Kathryn Reese: 1 Month

Weight: 8 pounds, 7 ounces (14th percentile)

Length: 21.5 inches (64th percentile)

Head: 15 inches (88th percentile)

Well, little ladybug, we survived the first month together! Definitely a month of ups and downs, as you are battling some pretty nasty reflux now that you are totally bottle-fed. As much as I tried, nursing was just not in the cards for us unfortunately, so after your first 10 days, we gave up on that venture. It's taken quite a few tries to get your formula right, but you seem to be doing well on the Similac Total Comfort and Dr. Brown's bottles. Sadly, we had to start you on Zantac about two weeks ago as well, as you were violently spitting up (usually on your daddy) and in so much pain from your reflux. I'm still not 100% convinced we have you on the right meds since you still twist and seem to hurt with a few feeds here and there, but as of now, that's what we do. I'm hopeful that with a little more time for your tummy/digestive system to develop that this will be nipped in the bud. It's SO sad to watch you hurt, but at this point, I think we're doing the best we can for you. 

I normally would talk about your daily routine at this point, but let's be honest, we just don't have one yet! I'm hoping that will develop more as we start trying for the eat, play, sleep cycle this month. I'm definitely not a huge Babywise fan, but I do believe the eat, play, sleep cycle encourages better sleep, so we do plan to start trying for that part now that you are a month old. As far as your day to day goes, you are typically eating anywhere from 2-4 ounces every 2.5-3 hours. If you are super sleepy during a feed and only take 2 ounces, it's a challenge to hold you off even for 2 hours, but the pacifier and going outside helps a lot. You LOVE your soothies and the Wubbanub! (So different from your brother!) 

As far as sleep goes, you are a rockstar most nights and sleep about 4-hour stretches. Two nights ago, we got a 5-hour stretch from 9:30-2:30 and it was glorious! If your reflux is really bothering you or you spit up in the middle of the night, it's a battle to get you back down, but most nights you go back very easily now that you seem to have day and night figured out. You also love to sleep swaddled, even though you eventually work your hands out of it. (Yet another major difference from your brother!) Since you do have the reflux, you would definitely prefer to be sleeping on your tummy, which we learned from many tummy time fails, but at this point, I force you to sleep swaddled in the Rock 'n' Play at night. Naps during the day, you just kind of sleep wherever - car seat, bouncy chair, swing, etc. This week, I started trying to get a good afternoon nap going in your crib. Most days it has worked, so I'm hoping the crib transition isn't too brutal. We have no idea when we'll make that transition at night, but I'd like to consistently get good naps in there first so I know you're used to it. 

You have the sweetest little temperament and so far are a very laid back little girl. You love spending time on your Boppy or in your bouncy seat, staring at lights/ceiling fans, and being outside in the fresh air. You also love going for walks, your swing, and watching your big brother play. He is SO sweet and loves to come over and talk to you, feed you, "hold" you, etc. He calls you "Sister" most of the time, but he definitely knows your name. He gets VERY upset when you cry...I think it scares him...which just shows how much he cares about you. :) 

You've developed a little bit of a fussy period at night before bedtime, but that's totally normal for a newborn and we have just learned to take you outside, put you in your bouncy seat, and let your lungs get some exercise around 8:30 each night. :) You'll outgrow it, so I'm not sweating it at this point. (Sorry neighbors!)

Well, peanut, I guess that's about it! I'm looking forward to the second month and seeing how your little personality develops and watching you interact more and more with your brother. We can't wait to see your sweet smile and watch you grow into a little lady, and we sure do love you!

Kate's First Swim!

We headed down to my parents' house to swim at their neighborhood pool tonight, and we even got Kate in the water in a teeny little bathing suit. :) She was unimpressed by the water, but she sure looked cute!

Carter's First Day of Preschool

Big day in our house today! Carter began his new preschool this morning, and Kate and I began attending MOPS as well, so we had a big morning around here! Carter did great at school today - drop off was a little rough, but I was told he calmed down quickly and was a sweetheart today. So proud! We are looking forward to a great year with Ms. Holly and Ms. Amie! :)

Kathryn Reese: 3 Weeks Old

 While Kate was napping today, I snapped a few pictures of our sweet girl. They are certainly not professional, but I thought they came out pretty well! :) She is most definitely growing! 

