Hazel Louise :: one month

 & so it begins...time is now "flying" as they say.

Some days it really does feel like its been a full month & other days I think, "you were just born!" This month was full of family&friends meeting our sweet girl, yummy meals (friends brought us meals for 2 whole weeks! We've been so spoiled! I don't know if I'll remember how to cook now though...), & lots of emotions.

People ask, "How's it going?!" & to be completely honest I do think it's going well...Hazel is a pretty laid back gal, she eats like a champ, and for the most part sleeps at night--waking up every 2-3 hours (this week she's even had some 4 hour stretches!) for feedings.  We're definitely tired and still adjusting to life as parents...I've had my fair share of melt downs (whew, hormones!).

I want to take in & remember every little thing about this month...from Hazel's eye color changing to her big gummy smiles. I was looking over all the photos I've taken this month (SO many!) & it's hard to believe that just over a month ago this lil babe was in my belly!

Eating
Hazel eats like a champ! Most days she is really consistent with a schedule--every 2-3 hours. There's been a few days (maybe 3 or 4) where she'll eat every hour for a span of 4-5 hours. She's been growing a lot this month though so the doctor says those times are probably during a good growth spurt. Although she's a great eater I got mastitis when Hazel was 2 weeks old...I had no idea what this was until I had it! Super painful! ah! I got on some antibiotics and it cleared up in about 5 days (praise the Lord!).
I've pumped a few times, but we haven't given Hazel a bottle just yet. We probably will soon though.

Sleeping
Our little babe is a pretty great sleeper. The past few nights she's had some 4 hour stretches (I'm still learning this whole mom thing...I woke up in a panic the first time this happened thinking she was starving because it had been 4 hours! Matt calmed me down and reassured me she was just fine!) She's still sleeping in a bassinet in our room, but I'm thinking we'll start her in her crib next week (I think the distance from where the bassinet is now and where her crib is in her room is a whopping 10 feet...maybe? Ha! Gotta love NYC apartments!)

We haven't taken any subways or buses just yet--waiting until we get her first shots--so we've been taking cabs if we go anywhere outside of our neighborhood. Hazel loves the car rides and is usually asleep by the time we start driving. Matt and I have gotten pretty fast at getting the carseat buckled in and the stroller in the trunk!

Temperament

Oh man, Hazel is so fun and she doesn't even really do anything yet! She smiles at Matt at least once a day since last week. She loves to stare at his hair-line...we think it must be the contrasting colors of his dark hair and light skin. Her facial expressions crack us up and we love her cuddles. She's pretty quick to stop her fussiness if we can figure out what she needs...it's usually a quick diaper change or she's hungry. Overall, she's a pretty laid back newborn.

Physical 

9 lbs 9 oz

21. 5 inches long

grayish color eyes--they looked gray/blue for a while, but

now they're turning more gray/brown. 

dimples like her Momma, Uncle Patrick, & Gigi :)

lots&lots of dark hair!

Hazel gained almost 3 lbs in one month (She was 6 lbs 13 oz when she was born) & grew 2.5 inches!

Memorable

Oh goodness...so many things in this first month!

-Taking you home from the hospital

-All your firsts: meeting so many friends&family, smiling, holding onto our finger with your whole hand, first nap in your crib, first doctors visit, first girl-outing with mom to a coffee shop, first shopping trip

-One thing Matt & I will definitely remember is Hazel's projectile-poop...we didn't know that was possible! One of the funniest & grossest things we've ever experienced.

-Meeting Gigi & Uncle Patrick

-Meeting Grandma & PawPaw

                                   

 

You are such a joy, little one. You have made me cling to the Lord in ways I never have before...thank you. You've also caused me to lay down my pride (gulp...) and ask for help...from your dad and from friends...thank you. Its been a challenging, stretching, and beautiful month. I'm so thankful I get to be your momma. 

I love you, little Hazel Lou.

             

                       

Hazel Louise: 3 weeks old

my sweet Hazel,

Three whole weeks have gone by since you arrived in this crazy, beautiful, messy world we live in. These past three weeks have been quite an adventure! Giving labor to you was nothing like I planned (or imagined!)...there were more interventions than I wanted originally, but looking back at those 20 hours filled with the worst pain I've ever experienced along with making decisions with your dad about epidurals and other medical stuff during all that pain...I'd do it all over again because at the end of it all we got you!

You were so slimy and pink when you first came out. The first thing your dad said was, "She's beautiful!" My first words might have been, "She looks like an alien!"

My favorite memory of the day you were born was when your dad first held you. You were swaddled nice and tight and had one of those pink&blue hospital hats on (it kept falling off...but that might have been from all of your hair!). Behind your dad was a window looking out over New York City. It was just after 10pm so you could see all the lights of the city...it looked so big out there! And you looked so small in your father's arms. As I reached for my phone to take a picture I heard your dad sharing the gospel with you...before he told you anything else he told you about Jesus. I don't know if I'll ever be able to express the amount of love I felt for your dad, you, and our new little family in that moment. Our prayer is that you would know Jesus as the love of your life, your Lord & Savior.

These past few weeks have made me trust the Lord in ways I never have before. They've been both challenging and sweet. Each day the Holy Spirit has reminded me who really is in control. I've asked for strength daily...hourly...by the minute. The Holy Spirit has reminded me that God loves you more than I do. When I put you down to sleep at night and that knot forms in my chest because I don't want to go to sleep too (even if it isn't for very long, ha)...how will I watch you and make sure you're okay?! I'm reminded that the Lord doesn't sleep...I'm reminded of His power, His care, and His love for me and for you, sweet girl. Through the sleepless nights I've experience God's peace and comfort in ways I never have before.

Baby girl, it is such a privilege to be your momma. I cannot praise the Lord enough. You are such a gift to me and your dad! We love all the sweet&funny noises you make, we love the crazy amount of hair you have, we crack up when you bust your arms out of almost any swaddle just to have your hands by your face. We love all your facial expressions (especially when you flash your gummy smile!) and we love that you love to sleep!

I can't wait to see how you grow and develop into your personality. I know your dad can't wait to play with you and have you play back! You're a pretty laid back newborn...you're taking this whole life thing one day at a time. We're so proud of you.

Breastfeeding has been a sweet time for us--you eat like a champ! By your 2 week check up you had already gained 1 lb 6 oz and grew 2.5 inches! Get it girl! You're in the 50th percentile for your weight and somewhere in between the 75th and 90th for height.

I love to dress you up (you almost always have a headband on)! You're still wearing newborn size clothes and diapers--I thought you'd be out of them by now, but I know soon enough you'll be growing some more so I'm treasuring this time of you being so tiny!

You really do sleep, eat, and poop all day long...but I've been enjoying these days because I know they'll be gone all too soon. I can already tell that we're going to be best of friends, little one.

We're still figuring this whole parenting thing out & each day I'm walking in the grace that God offers.

I love you, Hazel Louise.

Love,

Mom