Norah Grows: 8 Weeks Old

Baby, you're already 8 weeks old, and even though I couldn't have imagined it on the day you were born, my love for you has multiplied way more than 8 times since that day! You are truly the love of our lives, and while we're probably a little biased, we think you are one pretty amazing child!

What can you do at 8 weeks old?  You can hold up your head and look around you, taking in the sights of this big old world.  You can "stand" on our laps and stretch your legs - you love to push and kick and you are getting so strong! You are "social smiling" for real now, and you flash those dimples at us several times a day.  In the past week, you have really taken an interest in looking at objects and toys, and we set up the play mat for you to lie on.  You LOVE it! See?

You also took a bottle from your Daddy for the first time yesterday, on Father's Day.  As much as I cherish our time together while you are nursing, I think it's special for Daddy to be able to be a part of feeding you, too.  You seemed so happy to be gazing at him and smiled all the way through the feeding! I think we are going to be lucky that you will take your milk any way you can get it, and going back to work will not be as tricky for me that way.  Of course it will still be very hard to do, but at least you won't likely be on a hunger strike every day while I'm away.  You and your Daddy already have a special bond, and I am so in love with both of you!

You are sleeping longer stretches at a time, both at night and during the day.  Night time is pretty predictable, and you usually go to bed around 11:00 PM and wake up to eat anywhere from 2:00-4:00 AM to eat and go back to sleep.  Then, up again about 7:00 AM to eat again, and back to sleep! You like to sleep in, and we usually get up for the day around 8:30.  Day time naps are still all over the place, but you usually sleep best and longest when I'm wearing you in the Moby wrap.  Sometimes you will sleep all by yourself in bed, but usually those naps are much shorter if we're not right there next to you.

You and Lainey are starting to develop a relationship, too.  She spends more time now sitting by your side, and you seem to be interested in looking at her when she is nearby.  I hope that you will love her the way that we do, and she will be a good companion to you as you grow up.  

Love you, baby girl.  Looking forward to the next 8 weeks, and the 8 weeks after that, and....