4 Month Photo Dump

What a doll!

 

 

Adorable outfit from Aunt Tanya and Uncle Steve. Since my maiden name is Lamb, this is just too cute!

 Look at her holding up her head!

Harper's first Hanukkah with Tal's side of the family. We always celebrate in January since everyone is so busy in December.

Disney baby! On our way to visit Danny. She is getting married in Disneyland in August so this outfit was just too perfect.

Outfit from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Lamb.

Happy New Year everyone!

Love her little faces.

Shirt from Auntie Kelly.

Love this look!

 

4 Months...What a Beautiful Baby We Have!

Harper Lily is 4 months old. I really feel like she is growing out of the newborn stage and starting to become more interactive and more alert. She is very curious about things happening around her and people too. She loves to watch things going on while riding facing forward in her Baby Bjorn. I love to make baby sounds and have her mimic me. It is so darn cute! She is getting better at holding her head up and sitting up supported. I just love to watch her do new things each day.

She had her 4 month check up last week and is weighing 12 pounds 2 ounces. She is in the 25th percentile for weight but the 75th percentile for length! We always thought she was long for being so small. Daddy was so happy, a future hoop player in the making! Tal took her to the doctor since I am back to work now. Which, by the way, has been wonderful. I have loved catching up with everyone at work and all of my kids. My class is awesome. They made me feel so welcome when I got back. I love going to work each day but I cannot wait to come home and see my baby girl at the end of the day.

I purposely scheduled the 4 month check up for when Tal was home so I would not have to do shots with her again. I hate that!! Well, the doctor wouldn't give her the shots because they had to wait until January 20, according to the 4 month mark, since she was born, September 20. Damn! I have to take her on Wednesday to get her shots now.

Tomorrow is Harper's first day at daycare. We have been spending the day getting everything ready to go for tomorrow. I am feeling apprehensive about leaving her but I know she is in great hands. Tal is pretty sad about having to go back to school after his two week paternity leave. He commented to me that he didn't realize how much he would enjoy staying home with her. I couldn't agree more!

I cannot believe how quickly time flies. She grows so much each day. I just don't want to miss a minute of it. I wish I could spend every moment with her. I know that is not possible though. I thank God everyday for such a beautiful family. I am truly blessed!

Cue "Sound of Music"...Here Are A Few of My Favorite Things!!!

I am no baby expert. But these items have made our lives a little easier and Harper really enjoys them. Thought I would share my top baby items with the world. Who knows, someone may find this list useful.

1. Avent Soothies Pacifiers: The NICU started Harper on these and they are the only pacifiers she likes. Lifesavers for our bout with colic and when she is fussy and tired.

2. Fischer Price Rock N' Play Sleeper: This is the best! Harper has reflux after she eats and so at night we can never lay her down flat to sleep after she eats. She hates it and ends up spitting up everywhere. This little baby is lightweight and allows her to sleep at an incline. It can fold up and be easily stored. We love this thing!! (On a side note, there is a recall for these sleepers because they can grow mold in between the liner and fabric holder. Just make sure to keep it really clean and this won't be a problem.)

3. Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags: I tried other bags and they just sucked. These ones are high quality and easily opened in the middle of the night when you're tired and don't feel like messing around with a bag.

4. Dr. Brown's Bottles: They are Harper's favorite. I think they really help with her gas issue too.

5. The hands free pumping bra!!!: Ladies who pump...this is a necessity! You have to have one of these. They allow you to pump and have your hands free to do whatever.

6. Microwave Sterilizing Bags: We use these to sterilize bottles and pumping parts. They are great time savers and keep all of our feeding supplies clean.

7. Car Canopy car seat cover: Look this one up online. They come in a ton of fabric choices. We love ours since we live in the rainy Northwest. It allows us to get around without having Harper being soaking wet. I got mine for free because of an add in the back of my baby magazine. Look for the add and it will give you a code to get a free one online. Just have to pay shipping.

8. Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets: I love these blankets because they are lightweight and made of a breathable fabric. The patterns are super cute and modern too.

9. Gripe Water: This has been great for our gassy little girl. It is ginger and fennel extract. Really helps get rid of painful gas.

Three Months...How Time Flies!

I cannot believe Harper is three months old and I am getting ready to go back to work. YIKES! I am excited to see my class and my co-workers, but I am so sad to not spend my days with my girl. Her little face just brightens my day. Tal is going to stay home with her for two weeks when I start back to work on January 7 so that will be nice to think about while I am at work. Then she starts daycare. I am nervous for her to start daycare but she will be in a daycare with only 6 babies/toddlers. It is really close to work and is run by the YMCA. I know the people who run it so that makes me feel a little better.

Harper continues to grow and grow. She weighed 10 pounds 6.5 ounces at her three month check up and was 22 1/2 inches long. She is now in the 10-25th percentile. She loves to smile and of course that makes us just melt. She is holding her head up well and we have been working on our tummy time. She can hold her up at a 45 degree angle during tummy time. That makes me feel good considering her adjusted age is 6 weeks behind her actual age.

She is doing really well sleeping at night. Most nights she sleeps 3-4 hours between feedings. Some nights she will go 5-6 hours! Still sleeping in her car seat though. She has such bad reflux and hates laying flat to sleep.

Her crying in the evenings has improved. We have figured out a good napping schedule during the day which has really helped the fussiness in the evening. She is just so worn out some evenings that she still cries, but it is better than it was. We have also tried Gripe Water which seems to help with her gassy tummy.

Here are some pictures from the last month.

Harper visiting with our good friend Danny.

These are pictures from the baby shower that my co-workers threw for us. It was supposed to happen in September, but plans changed!

It's a pillow...it's a pet...it's a pillow pet!

 Harper with Marla.

Baby elephant made by Pat. It is so cute! We named it Lily after the new elephant at the Oregon Zoo. And because Harper's middle name is Lily.

Amber is so excited in the background! Thank you for hosting Amber.

A couple of pictures of our Christmas with my family. I wish we had more pictures with family members, but man, the weekend flew by!

Harper and Uncle Scott.

I can't believe how much she has grown in the last month. Look at those little chubs on her legs! I love it!

It is so hard to capture some pictures because she is so wiggly. Everyone we visited with this month cannot believe how active she is. No wonder she is so tired at night!

Outfit from Aunt Osh and Uncle Scott. In three month size!!!

I love this face. It cracks me up!

 Christmas Eve! Pajamas from Great Aunt Jolene.

Her stocking is bigger than she is!

 

Tried to capture this adorable smile, still cute even though the photo is blurry.

 



First Bruce t-shirt from Daddy.

Janie and Jack dress from Mommy.

We had a wonderful Christmas at home, just our little family. Harper got lots of books and some clothes. Great Grandma Lane crocheted Harper some beautiful booties, jackets, and blankets too. Daddy got her her first basketball.

We are just loving watching our Little Squirrel grow. Each day is such a blessing and reward. We are so lucky!