Daphne - Three Months Old

Let's look at what has happened since last month...

Feeding: Daphne's eating about every 3 hours during the day and sleeping longer during the night...YAY!

Weight: 

Two Months: 7lbs 15oz; just a hair shy of our goal of 8lbs!

Three Months:  We have no doctor visit to get an accurate weight, but she's for sure over 9 pounds! (by our guess)

Length:  

Two Months: 20.25 inches

Three Months: same as the weight category; we know she is longer/taller because some of her pants don't reach as far down her legs as they used to! Not saying they are 'high waters' or anything, just shorter.

Diaper Size:

Size 1 diapers

Clothes Size:

All Newborn sizes have been outgrown...now 0-3 months fit perfect.

Hair Color:

Two Months: dark it is - except for the spots where it looks to have thinned out...but definitely not fallen out.

Three Months: maybe a shade lighter, but when the sun hits just right..there is a hint of auburn.

Eye color:

Two Months: blue, definitely blue

Three Months: still blue

Probably the biggest thing that has happened since last month is that Daphne started daycare. She seems to be liking it and doing well.  In fact, they tell us how happy she always is.  It probably helps that she is the youngest and smallest in her class, so she receives all the extra available attention and available arms to hold her as she's not crawling like the other babies in her room.  It’s a “learning center” so they have already started working with her on things like her strength and hand-eye coordination.  She tries to grab toys and laughs quite a bit, and she has great head and neck control.

While at home, Daphne has been “talking” and laughing up a storm quite often. The laughing is sometimes so loud that you can’t hear anything over it and it makes us laugh too!  And, when I use the word laughing...it is more like the cutest little (albeit loud) squeaking noise you've ever heard accompanied by the widest toothless smile you've ever seen.  :)  Talk about melting our hearts!

Daphne continues to love gazing at the ceiling fan, or just about anything that might be on the ceiling.  She loves to feel the breeze on her face when we go outside for a mini-walk or to check the mail or to just visit with the neighbors.  It is yet another thing that brings that cutest smile out!

It is crazy that we don't 'technically' have a newborn, but an infant.  She is growing so fast!  Each day brings something new and each little phase is more fun than the last.  It is still (sometimes) hard to believe that Daphne is here and that she is ours!  *pinch us please*  She is such a joy and a blessing to have in our lives.  She loves her family and we all love her.  She fits in...in a way that only God could have designed.

Daphne - Two Months Old

So much has happened this past month. Let's take a look...

Feeding: You're eating about every 3-4 hours during the day and sleeping longer during the night.You've even given us some 6 hours stretches of sleep!

Weight: 

One Month:  6lbs 6oz; last doctor visit
Two Months: 7lbs 15oz; just a hair shy of our goal of 8lbs!

Length:  

One Month: 17.3 inches

Two Months: 20.25 inches

Diaper Size:

Literally, 3 days ago went up from Newborn to Size 1 diapers

Clothes Size:

Outgrowing some of the newborn sizes; some brands of 0-3 months fit perfect!

Hair Color:

One Month: still pretty dark and it looks like it might stay 

Two Months: dark it is - except for the spots where it looks to have thinned out...but definitely not fallen out.

Eye color:

One Month: think they are here to stay, those baby blues! but not sure yet what version of blue they will be...

Two Months: blue, definitely blue

You are smiling more and more...even if it is just gas...we like to think it's because you are such a happy, laid-back baby! The cooing is just too stinking cute for words. You recognize mom and dad's voices for sure and look for us when we are talking to you. You still love gazing at the ceiling fan in the living room and we have affectionately named it Mr. Fan (or Fanny, for short!).

We've enjoyed having Rachel's mother and grandmother in town since our return from California - actually they arrived in North Carolina around Christmas-time to escape the bitter cold weather and temps of Maine and have been here ever since. Unfortunately, it is time for them to head back to Maine...we have all enjoyed our time with you!

Daphne has had a lot of visitors since returning from California, including her first visit with Grandma & Grandpa LaManna. Grandma out shopped us all, especially Daphne...who slept the entire time.  LOL! We enjoyed all of the cooking...and of course, the eating!

Thanks so much to our family for everything -- especially your time with us, it is invaluable and appreciated more than you know!

