Dear Andromeda - 2 months

Dearest Andromeda,

God surely knew I would have my hands full with an addition of a fourth child to this family. I believe whole heartedly that is why he sent me you. The saying God only gives you what you can handle is completely applicable here. He gave me the sweetest little blessing in you. You are the easiest baby. There is always something going on around you, yet you are so lax and chill. You are easy to read and tend to be quite predictable with your day to day tendencies and schedule.

Milestones/Special Firsts:
*My did you grow this past month. At your 2 month appointment you were 14 lbs 1 oz and 25 and 1/4 inches long. We saw Dr. Marsho this time and he shared you were over the 98th percentile in height and in the 95th percentile for weight.

*You laughed for the first time.  Daddy may have been one of the last ones to crack a smile out of you, but he was indeed the first one to get you to laugh. He was standing in the fireplace room and kept bopping you up and down. You really thought that was funny!

*You had your first trip to the beach. We went to Nagawaukee one steamy hot afternoon.  When we first arrived, the beach was way too crowded and with Covid still in full effect here we did not feel comfortable going. We explained this to your brothers and sister and they were really disappointed. We drove over to Target and daddy ran in to get us fun water toys to play with in the yard instead. I nursed you and we headed on home. On the way, we drove past the beach again and it had cleared out so we unloaded the van and spent a couple hours hanging out. You watched your siblings play from the bluff and then took a lovely afternoon snooze.

*You went to your first superbikes races at Road America! You spent most of the day snoozing in the van on mommy & Nonee listening to the hum of the bikes zoom by.

*First 4th of July! Many of the surrounding areas cancelled their fireworks this year due to Covid. Hartland indeed had theirs, but the park was so packed we didn't want to risk being around a big crowd. We drove to a surrounding neighborhood, parked the van and watched from the back of the van. Your brother bought bean bags and blankets to snuggle under (and attempt to hide from the mosquitos). You watched with Daddy. Even though it was late, you were wide awake and seemed enthralled. The actual 4th we hung out at Aris and Dayne's house. It was such a relaxing low key day.  The kids played in Ivy's kiddy pool, the adults chatted, and Auntie Dayne made her delicious buffalo sliders. Here you are relaxing with Nonee.

Things You Like Right Now:
*Bubbles! Whenever you are in your happy place, your little legs are kicking away and you are spitting bubbles. So much so, that "Bubbles" has become your nickname.

*Sleep! You are sleeping through the night swaddled. We put you down between 8 and 9 p.m. and you typically sleep straight through until about 6 a.m. or so.
*You love the outdoors. You oftentimes nap outside on a blanket or in your stroller. You also enjoy hikes, even when it is 90 degrees and we put you in the carrier (sweaty chests...sorry).

*Cousin time. We're officially 8 weeks in a row of spending a weekend day with your cousin Ivy. The two of you already have a special relationship hanging out together.  I imagine you'll forever be best of friends.  Papou even worked on a decal design for you, "Tutti & Bubbles."

Your Current Dislikes:
* I needed to call daddy over for this one as I was struggling. We both cannot think of anything!

Your Siblings:
*Many things have been cancelled this summer, but soccer has just started phasing back in with different levels of play. Since we've been home for so long we found ourselves saying yes to almost every opportunity that we were offered, which means we have spent many days running around to soccer for both Ari and Elle. Leo even has a camp later this month. Your favorite soccer venue is Ian Bennett's house as both Ari and Elle have training sessions there in the afternoons. You like watching (for a few minutes) and listening to Ian's music. After that, it's the perfect setting in the shade for an afternoon nap. I'm thinking you're dreaming of playing one day too!
*On most days Ari and Elle argue over who gets to hold you or lay on the bed with you. They definitely crave their solo time with you, so sharing your attention is not an option.

*Buckwheat is your BFF. He follows you where ever you go and lays beside you. Whether it is tummy time, sitting in the bouncer, laying on a blanket outside...Buck is there. He loves you so much and I'm so glad you have some time with him.

Your Daddy:
*One of your Daddy's favorite times of the day is the early morning hours with you. You usually wake up around 6:00 and nurse. Then mommy goes back to sleep and you go downstairs with your dad. You help him make coffee and play (imagine your legs kicking and bubbles around your mouth) for about an hour. Then a wave of exhaustion hits you and you decide you want to sleep just a bit more, just like your mama. You snuggle with Daddy on the couch and wait for your brothers and sister to wake up one by one and join you downstairs.
*Daddy's chest is one of your favorite places to nap.

Father's Day Mountain Biking Trip

Your Mommy:
*I'm feeling more and more like myself again postpartum here. There have been a few times where I've needed to take all four of you somewhere by myself. The thought is intimidating, but I've found myself gaining confidence each time I do it.
*I look forward to nursing you every three hours as this is my time to escape the chaos of the day to day and just be with you. I've adjusted well to using the phrase "Go ask your dad," during these nursing windows.