2-Week Visit

Baby girl, you are growing! We had your two week visit this morning and you weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces (13th percentile) and were 20.25 inches (51st percentile). Last week, you were 5 pounds, 10 ounces, so you are gaining like a rock star now that you are exclusively on formula. You are still super relaxed and laid back during the day and didn't fuss a bit at the pediatrician...although you did pee on the scale, me, AND the doctor. :) You got a perfect report - no jaundice, developing perfectly, and growing like a weed. Keep it up little one!

Kathryn Reese Ezell is HERE!

August 9, 2013 at 1:23pm

6 pounds, 2 ounces

19.5 inches

So relieved that she's HERE and healthy!

First picture as a family of four! :)

Carter is seriously the BEST big brother and loves to "hold" and kiss baby sister. He speaks very softly to her, loves to give her paci to her (whether she needs it or not...), and has even shared his Momo with her when she was crying! (If you know Carter, you know that's a BIG deal!)

This just makes me melt!

Headed home with our new little bundle! We are all TOTALLY in love with this precious angel...ALL of us! 

38 Weeks: Just 2 Days to Go!

I. CANNOT. BELIEVE. I'M. STILL. PREGNANT.

Baby girl, you are just content as can be in there, so it looks like we will have to go ahead and evict you on Friday. All of my labor-inducing tactics that worked with your brother have failed me, so we are going to have to induce on Friday morning. I am SO ready to see you and hold you in my arms!!!

At my appointment this morning, your weight was 7 pounds, 1 ounce according to the sonogram, but those can be off by up to a pound so she basically said to expect somewhere between 6 and 8. (Thanks, lady, real specific.) Your brother was only 6 pounds, 2 ounces, so I'm betting you are somewhere in the 6's...I cannot believe that we'll find out in less than 2 days! The plan is to go in on Friday morning at about 7:30, and Dr. Harn believes you will be here by early afternoon given how quickly your brother's labor went. I hope he's right...so far, NOTHING about this pregnancy has been even remotely similar to your brother's, so I won't be surprised at all if Friday is a LONG day waiting on you.

Believe it or not, I'm actually feeling pretty good. I still have decent amounts of energy, and while the Braxton-Hicks I experience constantly are not fun, they are only occasionally painful. I've actually been sleeping somewhat decently, and we've been spending a TON of time in the pool as a family. My weight has stayed the same for the last 10 weeks, making my total gain for this pregnancy 21 pounds. The doctor was concerned about my lack of weight gain for a while, and he had me up my calorie intake to 2200 per day the last few weeks. (I was originally put on a 2000 calorie diet with my diabetic meal plan.) I've been following the plan, but my weight is just stuck and won't budge anymore, despite the nightly ice cream and frequent burgers we've been enjoying the last month or so. :) Dr. Harn said it's very abnormal to gain no weight in the third trimester, but since you look so healthy and are at a good weight that I should just count my blessings that I'll be back to my usual self very quickly.

Today is my last day of "me time" before your arrival where I have a day to myself with Carter at school...it's very bittersweet because the house is so quiet today (which part of me loves and knows is so fleeting), and yet, I'm SO looking forward to the noise and chaos of having my two kids at home with me next week.  Tomorrow, I plan to just soak up every last minute of Mommy/Carter time that I can...my heart is so heavy for him because I know his life is about to change so dramatically, and yet he is blissfully ignorant about the changes that lie ahead. I am so anxious about how he's going to handle things - he will love you, baby girl, there's no doubt in my mind. But I worry about how I'm going to be able to give you BOTH the love and attention that you BOTH need and deserve when there is only one little sleep-deprived me to go around. We'll find our way eventually...it's just the journey to find it that keeps me up at night.

With that said, this is going to be a WONDERFUL change, and we cannot wait to see your beautiful face on Friday, sweet angel! We already love you so much, baby girl!