My sister Laurie, Adele’s loving Aunty, politely pointed out that she is now sporting daddy’s hairline…
I have to admit… it’s kinda true (sorry, darling, it’ll grow in soon, promise!!)
Sleep Schedules July 14, 2012
Even though Adele is only five weeks old, I’m trying to learn about her sleep patterns so that I can create some kind of schedule for her. I know newborns just sleep when they’re tired and eat when they’re hungry, but now that she is over a month old, I want to start a routine. 
Last week, I started marking down her sleep, awake time and feedings.
Anyone that knows me knows how much I LOOOOVE colored pens! 
Even though each day was different, I’m noticing a few patterns:
-Her longest stretch of sleep is overnight (anywhere from 4.5-7 hours!)
-She naps best in the morning. Afternoon naps are usually much shorter
-Her fussy time is from 8-11p (eat, sleep, cry, repeat!)
-She eats every three hours during the day
I really can’t complain since she is sleeping through the night, but I am having a hard time getting her to fall asleep. For every single nap or at bedtime, we have to swaddle her up tight, put on the white noise, sing to her, and carry her around our house as we bounce and rock her to sleep. At first it wasn’t so bad because it made us feel good that we were able to lull her to sleep with minimal crying… but now it’s gotten to the point where she can’t sleep unless we hold her! I’ve created a monster! 
Holding her for hours and hours each day like this is killing my arms and back! She’s over 9 pounds now! 
When we put her down, she screams! Even if she appears to be fast asleep! It’s a vicious cycle that I am desperate to break! So starting today, we’re all putting on our big-girl pants and nixing this bad habit! Today, for both of Adele’s naps, we held her for only a few seconds, kissed her cheeks, put on the white noise, stuck the pacifier in her mouth, and quietly left the room…. and SHE DID IT! She fell asleep on her own! Hallelujah!
I’m hoping things go equally as well at nighttime too. Cross your fingers!
As much as I love cradling the baby burrito and looking into those beautiful eyes as she drifts off into La La Land… I will be thankful to have my arms back! #NewMomLessons 
Any other tips for breaking the ‘rocking to sleep’ routine?
Happy Five Weeks! July 13, 2012
Happy Five Weeks old to Adele today! 
Perhaps this shirt is a wee bit big. HAHA
Mommy loves you so much! 
Adventures in the land of Bottles July 12, 2012
After four steady weeks of successful breastfeeding… this week we began to experiment with the bottle! I love feeding Adele, but eventually she’ll need to drink from a bottle so I can have an afternoon off, for daycare… or when Mommy just wants a glass of wine! This week, we dove in to test the waters milk. 
This was a big deal in the life of a 1-month old baby! She wasn’t quite sure what to think of it at first. We tried at first to have Irving feed her… but I think she was so confused that it upset her. So then I held her so she could smell me, and then we tricked her into drinking. Sneaky! 
It took a couple of tries, but I think she’s got the hang of things now. We’re doing 1-2 bottles a day so she gets used to it. She doesn’t love the bottle (it’s not as soft and warm as mom!) but she drinks it when she’s hungry enough. I’m excited for Irving to be able to experience this bond as well. I’m so proud of my little girl! 
My Jeans have Buttons! July 10, 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen: Today, I am wearing jeans… with a button!! Hooray for no more maternity pants!! (Although I will miss those stretchy pants. They were oh, so comfortable!)
So I did what anyone would do to celebrate: 
CAKE & SPRINKLES! I love Target.
Kelocity.com 