Three Months with Suzanna Grace

Age: 3 months

Check out how much I have grown!!

Weekly Updates:

I know that you are MINE but I have honestly never seen a more beautiful baby. :)  

Weight: At our last appointment you were 10.5 pounds and you had gained around 2 pounds per month since you were born...if that remained true then I bet you are at least 12-13 pounds.  Mommy is growing that baby!

Height:  ??? I bet you're an inch or so taller...maybe....You like to stand up tall and though old wives tales say that standing too soon will cause you to be bow legged, your Daddy just adds the skill to his list of ways that you are so advanced.

     

We were walking to meet our friends on Toes' boat this week and you got your feet under you and push up in your stroller.  You rode like this the whole way while Mommy snapped pictures and repeatedly told you, "Sit down, you're too liiiitle to stand!"

Diaper Size: Size 1

Clothes Size:  3M! You are officially too big for your NB footies.  I know because I squeezed you into one of my favorite pairs last week and I am surprised that you didn't burst through the seams overnight (I had already committed to putting you in them at bedtime and figured one last night wouldn't hurt...)

Shoe Size: No shoes quite yet.  With the warm weather you have been barefoot a lot! Renee likes to say that you have your "summer toes" out!

Schedule: You are still on a 3 hour eat, play, sleep schedule that plays through at 9 am, 12, 3, 6, and 9 pm. Some nights/mornings you wake up between 3:30-4:30 and a few times you have slept all the way til 7!  When you wake up for that first time in the morning, I usually bring you into Mommy and Daddy's bed where you have been known to sleep soundly cuddled up with either of us until 9 or 9:30!  I hope that you are ALWAYS a cuddle/snuggle lover!
I have read the Mom's on Call books and have their app and they both say that I should be weening you from that middle of the night feeding AND putting you to bed earlier.  However, while Mommy is home and Daddy has class late we have created a schedule that works for our family.  So far, we have done a pretty excellent job of creating a schedule that works for us all.

Fun Facts and Milestones:

• You went downtown to help Mommy present her action research to members of the Chicago Foundation for Educators.  Renee came to watch you during the presentation and snapped some shots of us taking in the view!  And, yes, our outfits color coordinate...you'll be embarrassed about this in about 13 years but come to appreciate in it 30...

• We celebrated Baby Alvarez in the burbs with all of our friends!  You even attended your first sleep over.  Daddy and the boys had their annual "City of Lights" golf tournament so we rode down with Leslie, Meg, and Liz G.  Every time Mommy looked in the rearview mirror to check on you, all I could see was one of the girls heads giving you kisses! 

We love our friends!

You were super excited to see that Daddy after a day away from him!

• You had your first trip to the beach too (separate post to come!).  The Moore/Ray/Ellis family vaca began for the two of us in Memphis before we traveled to Madison and then on to Orange Beach.  This trip included many firsts for you and for us as a family: 
• traveling without Daddy
• Southwest misplacing all of our luggage
• celebrating Uncle Rob and Aunt Angela's engagement
• meeting Uncle Bryson
• getting your toes in the water and sand at the beach
• floating in the lazy river
• Father's Day
• Mommy's 25th Birthday (again)
• hair being long enough to wear a bow

We had such a fun time at the beach and cannot wait for the tradition to continue each year as our families grow and grow!  

• Daddy graduated from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business with his MBA when we returned from our vacation.  He has worked so hard for us and we are so proud.  We took several selfies and luckily kind strangers also offered to take pictures.  Mother after mother approached us to comment on how beautiful you were and how much they loved your smocked dress.  Many told me about how they had hand smocked similar styles for their son or daughter who was graduating that day.  You stole the show.

• It is World Cup time and you LOVE all the colors and sounds coming from the games you watch with Daddy on TV.  You got a little fussy one day when daddy put you on his chest so that he could watch the game...all he had to do was turn around so that you could watch and you were happy again.  USA, USA, USA!

• You love music and "dancing".  You kick your legs and pump your arms.  You think Daddy and his friends are funny too...

• Rob, Angela, and Elsie Lee drove up from MS and stopped in Chicago to spend the night and hang out for a day before they headed up to WI.  We enjoyed walking around Southport and showing them our city!  You and Elsie Lee enjoyed ignoring each other.

