My Dearest Little - One Month Letter

My dearest little Caleb,

I honestly can't believe that you are already over a month old.  This first month has been home to a ton of emotions for me, and I assume you as well.

We started out your life quite differently than we planned. I was devastated that I didn't get to hold you until you were almost 3 hours old and yet so in love that it all changed the moment I did get to hold you.  We stayed, with Daddy, in the hospital for three days and then got to go home.

Our first night home was interesting.  Your grandma stayed with us and you took your first bottle. I was terrified being home with you that night.  I kept checking to make sure you were breathing while laying next to us in your rocker. You weren't sleeping for anything and I was super frustrated, but looking back I know that it was just supposed to be that way.

The next night your Mima stayed the night and helped mommy emotionally so much. We gave you your first bath at home, in the kitchen sink, and you hated it. I know it is because you were cold due to not being able to have water on you because of your cord and I don't blame you little one. I hate being cold too!  You, once again, didn't want to sleep and Mima stayed with me on the couch while we tried everything imaginable.

When you were 4 days old we went to the doctors for your first appointment. We met your pediatrician and fell in love with her! We got your blood taken, once again, to check your jaundice levels. We enjoyed our day with Daddy and then had our first night alone with you. To say we were scared is probably an understatement, at least for me - your Daddy is a superhero and gets me through most days. We figured out a bedtime routine and we were so in love with you, our precious angel.

Routine:
7:30pm - get pajamas on
8:00pm - have night time bottle with Daddy
8:30pm - lay down in rocker and sleep until somewhere between 2 and 3:30 am
Nurse and go back to sleep within an hour
Wake up between 6 and 7 am

Over the next week we got your blood drawn a few more times, twice in 1 day even because of a "mix up at the lab" and I was so thrilled to hear that after a week of testing your levels went down enough that we wouldn't have to do it again. We had our first days alone together when Daddy went back to work.  Mima came and hung out with us and we tried to get on a daytime routine.

Your umbilical cord fell off while we were changing your diaper when you were 7 days old. Okay, so maybe "fell off" isn't the correct term. We were standing there changing your cute little butt when we notice, that after some blood had been getting on your onesies for a day or so, that your cord was dangling there. I started to panic and called Mima. She told me to have Daddy pull it off like a tooth. After analyzing the situation Daddy decided that he wouldn't pull it, but rather cut it. Lol. It came off easy breezy and the next night you had your first real bath and loved it.

You had your first photo shoot when you were 8 days old.  We went to the AH-MAZING Lisa's house and had your newborn photos done.  You decided that that was going to be the day that you would stay awake for 3 hours straight.  Luckily, we got some great photos out of it though :)

At 12 days old you went to my work and got to meet everyone there, most importantly Heather :) everyone awed over you and I was one proud mama.

We had your two week check up and you successfully gained all of your birth weight back and then some. We had a great routine going and you were sleeping for 6 hours straight at your bedtime. Mommy and Daddy couldn't have been more excited.

When you were 16 days old we got ambitious and decided to road trip it halfway across the country and go see your Auntie, Uncle and cousin. To say we should have flown with Daddy is the understatement of the year.  You were the best little road tripper. You only woke up twice each day and we made great time considering we were nursing.  You can now tell people that you have already been to 4 states before you were 1 month old :) we stayed for a week and your Auntie, Uncle and cousin were so happy to meet you.

Now that we are home, your routine is all messed up but we are slowly getting one established again. You are growing so fast and while I don't want you to ever grow up, I also can't wait for you to hit all of your milestones.

You are almost completely unable to wear newborn onesies anymore. You are getting too long for them, which is a problem only in the fact that 0-3 month clothes are way too wide on you. Do they make Big and Tall onesies for newborns? Because that is what we need! Lol. You have gained 1 pound and 11 ounces and have grown almost 2 whole inches! We all assume that you will be tall like your Daddy, which I'm not complaining about because I love how tall he is.

You eat like it is going out of style and you let everyone and their Mama know when you are hungry. You love to nap on anyone's chest and take a solid 4 hour nap in the middle of the day like clockwork.  You absolutely L.O.V.E. your changing table, although not while you are getting changed. It is the silliest thing and we wish we could leave you on there because you are so happy, but unfortunately we cannot.

You hate being swaddled. I guess I should just clarify that you hate having your arms constricted. You love being swaddled as long as you have free range with your arms. You must sleep with your hands covered because you tend to claw yourself in your sleep. You are like your Daddy and want your hands touching your face at night.

You smile constantly and while everyone will say it is just gas, I swear you know what you are doing. It is the cutest thing ever and I'll continue to stick up for your superior genius-ness.  You think that you are a big boy and try to stand on your own and hold your head up anytime we try to burp you. Oh speaking of burping, you absolutely hate it!  You will not burp for me for anything and everyone else gets you to burp but not until after you cry as though they are pulling your hair out. After you sneeze you make the cutest noise EVER and we are still trying to get it on video so that we never forget it. Wish us luck!

Caleb Tyler, you are the best thing that has ever happened to us and we love you so much. We can't wait to see how you continue to grow and learn.

I love you forever and for always little one.