A Bride In Boots (and a baby): October 2011

Oh Maggie, I cannot believe you are two months old! So many people say the first two months are the hardest physically due to lack of sleep, breastfeeding, etc., but I've found that they are definitely the most emotionally rewarding as well. I am so smitten with you, and am trying my best to sear all of these sweet moments with you into my memory, as they are going by so fast. I look back over the hundreds (literally) of pictures we have taken of your first two months of life, and you have changed so much already. I love seeing what new thing you'll do next!

I feel like I finally hit my stride on the mom thing around 6 weeks with the whole where-do-you-find-time-to-do-anything-other-than-stare-at-your-child routine. I woke up one day recently and realized I was halfway through my maternity leave before I go back to work part-time. Don't think I didn't hug you a little tighter that day. Being home with you these first months has been pure bliss. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, and I am so thankful I took as much time as I did to enjoy seeing the world through your beautiful blue-green eyes and didn't rush back to work. Best decision I ever made, other than marrying your daddy.

Speaking of, let me just tell you how crazy your daddy is about you. I knew the moment he met you in the hospital and had those big tears in his eyes that you had him wrapped, but you've managed to melt him even more over these first few weeks. I used to make fun of him and call him the Tinman because of how little emotion he would show, but you have come along and started to change all that. He loves to kiss us both before he leaves for work (he says sometimes we're even sleeping in the same position), call and check and see "how his girls are doing" throughout the day, and most of all, come home after a long day's work and scoop you up in his arms for some "Maggie time." He has a position he likes to put you in where you stare right in his eyes, with your arms hanging loosely by your side, and you get all relaxed and comfy and it looks like you feel completely secure. And you should, sweet baby, because he works his tail off for us. That's how I get to shop for you all the time. :)

Life with you is better than I could have ever imagined. Truly. You have turned our world upside down, but it is a more beautiful and complete world because you are here.

So let's see your stats, shall we?

Weight: 10 lbs, 7 oz. We're in the double digits! Your dad and I made a bet on what your weight would be at your 2 month appointment, and what a surprise to see you surpass both of our guesses! This put you in the 50th percentile, up from the 15th percentile at your 2 week visit. The doctor was very proud of you, and so was I! I believe we've finally gotten the hang of breastfeeding, and thankfully, it seems to be working!

Height: 23 inches (75th percentile - you must get that height from your dad and not me)

Look what a good patient you are!

Clothes: 0-3 months. I had to pack up all of your sweet, tiny newborn clothes after finally realizing how hard it was getting to get them over your head when I change you. I'm not afraid to admit it tugged on my heart a little to put them away.

Eye color: Dark bluish-green. They still could turn brown like mine, but I'm hoping they'll be hazel like your dad's!

Doctor's orders: I was dreading our two month check-up a little, since I knew you were getting those first immunization shots and I had a sneaking suspicion I would cry just as much as you did. Turns out I was right. It broke my heart to see you smiling and cooing the whole time, and then have you let out the saddest cry when they poked you. Dad took off work to go with us and be my moral support, which I definitely needed. You were fine by the time we got out to the car, but I could hardly put you down the rest of the afternoon! Made me so thankful for your health - I simply cannot imagine what some parents go through like those in the NICU, seeing their children hurt. I thank God everyday how happy and healthy you are.

Biggest accomplishment: That first big, beautiful smile! Oh, my heart just melted into a little pool on the floor when you flashed it at me. You are so happy after your first feeding in the morning, and the minute I'm done nursing you, you look up at me and give me the sweetest grin. You're also holding your head up now, and trackings lots of things with your eyes. You love the polka dots on your carseat, and the birds on your mobile in the snugabunny seat. And best of all, you are STILL a sensational sleeper! Once we got the doctor's orders to let you go at night and not wake you every three hours, you've gotten into a routine in these last few weeks of going to bed around 11 pm, and you usually sleep until 6 or 7 am! Those are the same hours we had before you arrived - how thoughtful you are to let us continue and keep them! Finally, your dad would probably say it was a big accomplishment to move you into the guest room. We did that right before your two month birthday, and though I hated having you across the hall, I have been quite proud of how well you have done in there. I don't think you even notice the train that runs practically in our backyard. Perhaps our biggest accomplishment this month was having our first date night, and leaving you with your favorite babysitter, Katy. Your dad and I were invited by one of his clients to see Sheryl Crow play a private concert at the Ryman, and we got all gussied up and had a date. I only texted Katy twice to check on you, which I thought was completely justified. You did great for her but I couldn't wait to get my hands on you when we got home!

How we spend our day: I've decided that this was hands-down the best time to have a baby. The weather has been so perfect for our neighborhood strolls, and you still seem to love being outside and feeling the fresh air - sometimes it instantly calms you. I have loved seeing summer turn into fall with you, and especially enjoy seeing the changing leaves, the arrival of pumpkin spice lattes, and the start of football with new eyes - it's been so nice to stop and slow down rather than go, go, go all the time. Your'e good for me like that.

Likes: Early mornings playing in the bed with mom and dad - your favorite time to smile! Also, i've discovered you love polka dots - on my padded armrest on your carseat, on the nursery curtains, anywhere you can find them! You still seem to like being swaddled, though sometimes you'll bust out and we'll find you with your arms up by your head in the morning. Your new favorite position is being held over my shoulder - I love it because you just fit right into the crook of my neck, and I can kiss the top of your fuzzy little head.

Dislikes: Bathtime, though you seem to be warming up to it, slowly but surely. You're also not a fan of being woken up, having your diaper changed, and being put on your tummy for tummy time...but really, who would enjoy those things?

Trips You've Taken: What a traveler you have been this month! We've gone to visit both sets of grandparents on back-to-back weekends, first to Virginia (a 9 hour car ride that usually takes 6) and then to Alabama. If anything, you're teaching us that we can't plan like we used to, as the on-the-road nursing and changing stops you need dictate our arrival these days. We've also had the Turman family come visit us, and it was so much fun having all of your cousins ooh and aah over you. You've also gone to your first football game, seeing Vanderbilt defeat Ole Miss, though we only came for the last quarter.

I didn't want to push my luck, but you slept just about the whole time. We also took you to church for the first time, and even to brunch afterward at our new favorite spot, The Garden Brunch Cafe. I got the Bananas Foster pancakes, which were to DIE for. Better enjoy eating things like that while I'm nursing and burning those calories!

Uncle Chris and Aunt Treva came to visit you over Labor Day Weekend

Mimi came too and covered you in kisses!

Logan, McKenzie and Lucas all wanted to hold you

You and your handsome daddy after church at the Garden Brunch Cafe

Cousin Audrey holding you for the first time

Granddad was a big fan of your gameday outfit

Perfectly at ease with your namesake, Aunt Margaret

Your first time meeting your Uncle Andrew

Sweetest Moment: Without a doubt, that first ear-to-ear smile. I will do just about anything I can to get it out of you because it absolutely melts me. And thankfully, you love to give it! Sometimes, I'll even get a coo or a giggle to go along with it - I think it's your way of saying you love me too. :)

Here's a sneak peek of the next post - Maggie's first photo shoot!

And after that, I've got to do a recap of her labor and delivery story. I must get it down before I forget the details! Let's just say that it was not according to plan (as in no time for an epidural), but worked out absolutely perfectly. From moment one, Maggie has been full of surprises!