*One of my favorite times with you (and I have many of them) is bath time. You've graduated to taking baths in the big girl tub and you are just so captivated by the whole experience.

#momlife

#momlife

I love you so much sweet girl. Excited to see what month 3 brings! 

Love, 

Mommy

Dear Andromeda - 1 month

Dear Andromeda,

How are you 1 month old already?!? Even though we've been home nearly every day this month, the time has flown by. Life is even more perfect with you in it!

Milestones/Special Firsts:
*At your 2 week check up you passed your birth weight (8 lbs 13 oz). This was such a relief as you had lost quite a bit (11%) while waiting for mommy's milk to come in.

*1 month stats: 11 lbs 7 oz and 23.5 inches. Dr. Richer said you were in the 98th percentile for both height & weight. You grew quite a bit in two weeks! Mommy and Daddy got the okay from Dr. Richer now allow you to sleep through the night.

 1 month old today!

*You took your first road trip! We went to the Driftless Area for a few days. Nonee and Papou rented us a cabin. You relished in the sunshine, fresh air and greenery. One day we drove to see the Mississippi River and joked that you were the first baby of ours to go out of state so young. We drove into Iowa!

*You lost your belly button on Day 12. This resulted in your sister begging me daily to give you a bath (as we were waiting for that to fall off). Prior to this, you've only had spot baths.

First spot bath

*Social Distance City! Many of your family members came to visit you...outdoors! Because of Covid, we are continuing to social distance, which means we stayed at least 6 feet apart from our dear family that came to visit. Your family gazed at you from afar and continue to look forward to that day that they can hold you for the first time. We did add Uncle Aris, Auntie Dayne and Ivy to our circle this month. They are practicing the same social distancing practices that we are so we felt comfortable extending our circle. Here you are meeting them for the first time!

Things You Like Right Now:
*You like to sleep in late in the mornings. You wake up to nurse around 5:30 a.m. and after that you go right back to sleep amongst the rest of the family getting up, having breakfast and getting our days going.

*You like to be held & snuggled as much as possible. With five other family members in the house and frequent Nonee and Papou visits, you're snuggled most of the day. In fact, Nonee and Papou stayed with us the first three weeks. Someone is always begging to hold you.

*PHFB front porch hangs. Need I say more?!

*You love stroller rides around the neighborhood.

Your Current Dislikes:
*I'd have to say the carseat. You're fine when the van is moving, but if we stop somewhere for an errand, you're sure to cry. This may directly connect with one of your "likes" of being held constantly. I have a feeling you just want to get out of that car seat and into someones arms.

Van is moving here, which means you're okay! 

Your Siblings:
*Your first month of life was surrounded by virtual schooling. Ari and Elle spent every morning logged on to the computer to complete their online schooling. They were always begging to sit next to you while completing their school work or Zooms.

*Ari seems to have the big brother special touch. He is very good at calming you down while you're fussy or cranky waiting to eat. He leans down and talks to you and is his silly self, which at least distracts you from being upset for a little while. Ari even changed a few of your diapers this month!

*Elle is in big sister heaven. She loves to just sit (for hours) holding and snuggling you. She's always begging me to hold you. In fact, there are a few times where I have told her no as I wanted a turn to hold you!

Such a mini-mama 

*Leo is a busy 3 year old right now. But he always checks in with you at least once a day. He leans over and says, "Hi Meda. It's your big brother," in the just the sweetest little voice.

Your Daddy:
*Daddy has relished his first month as a dad of 4! Still can't believe I'm saying that, as in 4. He's been able to come with to all of your appointments. In fact, the days you have appointments ends up being a "date day out" with me. In these days of covid, they are our only days away. Spending a little time away with just you is a delight.
*The first few weeks with a newborn always seems like a breeze with Daddy. He got up with me for every feeding and/or pump session throughout the night. He changed you and made sure mommy was hydrated. I couldn't have asked for a better husband.
*Daddy also spent a lot of time keeping your older siblings active. He held daily spring training days, which consisted of soccer, running and biking. It won't be long before he has you in the driveway working on your touches.

Your Mommy:
*I always wondered what many other moms were talking about when they told me I would 'just know' when I was done (having kids). After Leo was born I found myself searching for this feeling and it surely wasn't there.  Now that you are here, I do feel that our family is 100% complete. You are the ray of sunshine that makes our life picture perfect.

My first Mother's Day with all of you 💗

*I wish I could snuggle you like this for every moment of every day. I still wake up each morning truly pinching myself. I am so relieved you are here, in my arms, safe and sound. I love you so much baby girl. You make our entire world go round.

Love,

Your Mommy