Happy 2 Months Baby Taylor

Dear Baby Taylor,

Well, you've been with us for 2 whole months (not to mention the 9 months + 10 days in me). I just wanted you to know how much you have stolen our hearts. You are so very precious to your daddy and I. We both adore you completely. From the moment I pulled you up onto my chest, you had me. The first couple of weeks were an adjustment; we were trying to figure you out, as I'm sure you were doing the same to us. But I think we've finally got a nice thing going. You have grown and changed so much already in such a short time period.

In two months you:

• have grown almost 3 inches


• have gained over 2 pounds
  
• are better at holding up your head


• nap on your belly


• make eye contact with us and follow us around with those big, blue eyes
  
• coo and 'talk' to us


• recognize mommy and daddy when you see us


• recognize daddy by feeling his beard


• smile when we play with you


• play on your mat for over 30 minutes at a time


• blow bubbles with your mouth


• grab things with your hands


• go to sleep when we lay you down at night (right now anyways)


• stare at your hands and put them together


• stare at your feet and sometimes get startled by them


• listen to us when we read a book to you and even look at the pictures


• laughed for the 1st time while mommy was singing you "Don't Worry, Be Happy"


• have figured out that mommy's arms feel better than anyone else's

Doll baby, you are amazing!

Some other special things:

• You love being wrapped up in your Moby. It's your safe place.


• You're already showing some personality. You are a very happy, smiley baby. I also think you might be a little bit feisty, and you seem to have a bit of a temper. My family always said it's the red hair that does it.


• Oh yeah, I think you are going to have red hair. Right now it's strawberry-blond, so we'll just have to wait and see.


• You make the best facial expressions. That is from your daddy. Just wait: he will teach you all kinds of funny faces.


• You have mommy's eye shape, but daddy's blue eyes.


• You also have looooong legs and arms.


• You love your arms over your head.


• You have a huge dimple on the left side of your cheek. Adorable.


• You love it when mommy sings to you and makes funny voices.

P.S. You are incredibly loved! I thank God every day for the way our church, the youth group, and your family love you. You are precious in His sight and many others too!

Love,

Mommy

My Thoughts After Two Months

I cannot believe it...we have a 2 month old little angel. The time really has flown. We made it through the brand-new baby stage. I loved every minute of it (almost).



There were definately hard parts, days where I just cried along with Taylor, felt totally inadequate for mommyhood, had no idea what to do, and doubted myself completely. Now I'm sure those days will come throughout all stages of parenting, but I'm glad they are over for now. It just requires me constantly dying to myself and trusting in Christ.



Lynn kept telling me her motto for raising children, "This too shall pass." And it's totally true. I thought Taylor's gas issues were going to be the end of me. It broke my heart to listen to her cry in pain from those evil gas bubbles in her belly. But that has passed. And it's wonderful. Yes, she cries...she's a baby. But it is nothing like those evil gas bubbly cries, and for that, I am thankful.



6 weeks was the magic number for me.



Oh, and nursing is going well. Nursing was the thing I was most anxious about, even more than labor. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to nurse, and I wanted to so badly. It hasn't been easy. I had to use these shields for awhile, and they were a pain. I was glad to use them, though, because they helped Taylor get a good latch. But I'm pretty sure they were the cause of the bad tummy issues. So, I'm glad my mom 'made' me get Taylor off of the shields. We've been shield-free for over 2 weeks, and I don't plan on going back. :-)



Nursing has also been difficult because of the unknown. I worried myself sick over whether or not Taylor was getting enough to eat. I think it's because I've heard so many people say they had problems with their child not getting enough to eat. I convinced myself that was the case for me too. I was so insecure all the time: "Is she crying because she's hungry or tired?" "There's no milk." "My child is hungry." "I can't do this!" I would secondguess myself constantly and go against my gut feelings. I finally had to come to the realization that I was not in control. I had to give it up to God, and put my trust in Him. God has taught me a lot about trust through nursing.



By the way, can I just say that I LOVE nursing! There is something so wonderful about feeding my sweet baby girl. I wish Jonathan could experience it, but I guess it's something special that God reserved just for mommys. It is such a special bonding time between mommy and baby.

Oh, and one more thing: smiles are the most magical things! God knew what He was doing with smiles. They light up my day and melt my heart. When she first smiled her bright smile at me, all the hard parts of mommyhood suddenly seemed so dim. They are the best!

That's all.