Daphne in her Little Peanut outfit

Daphne is all smiles in her hooded polka dot jacket

All stretched out - 2 months TODAY!

Adoption Fundraiser - Coming to and End

Just a quick reminder that our t-shirt fundraiser will be closing the end of February 2012...by the first weekend of March.  :)

 

http://www.adoptionbug.com/lamannasadopt/

For those of you that have already purchased a t-shirt in support of our adoption fundraiser...THANK YOU!!  And don't forget to send a candid photo of you wearing the t-shirt so it can be included into Daphne's Adoption Scrapbook.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support...love to all.

 

Daphne - One Month Old

1 month old.

How could this be baby girl?

Cannot believe that time is flying by this fast...

Mommy and Daddy just want to bundle you up and keep you little forever...

And at the same time, we love to watch you grow.

To watch your personality unwind right in front of our eyes.

To watch you as you discover life.

To just watch you.

We could do that forever.

Sit there. And Stare.

You woke up this morning so adorable...we gave you ten million gazillion kisses and told you 

how much we love and adore you.

We LOVE you baby girl. so. so. much.

So much has happened this past month. Let's take a look...

Feeding: You continue to eat about every 2-3 hours during the day and sometimes 3-4 hours during the night...definitely a growing baby!

Weight: 

At birth: 5lbs 7oz

One Month:  5lbs 13 oz; last doctor visit (on 01-25) you were gaining an ounce a day! Dr. visit on Friday of this week will tell us more.

Length:  

At birth: 16.9 inches

One Month: 17.3 inches

Diaper Size:

Newborn and you are going through about 10 a day...depending.   :)

Clothes Size:

Newborn, but some brands of 0-3 months fit as well!

Hair Color:

At birth: Very dark

Month: still pretty dark and it looks like it might stay

Eye color:

At birth: Very dark blue with a hint of charcoal gray

One Month: think they are here to stay, those baby blues! but not sure yet what version of blue they will be...

You are constantly staring at everything around you. The lights. The fans. The walls. You name it, you are just taking it all in. You are more alert.  You love to snuggle, and would rather be sleeping on mommy or daddy than anywhere else. We are enjoying these precious moments that you are small enough to sleep on our chests, with your sweet little head nestled under our chin.

You are a unique, beautiful, precious jewel, and we are so happy to call you our daughter.

2 weeks (a bit early)

OK, Daphne isn't quite 2 weeks old as this blog entry is being typed...but we figured we had time now, so naturally we should do it now.  Because who knows what the next few days will bring or if we'll even have time to make an entry.

Our sweet girl is growing so much! She is staying awake for longer periods of time and eating like a champ - even if it dribbles down her cute chin into the folds of her neck. She has the most beautiful lips and nose that we could look at all day.  We keep looking at her in complete awe. She is perfect! We can't believe God choose us to be this beautiful baby girl's parents. I (Rachel) love watching her little facial expressions and even if it just gas; her smiles melt away my need for sleep. There is nothing better than leaning my face down to her head, as she sleeps on my chest, smelling her sweet baby scent as I lightly kiss her soft forehead.   And I (Adam) just love to look at her when she is awake or asleep.  I sometimes can't believe she is finally here with us after the long wait!!

Daphne is very good at letting us know what she does and doesn't like.

Likes:

• being wrapped up in the Baby K'Tan all snuggled next to mama
• napping on our chests
• car rides
• bath time - well, it is really not a bath since her cord has yet to fall off; and despite her wriggling around and many noises she makes...she does like her 'bathy time'
• being able to pee and/or poop on either of us during a diaper change

 Dislikes:

• diaper changes, unless she gets the chance to repeat the last bulleted item from above
• going to sleep at night...she much prefers to sleep during the day right now
• footed pajamas - at least the ones we brought with us; they are too big for her and her feet do not reach the actual foot part of the pajama

We know this time will fly by quickly so we are savoring every moment with our squishy, sleepy, snuggly, adorable, sweet baby girl. 

Life as a mama has been incredible. It's everything I (Rachel) could have dreamed of, and more! She's such a good baby, with such a good disposition. Sometimes, when I'm talking to her, or singing to her, I get so emotional that I just start to cry. I cannot believe that after all of this time, I am finally a mommy! I love you, Daphne Jane! You are my heart.

Daphne taking a stroll in the park while in the K'tan wrap