Three Months

Thoughts from a mother at three (and a half) months:

1. I think this little creature is beautiful. I know I am biased. Part of me wonders whether she is "breathtaking" like the baby in Seinfeld, and that I just can't see past my love for her. But I'm pretty sure she's not and that she really is the most gorgeous baby in the world. (Yes. . . in the world.)

2. This is a really fun age. I hate that I have to spend so much of it at work. I have never been so eager to get home, or so excited when she wakes up from a nap. Saturday and Sunday are a gift to look forward to each week.

3. Before we had Ella, many people said, "oh, how your lives will change forever." And I knew everything would be different, but no one mentioned how exhausting and difficult the first month and some could be. I felt as though I was in a fog that miraculously lifted sometime during her 7th week of life. Around that time, she started going to bed at a reasonable time (9:00-ish) and sleeping later in the morning (also 9:00-ish). She still wakes up to eat a couple times during that stretch, but we have been blessed with a quick eater, that goes back to sleep reliably. (Since her first week - maybe second - she has always been back asleep at most 40 minutes after she woke up; now more like 25-30) It is much easier getting out of bed at night when I know I'll be back in it soon.

4. (Feel free to skip this one if you don't want details of bowel movements.) I have never been so interested in poop until I started changing diapers. What color was it? What was the consistency? Did it smell sweet? (Nothing I'd want to eat, but seriously - sometimes it smells sweet.) How many times? I count myself lucky that she only goes once a day at the most, sometimes several days between dirty diapers. I can afford to note each one because they are rare. (I've read, and been told by my doctor that this is normal for breast-fed babied.) I am not going to rush on the solid food in part because I am not looking forward to the stinky poop.

5. Ella and I have had some really long conversations. There is nothing better than coming home to a baby that lights up when she sees me, smiles at the ridiculous faces I make, and talks to me non-stop for 30 minutes. She thinks I'm the bees knees, and I am going to enjoy this while it lasts.

6. Ella giggles on occasion, and I smile so much it makes my face hurt.

7. Ella drools. . .a lot. She has started buzzing her lips while pushing the spit out (are these called raspberries?) It appears to be fun because she can't seem to get enough.

8. Watching Jon with Ella warms my heart. He has an evening ritual of waltzing with her to Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty. (I tried to add a little video of it, but it won't load.) She loves it. Even if she is upset, she can't help but laugh while trying to stick her bottom lip out. It is an added perk when she falls asleep by the end of it.

9. I love, love, love this girl.