Reading rainbow

Middle sister reading to little sister =  melt my heart! 

(We love this Me Reader set that was a gift!)

Letter to Madeline: month two

Dear Madeline, 

Two months! Time is flying and there are no shortage of changes in your little personality and big body! 

When I wrote your first letter I wasn’t sure that we’d ever have an evening where it took less than a couple of painful hours to get you settled down, but this month found you a little more settled and I *think* I’ve got a few of your nuances and cues figured out. A few days into the month we decided to try gripe water and/or gas drops during your evening fussy time and although it wasn’t a cure-all, it seemed to help you calm a bit and potentially take care of whatever may be been keeping you from winding down. Being a baby is hard, and being a baby’s parent is even harder; there’s only one frustrating way to communicate - crying - often times on both sides. We have a better routine at bedtime and I’m starting to see a daytime nap pattern, and we’re getting there. 

You’re growing by leaps and bounds and are almost twelve pounds! You have the cutest little neck rolls, the roundest belly, and amazing leg rolls. I’ve had to remind myself to ensure your rolls are clean and powdered every few days because I’m not used to this much adorable chub on a baby and I may have learned the hard way (remind me to tell you about the day we nicknamed you stinky neck … but we love you!). Your newborn clothing was packed up and shipped to your future cousin over a week ago and you’re busting out of most of your 0-3 month outfits and I’ve got the 3-6 month ready to be washed up. 

You’re a master nurser, obviously getting plenty to eat. With that come BIG burps, toots, and poops; man do you go through diapers. Many times I’ll hear you squirt or toot and look over to see you just as surprised as me, it’s pretty hilarious. If you do seem to know what’s going on (you’ve been working something out) you tend to go all “did I do that?” afterward and its still adorable. Wells, as adorable as knowing you are getting ready to change a poopy diaper can be : ) 

Speaking of diapers, you’re turning into a little money-maker for us as a Pampers diaper study participant, kicking off tomorrow. I happened to register you during a middle of the night feeding and because you’re such a good grower and close to being in size 2 diapers, you qualified. The process seems pretty straightforward and won’t take too much of our time for the month of free Pampers diapers and $130. Of course I’ll be taking my manager Mom cut before putting the rest in your college savings account : ) 

You’re more alert and observant with your old age and will follow a voice around the room (specifically mine), love to see what is going on around you, and will kick with glee on your activity mat with your jungle buddies. Your big sister continue to adore you and watch over you like a hawk and ensure you have plenty of interaction when I may need to step away. You usually go with me to pick them up from school and everyone at Goddard loves to peek in your carrier, tickle your toes, or pat you on the head, and your sisters are more than willing to show you off. 

I won’t lie and say that having a baby is easy, you’ve thrown us for a few loops, but I wouldn’t trade the last two months for anything. You continue to be the little light in our lives and it’s hard be believe we ever wondered if our family could handle a third child; because the answer is that not only could we handle you, we needed your blessing in our lives! Thank you for slowing me down, for making me realize that we can get along just fine without some of the items crossed off on the to-do list, and for bringing our family even closer together. You are truly the sunshine for all of us and always will be, our little Madeline Claire.  

Love, 

Mom

Letter to Madeline: Month one

Dear Madeline, 

Wow, you’re a month old! They say time flies when you’re having fun and I’d echo that, but also add a little blurb about being a Mom to three girls, one of which is a newborn. As I sit here to write your letter, I can hardly believe life without you. It seems you’ve always been a part of our family, and made a fairly miserable pregnancy a very distant memory. 

You came into this world on you due date, but not by choice, you were a scheduled induction. Because of some high risk pregnancy issues they didn’t want you to cook much longer and you were showing few signs of coming on your own. To your credit, you did let me enjoy my two weeks of pre-maternity leave and were respectful of my wishes to see your biggest sister, Anna, off to her first day of Kindergarten. And after labors lasting 19 and 30 hours with your sisters, I almost felt like your 5 hours went by so quickly that I blinked and missed it. 

You looked just like Anna when you were born, same dark hair, same facial expressions, but had the lungs and sass of your sister Charlotte. We’ve since realized that you are going to be your own little person in both looks and personality. You’re a true mix of both your sisters and parents right now with Anna’s dark hair and nose and Charlotte’s fair skin, eyes and mouth. You may be the tiniest Kelly girl, but right now you can definitely be the loudest, and that’s a pretty big accomplishment. You have a list of things you don’t like, including baths, dirty diapers, your bassinet, changing clothes, and Mommy eating alone. And you’re not afraid to cry at the top of your lungs to let us know. 

With your big personality comes big snuggles and cuddles and coos and sighs. Oh, how I forgot the love that newborn, fresh babies can give! You cuddle up just perfectly and love to be rocked and held; and there’s no shortage of folks available for the job. I love that you still curl up when held and love to be bundled up just like when you were in the womb. You love sitting in your bouncy chair on vibrate, I’d like to think because we were on the go often before you were born. You love looking around and taking it all in, nosy like your Mama, but quietly observant like your Dad. 

You’re eating like a champ and took to nursing right away … well, except your first night home from the hospital when you refused and I had to pump a bottle … but you decided to get back on the bandwagon the next day and haven’t looked back. You weighed the most of any of my children and have packed on the pounds unlike your sisters, rocking the 70% for weight and height at your one month appointment. You lost 9% of your weight in the hospital, but they were OK sending you home with an “experienced mother” and also accounted for the mass number of dirty diapers you produced in less than 48 hours. At 2 1/2 weeks you had packed on 2lbs and at a month you were up 3lbs from the day you left the hospital. You blew through your newborn outfits and diapers and are rocking 0-3 months and size 1 diapers and I wouldn’t be surprised if you bump again by next month. 

Although I swear you gave me looks of “is this really my family?” for the first few days home, you acclimated quickly and are 110% adored by your big sisters. They want to know what you’re doing and if you’re OK at all times, delight in holding you (especially Anna), are big helpers when it comes to grabbing an outfit or diaper for me, and love to shower you with kisses. They even understand your cries better than us sometimes; Anna suggested a diaper change your Gigi a few days ago when you were crying, and guess what, that’s exactly what you needed. I’m happy to say that I haven’t seen any jealousy or regressions, they’ve stayed their normal, yet crazy, selves and we’ve morphed into a family of five unit. 

My pregnancy is one I wouldn’t want to repeat and was filled with many aches and pains, a lot of sweat, and utter exhaustion. But I can hardly remember any of that because the end result is so perfect in every way. Many people have told me how challenging life with three children, much less three girls, will be and I know they’re right. Being a parent in general is no walk in the park most days, but I couldn’t ask for three better girls to raise, and you’re the cherry on top and were definitely meant to be a part of our family. You completed our family in the most perfect way imaginable and I am so blessed to be your Mommy. I can’t wait to see the special little lady you become and I’ll be here for it all … every smile, every laugh, every tear, but most importantly, I’ll be your shoulder to cry on with listening ears and open arms.  You’ll always be my littlest little girl.

Love, 

Mom