Month 1

Month 1 is almost a blur, but here are a few things that I remember. The day you came home was a beautiful, sunny, spring day. It was so nice out that weekend that after I took a much needed shower, Grandma, Daddy, and I took you out for your first walk. You slept through it- surprise.Grandma stayed with Mommy the first week while Daddy went back to work. She made us wonderful meals and came with us to your first doctor's visit and trip to the grocery store. Grandma always made sure I had snacks with me to give me some needed energy. My snack of choice was natural fruit leather from Trader Joes- yum.

It took us a few days to figure everything out- where/how you liked to sleep and eat. At first I put you in Mommy/Daddy's room, but I couldn't sleep very well. You kept making noises and I was worried about when you were going to wake up next. By day 2 I moved your little bed to the "red room" right outside of our bedroom. Then I was able to get some sleep and you didn't disturb Daddy when you woke up. I never really figured out nursing and sleeping at the same time. So the TV was my friend. I picked up a lot of new "favorite" shows at 1am and 4am.

By night 3, Mommy/Daddy remembered the things that The Happiest Baby on the Block book had taught us. The 5Ss- Ssh, Swaddle, Side, Swing, and Suck. It was the middle of night and you were crying. You weren't hungry, but seemed very upset. We swaddled you- check. Placed you on your side- check. We were swinging you using the "windshield wiper" technique- check. You hadn't learned to suck the pacifier yet- so no check. We were sshing- but you still wouldn't calm down. Then I remembered the Sshing has to be louder than you so your soothing reflex can turn on. We went in the bathroom and turned on the hairdryer. Within 30seconds, you had stopped crying and were asleep. Success! We did it! From that day on, we moved the hairdryer to the living room and turned it on during diaper changes, clothing changes, or anytime you were upset. It worked every time. Thanks 5Ss!

Over the weekend your Aunt Anna and Uncle Glenn came up to visit you for a day and then we met Gpa and MT at the Natchez Trace State Park for lunch. The second week your Aunt Robyn was generous enough to give up her Senior year Spring Break to come hang out with you. This week we had a little photo session for your birth announcement. Mommy chose this cute pink vintage dress with a couple daisies on it.The third week your Godmother, Aunt Lesley, took a whole week off of work to meet and spend time with you. We went to another doctor visit and a stressful cardiology appointment. You were so tired/screaming, and the nurse kept trying to take an ultrasound of your heart. The good news was that your heart was/is ok. Mommy had her birthday this week and daddy even surprised mommy with her favorite cake (funfetti) that he made at work! At the end of the week, Grandma and Grandpa came back to visit you and Aunt Lesley.

The fourth week MT came for part of the week to help out. By this point, I kind had you figured out and you were sleeping in longer stretches. This week we even all went out to dinner one night for Asian food. You slept the entire time, but we really enjoyed eating out.

That's it- month 1. As you can tell, we had a lot of great help. And by the end of the month, we were officially a family. Love you Maevster.