Dear Audrey (Week 13)

Dear Audrey,

You had a rough week — life threw a lot at you and I don’t know that a kid five times your age would have handled it without a few fits. Really, the only reason that I know you struggled is that my normally calm, happy baby fussed and cried more this week than any previous stretch of time.

Here’s what is going on. You started daycare full-time on Monday and it was a transition for both of us. So far, thank goodness, so good. You are in a room with four other babies and two, often three, teachers, so you’re getting plenty of attention.

You’re also the youngest and the only one not sitting up, so there’s always someone with you. That’s great, because I get full reports every time I pick you up (Audrey loved the Bumbo today but did not care for tummy time; Audrey ate very quickly and cried after I took the bottle away!) and it shows me how much you’re learning and socializing.

On top of a new routine, which includes an early wake-up call, changes in your feeding schedule, etc., I fear you are going through a growth spurt AND starting to pre-teethe. I don’t feel any teeth yet but I now understand why parents cover up adorable outfits with big bibs…you drool, snot and snurfle all day! I am constantly going after you with a burp cloth, which does not make you too happy.

And you are still a pretty serious baby. Thoughtful, I’d say. You don’t seem to have too many extremes, which is not like your drama queen mom. You get that calm demeanor from your Daddy, for sure.

However, with a lot of work, we did get two giggles from you on tape. Short, but sweet. First, from your Uncle Andrew and Auntie Liza, both of whom you love.

Then from me, which was a shocker. I pulled out all the stops — funny noises, weird dance moves…after a few minutes, I put you on my lap and out came that giggle!

Your favorite place to be is the changing table, preferably naked. I think you just discovered that your feet are attached to your legs, and you KICKKICKKICKKICKKICK with so much vigor that I have to hold you down to the table lest you kick your way off! You are also still maneuvering yourself sideways in the co-sleeper and since you’re so long, you have figured out how to hook your heels over the top.

(And I have to commend Andrew and Liza for changing your diaper a few times!)

Speaking of sleeping, our swaddle days may be ending soon. You’ve always preferred having your hands free, but at night, you have not minded being all straitjacketed up. No more. Twice this week you worked your arms out of a very tight swaddle, so now we’re using just the sack part of your Halo Sleep Sack, and I think that’s how we’ll work from here forward.

You’re all long legs and cheeks, which makes dressing you a challenge. You are stretching out your 3-month onesies with your belly but 0-3 month pants and jeans are still a bit loose. Part of the fun of daycare is that I feel like I have a reason to accessorize you and truly play dress-up, and while I used to worry that you had so many clothes we’d never wear them all, that is not a problem anymore!

You are so, so strong. You’re able to sit up with assistance, but it will be a while until you don’t need my help. You also love standing up on your legs with my hands holding your waist — there really is no newborn left in you. You don’t even like to snuggle as much as you used to, which breaks my heart a little.

You turn 3 months tomorrow and Iwonder if I will every stop reflecting on the day you were born — the amazing experience that we had together changed my life and I will never, ever forget how quickly I fell in love with you.

Love,

Mommy

P.S. We took our very first family trip to the beach with Andrew and Liza — you LOVED it!