2 months old

I can't believe Helen is 2 months old already.

1.  Loves to lay down and look around at her surroundings.

2.  Wears 3 month clothing and fits in 6 month footie pajamas

3. Sleeps between 6 and 11 hours at a time at night.  Usually it is around 9 or 10.

4.  Bedtime around 9pm.

5.  Really likes bathtime.

6.  Sleeps in rock n play next to mom and dad's bed.

7. Continues to have a special hatred for tummy time.

8. Likes to play pat-a-cake with her feet, be read to, and stand up with assistance.

9. Smiles the most in the mornings and right after napping.

10. Likes to carry on conversations by cooing and making different facial expressions.

11.  Follows people with her eyes.

12. Looks bald, but actually has blonde hair that is about 1/4 inch long.

13. Drinks about 30oz of formula a day.

14.  Has discovered that she has a tongue and likes to stick it out.

15. On December 28, she weighed 11 pounds 11 ounces (75%) and was 24 1/4 inches (97%) Dr. Radke said she's going to be a tall skinny little girl.

Lady Long Legs

Helen really looks like she's going to be a tall little girl. She is already getting too tall for some of her 6 month sleepers.

A Doggy Christmas

Murphy has been feeling a little left out lately. I wanted to make sure that he feels like I still go out if my way to cause him to be embarrassed. Which photo do you like the best? Too bad it's too late to send out a Christmas card.

This needs to continue!

Helen slept for 11 hours again last night!  I am so excited :)

Sleeping beauty

Helen has been a great sleeper since birth, but has always woke up at least once during the night. Last night she went to bed at 8pm and slept for 11 hours. I hope thus continues. She really likes her rock n play and I think it contributes to her good sleep.

Too fast......

I know everyone always says, "they grow up before you know it." Today, I had to put away some of Helen's 3 month pj's because her legs are so long. Sad moment. Here she is in a 6 month sleeper.

Number 1 baby calming activity is..........

Bath time!!!!!! When Helen gets in her tub, she gets quiet and looks around. She especially likes to look at the picture above her tub.

Happy Saturday

Happy Saturday everyone!! We had the exciting day of cleaning and getting some groceries :)

1 month old on thanksgiving

I can't believe my baby is already 1 month old. Wow things have changed. Helen is so much more alert and changes daily.

1. Plays under hanging thing. Likes the cow and looks at it a lot.

2. Sleeps 5-7 hours at a time, during the night. Naps sporadically during the day. Prefers to nap in her swing. Sleeps in her rock and play during the night.

3. Wears 0-3 month clothing and some newborn onesies.

4. Recognizes mommy and daddy

5. Turns her head to sounds. Likes to stare at her glow worm.

6. Likes sitting in her pink bathtub, but hates getting out.

7. Likes to lay on changing table and stare up at family pictures.

8. Favorite time of day is the morning.

9. Is getting super close to smiling. I think it's going to happen soon.

10. Hates falling asleep and likes to fight it by screaming. This is effective in keeping not only Helen awake, but everyone in the house. Refer to number 2. Funny that she is such a great sleeper anyways.

11. Everyone says she looks just like daddy.

12. Likes to ride in her stroller, the car, and the shopping cart. She's an avid shopper and likes west acres in Fargo and target in Moorhead.

13. It's crazy how every day we love Helen more and more. It helps that she's the cutest and smartest baby in the world.

14. Murphy is her best friend.

15. Hates tummy time.

1st pics

Our good friend, Kerri, has started taking pictures for people.  We are lucky enough to have her as a next door neighbor and photographer.  She did a GREAT job taking Helen's 1 week pictures.  We really thought Helen would sleep through them, but she had other ideas. 

Helen Rose

It has been a little while since I posted.  If you read the last post, we were waiting for our little one to make her appearance.  She did, 1 day before her induction date.  She was born October 22.  8 pounds 1.8 ounces, 21 inches long.  We have already learned that she likes to do things her way.

The day we went home from the hospital

I have been a mommy for 16 days now and have learned a couple things.

1. The baby chooses everything.

2. A baby does not have a routine.  Every day is different.  They trick you into thinking you have things figured out and then the next day it all changes

3. Wow, you really do forget about yourself.  I'm sure Mike is tired of me walking around in my pj's, no make-up, icky hair.  I have been showering daily though :)

4. You need to just go with it.  So what if breastfeeding didn't go like I planned.  I have a happy, healthy baby, who is gaining weight and loves her formula. 

5. Gone are the days of getting to appointments and events on time. 

6. I haven't worked in over 2 weeks and I definitely do not miss it.  It's going to be hard to go back, but at least that isn't until the middle of January.

7.  I am lucky to have a husband who isn't afraid to jump in and help with anything and everything.  He has taken over the laundry duties and many other things.  It's hard to get to the basement and back after a c-section.

8. Don't be afraid to call the doctor.  I think I called my doctor and the lactation nurse at least a few times every week.  An infection was caught early and formula was supplemented right away.

9. Friends and family understand when I don't answer my phone every time they call.  They know I'm busy now.

10. Poop explosions are still funny.  How does all of that come out of a tiny baby? 

11. Formula, diapers, and wipes are EXPENSIVE!!! 

What an arrival!

She already has him wrapped around her little finger

15 days old

Grandma and Grandpa Martel

Great Grandma and Grandpa

Murphy watches over Helen

Uncle Jaden.  I think this was his first time holding a baby.

Jaden felt bad for Murphy, so he had to show him some love too.

Yawn!

Besties