Our precious Brinlee has been in our life now for 4 1/2 months (this number has changed from 1 to 4 1/2 because that's how long I have attempted to get it posted :)). Her disposition is so sweet and sensitive, she smiles constantly, sleeps like a champ, eats like a champ, and loves to be held and cuddled. She cries when she is hungry, tired or gassy... but other than that smiles constantly and coo's all day long. She is incredibly sensitive which I attribute to being a girl. When the dog barks or when Paxtons yellling or even if she is startled, she will make the sweetest little pouty face and sometimes will cry but mostly just waivers between a pout and almost crying for a few minutes. It is the most precious thing.
She is so easy going which is probably in part to having to be and her over all laid back personality. It's amazing how their little personalities can be so apparent at such a young age. Pax was not so easy going and quick to vocalize everything :) I don't want to paint a perfect picture here - trust me, she has her moments still, but overall, she is a happy, happy girl.
She is smiling, laughing, cooing, "talking", rolling and doing all the developmental things she should be. Everything goes in her mouth and she is obsessed with her tongue. She'll copy or attempt to copy what we do with our mouth so if we blow bubbles she'll do it, or if we stick our tongue out she'll do it. Pretty darn cute. Right now she is in to standing. If we are sitting down she wants to be standing on our legs. She'll swing her little hips around and flap her arms excitedly. She'll arch her back until we stand her up, little stinker. Her whole body moves when she flashes a sweet gummy smile at just about anyone who talks to her. When her daddy talks to her - oh my. No one else in the world exists when he is talking or holding her. She focuses on him and does that sideways flirty smile... its as if I see his heart melting right before my eyes. Every once in a while he'll love on her too hard and his response - "I just can't help it".
She is nursing great and will take a bottle if need be. Nursing has been a roller coaster ride and I would encourage anyone within the first 3 months who wants to nurse but secretly wants to give up... stick with it. It is HARD - anyone who says its easy at first must have a special secret they aren't sharing. People don't talk about how hard it is and how sore you will be (initially). People want to talk about how "easy" it is and how convenient it is and while this is true, it takes a while to get there. My advice - talk with your support system ahead of time about what your goals are so they can support you without emotions in the way when the going gets tough. Also, use a lactation consultant or at least have someone you are comfortable talking with. Sometimes its just a matter of talking to someone about whats going on so they can reassure you its "normal" - doing this made me simmer down during the tough first few weeks knowing other women go through the same things. Lastly, don't beat yourself up if it doesn't go as you planned. Babies are complicated and nursing is complicated, getting everything to work perfectly is complicated. Give yourself grace and never feel like a failure - trying is advantageous enough. :) We have finally gotten to the point where nursing for both of us has become second nature. Nursing is and has been a group effort and I am so thankful to have a husband who encourages me, applauds me and continues to deal with me pumping in bed and while driving down the road (we can handle it a year right?).
From the moment we brought her home she was a great sleeper. I woke up in the middle of the night once or twice (mostly once)with her the first 7 weeks of her life - I actually asked her pediatrician if I could just let her sleep through the night instead of waking her to nurse and he confidently said "yes". So, at about 7 weeks she starting sleeping through the night. This has been glorious and I am so grateful. Naps are a different story - we're working on this :)
Brinlee is truly a little ray of sunshine. We're at the stage now where all we have to do is look at her or say one tiny thing to her and she smiles with the sweetest, sideways and most precious little dimple smile. I watch her growing and changing every day and I am amazed at how beautiful she is. I love her gentleness and how she melts in our arms. She much prefers to be carried and always within eyesight of her mommy or daddy.
You know... when I was pregnant with her, I always questioned how I would love her like I love Paxton. Its hard for any parent to put into words the depth and complexity of love you have for your child. How I would ever love another child the same way was overwhelming to me. But I quickly learned that my heart had more than enough room for her. There was no question. The love was instant, our bond now stronger than I could have imagined it would be and truthfully, my love for these two precious gifts has only gotten stronger and deeper as the time has passed. I am humbled that God chose Matthew and I to be their parents.
Month 1 in ergo vs month 4 - WOW
Brinlee vs Pax comparison at month 3 - do you think they are related?
Paxton LOVED this monkey when he was an infant - Brinlee loves it too! :)
Adorable little Brinlee! I love how sweet Pax is with her too :) I TOTALLY agree with you about nursing. Someone told me once that the first month is the hardest-- more like the first FOUR MONTHS. I finally feel like we're getting used to it and it's much easier than it was the first 4 months. Totally wasn't prepared for how hard it has been. Also, i'm crazy jealous that Brinlee is such a great sleeper. I need to send Sullie to your house for sleep camp ;) Loved your update!
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