Jackson {1 Month}

Dearest Jackson -- it's hard to believe that you're already one month old.  It seems like you were born just yesterday.  

When we found out that I was in labor with you, I remember wishing that I could have just a little more time to prepare for your arrival, but now, I'm just so glad that you're here and that we got to share an extra 3.5 weeks with you.  

Your dad and I absolutely love you to pieces and feel so lucky that God chose us to be your parents.  I honestly think you're the cutest baby that I've ever seen.  I realize that I may be biased because I'm your mom, but I really do think you're the cutest.  

Thankfully, you're a pretty good baby, too.  You really only cry if you have a dirty diaper, are hungry, need to burp, or are in need of your gas drops. We're so glad that you don't have colic -- especially since you were born so early.  

Thanks for making this first month of parenting so easy on us and for being so patient with us since we're learning as we go.  We love you so, so much!

Love,

Your Mom

{1 MONTH STATS}

Measurements:  11-ish pounds

Sizes:

• Clothes: 0-3 months {"newborn" up until 3.5 weeks}
• Diapers: size 1 {"newborn" up until 2.5 weeks}

Eating:  You really aren't on a schedule yet, but I try to nurse you every 3 hours during the day {9 am, 12 noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm}, and then you typically wake up around 1 am and then again at around 5 am.  I take the first nighttime feeding, and your dad gives you a bottle at the second one before heading into work.  We started giving you {at least} one bottle a day at 2 weeks, and from day one, you've taken the bottle like a champ.  You started out drinking 4 ounces of milk, but we quickly had to up it to 5 ounces.  You are definitely a big eater!

Sleeping:  You sleep a lot these days, but not nearly as much as you did the first couple of weeks.  We try to keep you up an hour or so after you eat, but sometimes that's hard to do because you just like sleeping so much!  At night, you sleep in the co-sleeper in our room.  After feeding you, we double swaddle you and turn on your sound machine.  Your favorite sound is the heartbeat, but your dad is hoping that we can wean you off that soon since he thinks it sounds like we're sleeping inside of a steel drum. ;)  

Likes:

• Riding around in your Ergo Baby Carrier
• Taking naps in both your swing and bouncer {but as soon as the music stops, you start to stir}
• Doing tummy time on your activity gym {but only for a few minutes because you prefer to be on your back staring up at the animals instead}
• Looking around and staring at things -- especially our ceiling fans and the pictures hanging behind our couch
• Sucking on your pacifier {as much as your mom didn't want to use one, it comes in pretty handy when you start getting fussy but it's not time to eat yet}

 Dislikes:

• Having your diaper {or clothes} changed -- especially when you're hungry!
• Being cold {you hated taking baths till we realized that we just needed to turn your bathroom into a sauna with the portable heater first}
• Having your faced wiped and nose cleaned in the morning