Marjorie meets Marjorie

Today, Marjorie met Marjorie. Our M should have been fussy and grumpy as it was definitely nap time, but she was all smiles while meeting her namesake. I'm pretty sure they're kindred spirits, same names or no. I've never seen her so smiley and happy to meet someone new. 

 

Favorite picture ever!

I know Marjorie will treasure these pictures as she grows.

Marjorie at 3 months

Clearly, I am only using this blog to document my baby. Because that is mostly what my life is made up of presently. Or at least the only thing I take pictures of. I have thoughts about other aspects of womanhood/motherhood that I'd like to write down and maybe I will, but this is about all I can get myself motivated to do. And because she's the first and I want to remember these things for at least one child of mine....

Marjorie at 3 months:

-still in 0-3 month clothes, I think maybe in a few more weeks we might be moving up, but she is a tiny little thing!
-much smoother in her movements, but still a bit jerky
-just started grabbing and being able to hold on to things for a little bit--her lovey or her links
-can pull those items up to her mouth (kind of) and gum on them a little bit, but it does take an awful lot of concentration
-is still trying very hard to find her thumb and still adamantly refuses to use a binky 
-less gassy, but when she is gassy, gripe water doesn't seem to have the same instantly soothing effect it once had
-getting much better at burping (or mommy is getting better at burping) which probably helps with the gassiness
-ridiculously happy when she wakes up in the morning. She will laugh and talk away in her crib, kicking her legs up an down in her swaddle until someone picks her up. She can make a whole lot of noise kicking her legs down on the mattress!
-hated the care seat something fierce when we first got to CA but, she doesn't seem to hate it as much now. However, she will definitely not just stay asleep in it or hang out in it, if she's not in the car, she will let you know she is not pleased
-went through a growth spurt and was waking up once in the night again, but has returned to one dream feed between 10-11pm (when I go to sleep) and then sleeping until any where between 6 and 8am (I prefer the 8am wake ups)
-has begun taaaaaalking. She will lay there and gabble away for 15+ minutes when she's in a good mood
-in the last few days has hung out on her tummy for a few minutes before getting angry. This is much improved from being placed on her tummy and screaming within 30 seconds. She is also lifting her head up so high! But no rolling over yet

Mommy at 3 months:

-went off dairy to see if that would help with M's fussiness. So far it does seem to help, but I think she might have silent reflux as well. That will be a conversation with the doctor once we get back to NYC.
-loves how interactive Miss Marjorie is getting, it's nice to have some positive reinforcement to the ridiculous things I do
-slightly missing being at work, but not really. I am incredibly grateful I don't have to go back right now, right when she's starting to get a little fun
-thoroughly enjoying being at home in California with friends and family, but missing mommy friends in NYC

And now because I'm ridiculous and this blog has become my journal and it's an easy way to share pictures of my girl with my whole family (and I will never explain myself again)... a billion photos.

Marjorie's Blessing

On Sunday June 30, 2013, Dan gave Marjorie a blessing in our ward. Marjorie wore the same blessing gown I wore as well as my brothers and cousins. My great grandma made it for me when I was a baby and I absolutely love the tradition of the babies in our family wearing the same gown.

 

In the pleats, all of the babies blessed in the gown have had their names and birthdays added. Mine is first...

 

And Marjorie's in at the end of the same panel the Ames kids are on...

 

It comes with a sweet little bonnet, handmade shoes and a jacket that goes over the robe. Marjorie didn't wear the jacket since it was so hot. And the shoes unfortunately were a little too small for her feet. 

 

Here's everyone who came to the blessing, Poppa, Libby, Jan, Kate, Dan, Bill, me, Mom and Dad.

Four generations, five with the dress made by Mamo.  

Poppa helping me get the gown pretty.

  Mom and Dad

 

Dan and his mom Jan

It was a very sweet day celebrating our baby girl.

Marjorie at 2 Months

Marjorie at 2 Months:

-switched into 0-3 month clothes at 5 weeks
-at her 2 month appointment (done at 7 weeks) weighed 9 lbs and 1 oz. She is super petite
-continues to struggle with day time naps. Sometimes she goes down super easy, sometimes she fights me all day long. I still don't know the difference between those day but it's definitely getting easier overall
-still a good night time sleeper, once she's down, she's down and goes right back to sleep after eating ... except when she has gas which is not as often now
-getting better and better at night at letting me just place her in the crib still awake but tired and going down on her own. Those nights are the best!
-Gripe water is still our best friend
-still curls up for snuggles, love our little froggy
-smiles at people, especially mommy and daddy
-able to track objects/people with her eyes
-does not like a dirty diaper, she will let you know when it's time to be changed
-starting to enjoy hanging out on the floor looking around
-on good days will spend 30+ minutes hanging out with her friends in her play gym
-thinks tummy time is okay for a couple minutes and then gets real angry. She's very good at holding her head up to look around when she's up on our shoulders
-loves listening/dancing to music (thank goodness for Pandora!)

Mommy at 2 months:

-some days I feel like I've got it all figured out and other days I have no clue what is going on
-tired but not crazy tired, naps are my friend
-able to go out to do errands with only mild nervousness. At the beginning of the month it was always a guarantee that she would fall asleep in the stroller or carrier right away. Now, she is able to stay awake a little bit and likes to look around, especially when she's in the carrier
-frustrated that I can't know exactly what she wants and give it to her, but we're slowly figuring each other out
-feeling like there's more of a routine and not so overwhelmed by the randomness of caring for a newborn
-oh so in love with this little person

Charlotte, Marjorie and Eleanor

Before Ashley and Eleanor left, we had to get the girls together and take pictures to document the cuteness.

But trying to take pictures of three infants is pretty much impossible...

   They look everywhere but where you want them to

   Eleanor is 8 weeks older than Marjorie, and Marjorie is a week older than Charlotte

 

   And with the mama's. Ashley we miss you and Eleanor!

Marjorie at One Month

I took these pictures on Marjorie's one month birthday, but of course didn't get around to downloading them, editing them, and uploading them here until now. Because everything takes longer with an infant.

At one month Marjorie:

-is a pretty good night time sleeper. I always get at least one 4+ hour sleep and then a 2-3 hour sleep
-consistently wakes up with gas/pooping needs between 6 and 6:30 regardless of when she last ate. A little frustrating for all parties involved
-does not like napping during the day. She will stay up hours despite my best efforts to prevent her from becoming overstimulated and going into crazy baby mode
-loves gripe water (as do mom and dad). Baby gas is the worst!
-started with a few social smiles around 3-4 weeks. One of which was directed at her pediatrician so it's legit : )
-doing well with feeding (would eat every single hour if she could) and keeps on growing

At one month Mommy:

-is finally not in pain with breastfeeding
-is happy with the night time sleeping, not so happy with lack of day time sleeping
-starting to feel a little bit more like a person again, but definitely trying to figure out who this new mommy person is
-loves the little froggy cuddles but could do without the high pitched screaming cries
-not quite so scared to go out an about with baby thanks to Glamee's guidance 
-kept a baby alive for an entire month!!! Super proud of that one!