encounter.  Based on ootprints from the hospital, CJV's feet - at 3 months - are still smaller than NHV's at birth.

Eating:  Yep, she's still eating ... nothing but breastmilk ... about 6 or 7 times a day.  We've struggled some with a gassy tummy these past few weeks, but a little Mylicon seems to do the trick.  I've been trying to avoid trigger foods, but I am just not sure of the culprit.  She nurses best in the later in the day and during the night.  It seems like in the morning she just wants to smile and chat and play; she's too busy to eat a good meal until around 1:00.  Yesterday her feedings looked like this ... 10:00 pm, 4:00 am, 8:30 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:00 pm.

Sleeping:  I think I've got another good sleeper on my hands.  It seems CJV is following in her big sister's footsteps when it comes to liking her sleep!  In fact, several times she's slept until 6:00 am after going to bed at 10:00 - 8 long hours.  Of course, I was up every hour after 3:00 to check on her.  It's pretty typical now for her to go an average of 6 hours at night.  (If I could get off this darn computer and go to sleep at a decent hour, I could potentially be quite rested!)  Thankfully she also naps well and at about the same time as NHV, so I join her for naptime a few times each week. 

CJV gives clear signs when she is tired ... yawns, turns her head away, brings her hands together across her chest, and grunt-fusses if you don't get the message.  However, CJV does not fall asleep very easily.  She doesn't doze in her swing and fights sleep when in her car seat. Even when I hold her, she makes eye contact.  And I limit my singing because she just watches me and won't close her eyes.  Really, the best way to get her to fall asleep is to cover her eyes with a blanket and be quiet and still.  It's like she's afraid of missing something important, so I trick her into thinking there's nothing going on.

She doesn't need to be swaddled, but she does like to suck her binky as she's falling asleep.

My next big mission is to transition her from the bassinet in our bedroom to her own crib in the nursery.  I am sure she's ready for this change but I am not. I love having her near me.  Moving her out of my room means shes doesn't need me as much ... I have such mixed emotions about that :(

Personality: Charlotte is a happy, happy baby.  She is so smiley, and I've even gotten a few giggles out of her!  She is also very patient and rarely gets upset even when her feeding is delayed a few minutes.  Bathtime is a favorite time for us; she is so calm and relaxed ... and I just love seeing her naked ;)  She is  very vocal and has a range of adorable noises ... coos, aaaahs, ooohs, ... high and low pitches.  Sometimes it's hard to read a book to both girls because Charlotte "talks" loudly through the whole thing!    Her new favorite "game" is watching a helium balloon - that I tie to her ankle - bounce around.

Milestones of Note:
  • Finally got the cradle cap under control ... it was bad!
  • Handles tummy time for longer periods of time
  • Bats at the toys dangling from her activity mat
  • Tracks moving objects
  • Recognizes faces and voices ... mommy, daddy, and big sister always get a smile when we move into her field of view.

8 comments:

Shell said...

She's such a cutie pie! And lucky you, for having such a good sleeper!

Kirsten said...

Wow! A good sleeper, what is that? My first was great, my other 3 not so much!

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks said...

Oh my what a cutie pie :)

Evonne said...

What a cutie!

We had to do the same thing to get my son to take naps. He finally figured it out around 4 months. I'm glad she sleeps for you.

Bethany said...

I'm like you: I love seeing them all nakey in the tub. =) We had some yucky cradle cap, too. Thank goodness it cleared up before everyone got here for the baptism.

BJ_Mama said...

Seriously LOVE THOSE TINY BABES! Sam's still rocking the <5% region. SO, I know how you feel. Be happy that they are telling you everthing's good! We constantly heard, "There's got to be something wrong" and TESTS. TESTS. and more TESTS followed.
Trust me, you don't want that. But I understand your worry....give CJ a kiss for me ;)

Jessica {Team Rasler} said...

I can imagine that the worry inherent in becoming a mother (even the second time) much be exponentially greater when the baby is a preemie. I'm always relieved when I read or hear that CJV is healthy and happy after such a difficult beginning for all of you.

I like the helium balloon game. It makes me think that this time around will be even more fun than last time because my toddler will inspire games and activities that I didn't do with him when he was a newborn. Looking forward to that. : )

Oliver'sMom said...

The gummy smiles are the BEST!

PS-Camera strap and her book are FINALLY in the mail! You should have them tomorrow. Enjoy your belated baby gift! Carrie

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