7 weeks, 5 days

Melia will be 8 weeks old on Sunday. Time is flying by, as I knew it would. In addition to having many smiling moments each day, she is bringing lots of smiles to the rest of the family!

What's life like?

We're beginning to develop an evening schedule. After the boys go to bed, Chris and I spend time keeping her calm (nursing, bouncing, holding, etc.) til she falls asleep for the night (in my bed) around 10-10:30pm. As of this week, she's been sleeping about 5 hours, nursing, then going back to sleep for another 3-3 1/2 hours. She tends to wake up around 9am and then join us downstairs. And although we have no day schedule or routine, I'm feeling pretty good about where we are at right now!

At this age/stage, Melia loves...smiling familiar faces, bouncing on the yoga ball with daddy, nursing, being held, swinging, co-sleeping, hearing songs from her big brothers.
She doesn't like...having her hair washed - or having clothing pulled over her head, car rides!!!, when mommy eats chocolate, being alone.

We have introduced a bottle twice - and she took 2 ounces each time. I know we should offer it more often (I can't have her refusing a bottle as Dean did!), but I am always with her so why not nurse?!? I do pump & freeze about 5 ounces a day - and I'm thinking I'll end up donating a bunch like I did before. It feels good to do that! I'm also trying to encourage the pacifier at night - and during occasional car rides. A pacifier would be so much easier than rocking, shushing, bouncing...right?

I love holding Melia, seeing her sleeping, and watching her eyes sparkle when she smiles. I feel so blessed to have this beautiful girl. And her brothers love her too...and to know I have created these three beautiful children with my amazing husband brings me to tears (of joy!).