anika is doing well. gaining weight and feeding like a little trooper. we have been home for a week now and are settling into our simple routine. things are becoming normal. which i thought would take much longer to say. she is growing. and changing. and h-kun and i are completely in love with her. our little sunshine.
i love fellow like minded bloggers. and other gals i met through my shop. who have been super encouraging along the way. i appreciate you more than you may know. thank you.
....................................................................................................
i bought a chair. from ikea. to take her monthly photos on. which was inspired by this amazing series. anika turned one month old on january 1st and i attempted some photos that day. i quickly learned that she doesn't like the chair as much as i do. and all the photos were of her screaming. i have attempted on sunday and a few today. but i am just not loving it. i may have to get a new chair. or a new idea. or just have a chat with anika and persuade her to cooperate once a month.
....................................................................................................
// one month //
your hair turned from black to brown // your eyes follow us // we call you pony-chan because of all your little noises // your eyes turned from a deep blue to a greyish brown // you love tummy time and look like you are crawling // you love having conversations with grandma good // when on your back on our lap your arms and legs keep moving // it looks like you are doing tai chi or trying to swim // you experienced your first christmas // you were asleep before midnight on your first new year's eve // you have skyped with your obachan and ojichan in japan many times // you are one of your cousin joelle's favorite people // we all lived with grandma good for two weeks // your dad and grandma helped to take good care of you // you have fluffy duck hair after your bath // you were friends with the lactation consultants // you feed much better // you love relaxing with your papa // you got your first cold // you cosleep with your mama // when swaddled you look like you are in a straight jacket // you got off formula supplementation // you are much calmer and more content // your bottom lip quivers when you are not happy // you sometimes give the peace sign while breast feeding // you get up on your little elbows while fall asleep on someone's shoulder // you don't like dairy, chocolate or brussel sprouts // you reach up and touch your papa's face // you sometimes smile when falling asleep //
She is beautiful! I'm so glad things are going better. Enjoy these days
Posted by: Diane Loehr | January 04, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Such beautiful observations- I am inspired to do something similar (lets see if inspiration translates into implementation). Oh yes, I have to steer clear of chocolate and caffine too! We're doing formula supplementation at night time at the moment- not too much, but helps ensure mama has some good rest. Best wishes for the next month.
ps- love the chair and photo
Posted by: Di | January 05, 2011 at 02:49 AM
My first was exactly the same way with foods - it does get easier and easier. It sounds like it's been an amazing month. What a great shot too.
Posted by: Jen | January 05, 2011 at 04:13 AM
So beautiful. While she may have had a hard time in the red chair, the photo is stunning.
Looking forward to more updates.
Posted by: Lisa Fine | January 05, 2011 at 06:57 AM
Gorgeous baby, great photo. And I love your way of keeping track of her early days--keep it up! I recently looked back through the log I kept when 2nd Child was an infant--she's nearly 17 now and it's astonishing how many of our early descriptions of her still fit today. Happy parenting to you!
Posted by: Nancy | January 05, 2011 at 08:39 AM
I didn't read about your feeding troubles until just now - our own little one arrived on the 11th of December, so I've been busy :) I just wanted to say that if you want (more) support on the feeding, feel free to email me - I went through the same thing with my first and it was the hardest thing I've ever gone through. Fortunately, all the hard work paid off and I ended up breastfeeding happily until he was 15 months. We've had some issues this time around too, but we're managing - although it still cost a few tears... Your girl is so beautiful, by the way. That hair!
Posted by: Anja | January 05, 2011 at 08:58 AM
oh I just love all of these sweet little things about your wee one. and she is just so cute. oh and I like the red chair.
Posted by: Sandra | January 05, 2011 at 11:19 AM
yup, tears in my eyes after reading this! so beautiful leslie, i am SO, SO happy for you!
(i owe you an email, i'm terrible. it's coming. i need to get my butt in gear..)
Posted by: kate | January 05, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Good for you for recording all these wonderful memories! I sure wish I had, but was in such a haze I didn't. Hope all is going smoother, sounds like it is. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kirsten | January 05, 2011 at 05:37 PM
Such a beautiful post! :)
Posted by: Emily | January 05, 2011 at 06:03 PM
She is so beautiful and growing so fast! I love your descriptions - so lovely.
Posted by: erin | January 05, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Beautiful!!!
Posted by: Rosa Navas | January 06, 2011 at 02:46 AM
That was one of the sweetest things I have ever read! I loved the list of things about her. What a wonderful memory for both her and you later in life.
Posted by: Bryanna | January 07, 2011 at 11:07 AM
this brought a tear to my eye. such beautiful words and memories. i've made random little lists about sam, too, each month. it makes me sad that i didn't for ella. they are such different babies. i wish i could remember more about when she was this tiny. our challenges got in the way a little. i love that you are documenting her first month with words and photos. and that things are becoming easier. and have i told you she is just the cutest?
Posted by: ali | January 08, 2011 at 11:51 PM
I cannot imagine women actually enjoying making them!sf
Posted by: Microsoft Outlook 2010 | December 16, 2011 at 06:32 PM