The Baby Is One Month

Camille, oh, Camille. How you have changed our lives for the better in one short month!

Bringing you home was one of the happiest days of my life. Although it was scary to leave the hospital, knowing that caring and knowledgeable nurses were just a quick button push away, we were excited to get you to your new home.

We spent the next few days just gazing at you and trying to learn each others' schedules.

You were home on Friday and had some of your very first visitors on Saturday evening. You wooed them all.

On Sunday, your Binkie (my mom) came into town and helped us tremendously. And basically, she never had you out of her arms. Who could put you down with that delicious smooshy face of yours?

The Monday after you came home, you had your first pediatrician's visit at five days old. You nearly gained back all of the weight you lost in the hospital, my good little eater!

The pediatrician gave us the go-ahead to start tummy time with you. Sometimes you love it, sometimes you cry. Mama to the rescue.

My dad, your grandfather, was passing through town one afternoon and just had to come by and see your sweet face again.

We delighted as it looked like you were starting to discover your own fingers for self-soothing, but that was pretty short-lived. 

We planned to introduce a pacifier to you no earlier than 4 weeks, but ended up giving it to you at 2.5 weeks. No regrets -- you love it and it keeps you very, very happy. You don't use it often, mainly just during naps to help you fall asleep.

Your first public outing was to Target and you screamed through most of it (as well as your second visit there, too).

You also had your first visit of many to the lakehouse, where you met your Uncle T for the very first time. Auntie Yaya, who was at the hospital for your birth, continued to fall in love with you.

(PS, you love ceiling fans.)

You experienced your first Memorial Day on May 26th, and Mama and Daddy celebrated their three year wedding anniversary on May 28th.

You also had your very first bath, and Mama and Daddy realized how much you don't like being cold. Baths have gotten a lot easier as we have realized how to keep you pleased as peas.

Your facial expressions are getting cuter and cuter by the day. Around three weeks you started smiling a little bit, although the smiles came at unpredictable times. As you grew closer to four weeks, they started coming a little more often and seemed more genuine.

Your surprised face is the BEST.

You also experienced your very first trip to the mountains. The family house in Boone is where we got engaged, so it was wonderful having you there with us. (This is the Moby wrap, and you love it ... it puts you right to sleep!)

People always comment about how alert and bright-eyed you are. You have these delicious, large blue eyes and I am wondering if they will stay blue like your Daddy's eyes.

According to most, you have your Daddy's nose for sure, maybe his eyes, maybe Mama's eyes. Mama's coloring, no doubt about it. Mama's long fingers.

Speaking of Daddy, he gave you your very first bottle of Mama's milk the day you turned four weeks old. You took it like a champ and continue to nurse without any issues at all. You take about 3-4 ounces of milk from a bottle when you have one, although I nurse you the vast majority of the time.

(Daddy's embarrassed that he was wearing this old, worn-out jersey from college ultimate frisbee tournaments for this photo on Mama's blog.)

Giving you a bottle allowed Mama to have her first girls' night out the day you turned one month old. Although I could stare in your eyes all day long, it was nice to get out for a little while with my best girlfriends.

During this month, you have moved from newborn diapers to size one diapers. They look big on your booty, but blowouts happen a lot less often (sorry if that embarrasses you, honey). You still fit into some of your newborn clothes, but not all of them. One of the most frustrating moments for me is getting you into and out of clothes that aren't easily fastened with zippers, buttons or snaps. I've had some #momfail moments when I've felt like I've gotten you stuck in a piece of clothing. I hate it more than you!

Your face is changing shape and getting longer (and can I say -- more and more beautiful each day). You can easily track my face or a toy when I move from one side to the other in front of you.

Baby gear ... you love your swing like crazy. You also like your rock and play, especially for naps. The bouncy seat helps Mama out when she needs to shower but wants to keep an eye on you. I also have your hooded towel on the bouncy seat so that when you are done with your bath, you can go right to the comfort of the towel and get wrapped up easily.

You slept in the bassinet on my side of the bed until you were exactly one month old. On June 14th, you transitioned to the crib in your nursery. You did so well, and I thank my girlfriends who recommended starting slowly with some daytime naps in the crib.

Sweet Camille, you are also known as Millie, Millie-girl, The Millster, Little Pea, Pea, Peapod, The Peepster, and The Littlest.

You have our heart and we can't wait to see what month two brings us.

Love you, dear baby.