• On June 9 you rolled over for the first time from your tummy to your back!  You do not do it consistently but you do lift your chest up high and talk in your outside voice whenever we lay you on your stomach. You also kick, kick, kick, which sometimes takes you clear off the play mat!

•  You no longer sleep in the PODster.  It was great while it lasted but one night when we put you in it you just looked huge so we decided that it was time to let you sleep without it.  We still swaddle you and you sleep really well in it.  The other night I heard you stirring and when I went it you had turned yourself all the way around and had your feet sticking out the side of the crib. 

•  You have a pretty fabulous life girlfriend.  Though we didn't venture out onto the water for a ride on Toes' boat, you did enjoy an afternoon on the docks.  All of our dock friends commented on how beautiful your eyes and , of course, bikini were.  Toes' boat, The SlumpBuster, sure has changed its demographic over the years...

Two Month Update with Our Girl

Age: 2 Months

Weekly Updates:

Weight: 10.5 pounds!  The Doctor told Mommy that she was doing a GOOD JOB!  Baby girl is GROWING!

Height: You are 20 and 3/4 inches tall which puts you just under average in height for a girl your age but we already know you are just going to be petite. 

Diaper Size: Size 1

Clothes Size: You are still able to wear all of your newborn gowns except for the matching PJs. We have been trying to put you into some of your 3M bubbles since it's been warm but it's a bit of a stretch.

Shoe Size: No shoes quite yet.  With the warm weather you have been barefoot a lot! 

Schedule:

• 3-4: 00 am: Wake up,nurse (just a little...I think you are getting close to dropping this feeding), diaper change, back to bed
• 6-7:00 am: Wake up, Daddy comes to get you and changes you diaper, nurse in Mommy and Daddy's bed 
• Sometimes you go right back to sleep in bed beside Mommy.  You don't love sleeping on our chests anymore in the morning which makes your Daddy a little sad.  He still gets his snuggles though.  You usually get up and "talk" to Daddy before he leaves for work.
• Some mornings you are up and we walk with Daddy to work and then walk around the neighborhood ourselves
• 9:00 am:  Nurse 
• We have gotten good at doing this on a park bench or at BuyBuyBaby which is on our route back home when we walk with Daddy
• 9:30 am: Play, listen to records, "talk"
• 10:30 ish-Nap
• 12:00: Nurse
• 12:30-Play, stroll, hang out in the sink while Mommy fixes lunch (yes, I prop you up in your bath chair in the sink...)
• 1/1:30-3:00: Nap (You sometimes nap until 4)
• 3:00/4:00: Nurse
• 4:00-6/7: Play and nap
• 6/7: Nurse
• 8:30/9: Bathtime
• 9:30: Nurse and play with Daddy until you fall asleep (usually 10-10:30)

 Fun Facts and Milestones:

• You have been on a plane ride TWO times this month.  The first time we flew to Oxford, MS to attend the Double Decker Festival and the second time was to Madison, MS for Mother's Day.  You are such a trooper and we actually made it to the airport in record time.  Leave it to having a baby to get your Mother to be prompt.  I wear you in the baby bjorn and you snuggle up and go to sleep.   

Daddy requested a selfie...this was the best that I could get while awkwardly standing in the middle of the walkway with a baby strapped on...taking said selfie.

• We flew back to Oxford, MS when you were 4 weeks old (I guess this should have gone in your 1 month post...but it didn't.)

At one point (for reasons I will not list) you, daddy, and mommy were all stripped down to our undies and taking turns washing off.  #parenthood

• You had a great time back home in Madison for Mother's Day and met lots of new people.  Sissy and SuSu enjoyed showing you off!

Daddy and your Uncles got their redneck on as they participated in a "turtle massacre." 

We spent a lot of time on the porch visiting.

You met Uncle Ryan and really liked sitting in his lap and talking. 

The "Ray" Girls

Daddy B showed you around the country.  I cannot wait  look forward (I CAN wait...time is already passing by too fast) to you spending summer days back in Madison fishing, swimming, and running around in the country.

You got to meet your GanGan for the first time too.  She kissed on your little baby feet :)

 Uncle Ryan's first time holding you.

