Brielle at 2 months!

Dear Brielle,
You are two months old today!!!  I still remember the day you were born like it was yesterday, yet as your Grandma pointed out, it feels like you have been with us forever.  I feel like you are so much bigger than you were when you were born!  You're getting bigger and bigger by the hour, it seems.  Your hair has grown a lot and amazingly hasn't fallen out like your brothers did.  It stands straight up and is about an inch and a half tall.  That's the first thing that everyone who meets you comments on... how much hair you have for a newborn.

You are an absolute joy, Brielle.  An absolute joy.  You really couldn't be a better baby.  When we traveled to Austin for Tito Tommy and Tita Kathryn's wedding, you slept the whole way on the plane.  When we were there, you started sleeping  7 hours in a row at night and you've kept that up at home, sometimes sleeping 10 or 11 hours at a time!  Last night, you slept from 10 to 7:30!!!  The night before, you slept from 6:30 to 5:15 and again from 6:15 to 10:30.  You sleep a LOT.  A LOT.  Several people have suggested that's your way of dealing with the crazy energy of your brothers.  I think you're just a super good baby.

You drink 5oz bottles about 5 or 6 times a day, but you just used up your last 4oz liner and we're going to start the big bottles with you next!  You've been downing 5 oz for the past few days, so we're going to bump you up to 6oz. You're getting thigh rolls and it's SUPER cute on you. :)

You LOVE bathtime.  Love it.  You smile the whole time you're in there.  My little water baby.  You also smile ALLL the time when you're awake.  Any time mommy or daddy comes over and looks at you, you smile.  You crinkle your nose up when you smile...it's the cutest thing ever.  You are the smiliest, happiest baby I've ever seen.

You definitely love being held, but you are also super content to be put down.  You love laying next to your crib and still delight in looking at the netting on the side of the crib.  You sometimes can stay there for an hour, just looking around, happy.  You also enjoy hanging out in your crib, looking at the walls, and I'll sometimes walk by to discover that you've woken up from your nap and are just looking around.  You don't mind tummy time and will put up with it for a good ten minutes before you start to fuss.  Your neck is SUPER strong and you can lift your head VERY high in tummy time.  We always let you take your naps on your belly (cause you love it and sleep sooo much better) and when we transfer you, you usually lift your head and turn it from left to right and back about 15 times before you settle on a side you want.  You've started moving sideways in the crib and no matter how we place you down, you ALWAYS end up in the top right corner or perpendicular (you still fit!) in the middle.

You rarely EVER spit up.  Thanks for that.  You're still in size one diapers, and you pee a LOT, so I have to change you a lot.  You never fuss during diaper changes, though, and are super easy to change (especially compared to how your brothers were!).  You can still squeeze into a few of the larger newborn outfits, but on the whole you are transitioning to 3month clothes.  You have your 2 month doc appointment tomorrow and I'm curious to see how much you weigh.  I can still hold you comfortably in one arm, but you are nowhere near as light as you once were.

Your brothers ADORE you and love giving you kisses.  Eli calls you "Bielle" (leaving out the R) and calls himself your protector.  He is very good with you and is always looking out for you.  he's very understanding when you need to be fed or taken care of and is pretty good about waiting until I finish taking care of you.  Liam LOVES laying next to you, and for the past week or so likes to roll you on your side in a big bear hug.  He also loves hugging you but doesn't understand that it's NOT ok to lay on TOP of you while doing so.  He has no idea that he's so much stronger than you are.  He loves brushing your hair and trying to share his food with you.  He also comes over quite a bit to try to put toys in your hand.  He doesn't yet understand that you're too little to hold onto things.

You HATE being in the car, especially when it's stopped.  We're taking our first trip to Maryland next week (a four hour trip!), so we'll see how that goes!

You are an absolute joy, my love.  Thanks for being such a GREAT baby!

Love,
Mommy