Mara-3 Months

Mara all of a sudden you're a quarter of a year old.  I can't believe how much you've changed in the last few days.  You have really come into your personality and we love getting to spend everyday with you.

Weight: I just weighed you this morning and you are still around 15 pounds.  I think in the last few weeks you are getting longer.

On Christmas morning

Health: You are doing well in this area.  Mama was a little worried with all the germs while traveling but you did great.  I think I had a minor heart attack when your cousin threw up while we were visiting.  Thankfully for you and him it was a fluke thing.

Your eyes were a bit goopy again but its cleared up after a few days of breastmilk in there.  You have also been tugging at your left ear a bit.  We've been putting in drops and it seems to be helping.

The dry weather up north really did a toll on your skin.  Poor girl has scales in some spots.  I've been slathering on coconut oil with every diaper change.  I haven't noticed much change yet but it seems to at least moisturize your skin and relieve the itchiness.

You are definitely teething.  The drool is coming in full force and we can feel your two bottom teeth in your gum line.  Thankfully we haven't seen a significant increase in fussiness or any fevers.

Last night you may have made me eat my words. You were a bit fussy and congested. I'm hoping it clears up soon because I can't stand watching you struggle to breathe.

Naps with Daddy are the best

Social: You are so vocal these days!!  You coo and make the funniest noises.  The other day you even laughed at your Daddy! The smiles just keep coming and now you give them out throughout the day.

You did great with all the new people and places over our trip.  You met your Grandpa, Uncle Joe, Great Gram, Great Grandpa, Great Aunts, Auntie Carrie, Uncle Caleb, cousins, and lots of friends!  You let everyone hold you and did great tracking people with your eyes.  It was fun to see you look for Mommy and Daddy in the room.  You had eyes for us (especially Daddy) and seemed to just want to make sure we were close by.

You are still kicking your legs and flailing your arms like its your job.  Your Grandpa thought this was the funniest thing.  We said you just think you can crawl already.

Under the Christmas tree

Diet: Breast milk!! You seem interested in what were doing when we eat and we've recently let you try to sit up in your high chair during dinner. You do ok.

Clothes: You still wear some 0 to 3 month clothes but they are getting tight.  I tend to put you in 3 month clothes just so we have enough space for your diapers.  I have also noticed that a lot of your pants are getting short.  You must be growing!!

Since we were traveling we switched over to disposable diapers.  You didn't really fit into the size 1 so we had to go up to size two.

Tongue

Mama's Favorites: These past weeks I've loved your sleep sheep.  I think it really helped us traveling and trying to keep a semi-consistent sleep routine.  I also love your stroller and car seat.  I don't know how we would have gotten through the airports without it.

Crying: You have been a bit fussy the past few weeks when we've moved to a new environment.  It took you two days at my parents, two days in Wisconsin and two days here at home.  I'm hoping that you'll do better tonight.

Pretty girl loves her jumper

Sleep: Your sleep has been really on and off since traveling.  It seems the first two nights you need reassurance that mamma and daddy are nearby.  You keep waking up in the night and I've allowed you to sleep with us.  As soon as I do you settle down and fall asleep.  Unfortunately you flail your arms in your sleep so we tend to not get as much!  After those adjustment days you've done great!!  You have been sleeping consistently in the pack and plays which makes me so happy.  You have proven that you do not need the swing to sleep and can sleep on your back.  I think moving into your room is in your future!

You are still sleeping longer stretches.  Five is still normal but you have been throwing in some 7 hour nights which just makes this mama smile!

3 months

This Week: You were amazing on the plane ride!  You smiled at the people as they passed you and loved looking at all the commotion.  You had some slight issues with your ears but were fine as soon as you started to suck on something.  For the most part you slept through the flights.  We were so proud!

We also loved showing you off to family and friends.  You did really well with being passed around and for the most part didn't fuss too much.

Mama and Mara

Baby Likes: You love your  play gym and being on your back this week.  You like having some time on your own to kick and grab at toys.  You consistently reach for your ball rattle and have figured out how to shake it to make noise.  You love kicking and batting at the toys in the gym.

Buddy still amazes you.  You follow him with your eyes and are amazed at how he feels different than the rest of you.

All smiles

Milestones: You have officially rolled over!  You will roll from your belly to your back.  Mama was just so
proud of you when you figured it out.  You are already trying to go from your back to your belly and get so frustrated when you can't.  That right arm is still giving you issues but as soon as you learn to tuck it you will roll right over!

You are reaching for toys on your own and have discovered how to manipulate them with your hands.  The other morning I caught you  just staring at your hands while you slowly opened and closed your fist.  Your arm movements are also more coordinated and purposeful.

You laughed for the first time!!  Your daddy was being super silly and bouncing you.  You let out the cutest giggle.  We haven't heard it since but maybe we're just not funny enough for you.

You did great on your first plane ride which is great because mama and daddy love to travel.  You sat great on our laps and loved just checking everything out.  We really only had a few mishaps and that was solely the result disposable diapers and poop explosions (man did I miss my cloth!).

My favorite Christmas present

Best of Times: Seeing family and letting them meet Mara for the first time.  It was so nice to be with family over the holidays.

Worst of Times: I'd have to say its a tie between the two night transitions at each place and the poop explosions on the plane.  Both rattled mama a bit.