• You got your first Renaldo bracelet on Mother's Day to match the bracelets that you gave Aunt MA, SuSu, and Mommy.  We attempted to give a matching bracelet to your Sissy too but the people who wrapped everything at the store gave Mommy and EMPTY box that we then gave to Sissy.  To saw that we were initially mortified is an understatement but luckily your Sissy has a good sense of humor and said that the empty box was more than the boys usually gave her, so she felt like it was a step in the right direction.  HAHA!  She did get the bracelet and now all of your most favorite women have a bracelet that reminds them of you and, one day, you of them. 

• You smiled at your Daddy for the first time when he came in to get you from your crib.  It melted his heart.  He could hardly work that day and sent me message after message about you...

• You are the Black Hawks tiniest fan.  Daddy dresses you in your jersey and ruffled panties for the games.  On the nights when I haven't dressed you, they have lost.  You are a good luck charm. 

• You hold your head up and move it all around.  Sometimes when we go for walks I hold you and let you look around.  Your head is so strong and you just look and look at everything around you.  

• Hehe...your Mommy likes to take pictures of you all the time.  This one is your "duck" selfie face. Aunt Ashlee says y'all have some work to do. 

• On May 22 you got your first cousin!  Welcome to God's beautiful world Miss Elsie Lee.  Congrats Uncle Rob and Aunt Angie!  You enjoyed FaceTiming with EL and SuSu when she was just a few days old. 

• You have met BOTH of Mommy's classes this month.  You went on a Field Trip to the Nature Museum with the Coonley kiddos.  They did not know that we were coming and screamed when they saw us.  Mommy had planned to tell them to only touch your feet but they went all in before I could give directions.  You had cookie crumbs on your head and lots of love all over when we left so Mommy just gave you a bath when we got home.  
  

• You traveled with Mommy, Daddy, and Toes to Indy this month for your first Indy 500 Race weekend.  You had a blast meeting JohnJohn, Meg, and the rest of the Carlstedt crew and loved being the center of attention.  You were not put down the whole time.  Mommy and Daddy learned that loud noises combined with little sleep and large crowds could be overwhelming to our girl (surprise, surprise) and you did have a few meltdowns.  Geoff was especially concerned and worried about that happy girl.  Bless your heart, other than those few, quick hiccups you were a fabulous traveler!  

Indy Bound!

You enjoyed a pool day with the girls at the Country Club.

 Race Day smocked outfit and posing with Daddy

 Thanks Aunt MA for Suzanna Grace's Indy 500 wardrobe! 'Merica!

Suzanna Grace is SO loved!  I adore the middle picture of her "getting ready" with Mommy and the girls!  Also notice the three baby hogs...Leslie and Kev are obvious but Jimmy Love came in and stole the show too.

Stop...just stop. Your bikini came in a day late for the Indy pool day but that didn't stop us from doing a photo shoot when we got back home!

You got your 2 month shots and cried and cried.  Luckily your Daddy and I were more prepared this time.  You nursed right after the shots and that seemed to calm you.  Daddy was a little more traumatized than you this time around.  The nurse who checked you out could not get over your vintage smocked gown and monogrammed panties.  Though these things are very typical for a southern baby, here in the Midwest folks think that your wardrobe is very unique and LOVE to pay you compliments.

• You have found your hands and they go straight into your mouth.  You tuck your thumb into your fist so you haven't yet started sucking it BUT you have found these two fingers.  Smart girl...you already know how to sooth yourself!

• Are are truly the happiest girl in the world!  You very rarely cry and when you do Mommy knows that something is up.  You talk and coo and (Mommy's favorite) smile with your eyes as you grin from ear to ear.  We sing, "Who's the happiest girl in the woooorrrlllddd?  Suzanna Grace! Suzanna Grace!  Who's the happiest girl in the woooorrrlllddd? It's our Suzanna Grace!"  Of course we also sing this saying smartest, kindest, and prettiest. :)    

• You are the hit of every party!  And yes, you bring Geoff and Kev even closer...

• The Ross' came all the way from DC to see you!

• We are working on "bonnet training" you.  Seeing as your head is beautifully round, you prefer to not have anything on it including hats, bows, headbands, and yes bonnets too. 

We love this little girl and are having so much fun watching her grow! Thank you Lord for a healthy and happy little love.