Milestones: One Month

You are now:
10lbs 13oz and 22" long. They told me your head circumference too...but it's not exactly one of those things people go around bragging about, so I promptly forgot it. Sorry!

The past month as been a rollercoaster in ever sense of the word (thankfully though, you're the only one that has thown up). Each day is a mix of highs and lows as we deal with the triumphs and trials of raising our sweet little Piper Jane. We love you lots...but man, you are already giving us a run for our money. Here's a snippet (ok, a novel...) of the one month version of you:

• You don't really love being cradled or held facing out. You much prefer to be snuggled up chest to chest most of the time, which is fine by me- I could lay like that with you forever. And though you are undeniably a BIG baby, when you cuddle up, you pull your legs in as close to your body as you can, and stick your bum out. It makes you look teeny tiny- and irresistibly adorable.
• You are a loud sleeper, making snorts and snores and pants throughout the night. Occasionally you'll even let out a scream, that makes us think you're waking up, but then you'll go right back to sleep without flinching.
• You made it through your first two weeks without ever needing to be burped, luring us into a false sense of security when it came to spit up issues. So it came a s big surprise when you barfed all over your dad. At the time we thought it was pretty funny (Daddy is a good sport) but then you scared the crap out of us when you threw up again- this time when you were laying on your back. It went all over your face, and I was afraid you were choking, and started to panic. I cried as a scooped you up and tried to comfort you. We got you a quick bath, and you were ok (you even wanted to eat again), but we were a little shaken up. it was so out of character for you and as new parents we are sensitive to your ever little sniffle, so we were off to the doctor the next day. He determined you were just fine, but since then you've been a gassy little bundle- we have to burp you multiple times each time you eat, and despite our best efforts, you still manage to spit up about once a day. Maybe someday I'll get used to it, but for now I live in constant fear of the puke. You seem to be fine with it, but I hate to see you sick (and ok, I also hate to be thrown up on).
• You are still a champion of face making- my personal favorite is when you close your eyes, purse your lips, and raise your eyebrows tipping your head back. You tippically reserve this one for the moment when you decide you've had enough to eat. I'll have to snap a picture of it, because its absolutely charming. But you have plenty of other signature expressions- your frowny lip is unrivaled, I know you'll pull that one out later when you want to get your way (and it'll probably work!) and you've become known for your "frump face" which includes an adorable little brow furrow.
• You are indifferent to a pacifier. We waited a month to offer you one, hoping it would help you settle into breastfeeding (which you are great at...more on that later.) but now you can't really be bothered with it. Daddy really wants you to take to it for some reason, so he keeps trying...
• You took a bottle this week! We held off on this for a month too, but as soon as you hit the four week mark, we gave it a shot. After a horrendously long drive to Columbus, we took a shot and your Dad attempted to give you your very first bottle. You took right to it with no hesitation, and I almost cried tears of joy. No offense- but it was just sooo nice to have a little break for your constant meal schedule. And your Dad was so excited to care for you...it was precious to watch you guys cuddled up together. Unfortunately you freaked out after about an ounce and demanded that I feed you through a more familiar method. But since that first attempt you've taken two more bottles without a peep. Your dad was thrilled- he was a little hurt by your initial refusal- and I'm looking forward to a bit more freedom for all of us.
• You are an excellent nurser. You took to breastfeeding without issue from day one (literally hour one) and have been fattening up ever since. Last week we went to a lactation consultant just to see if there was anything we could learn, or do better, but she reassured me that you were a natural (and tried to convince me to feed you in public as often as possible, because looked beautiful together.)
• You like to be shushed. Whenever you're freaking out (which isn't all that often compared to the horror stories I've heard from other parents) we can usually calm you down with some rocking and some loud shhhh's in your ear. Sometimes we play your "Sleep Sheep" noise machine when you have trouble going to sleep...but you don't seem to have an opinion on that either way.
• You're beautiful. And that's not just our opinion! Several people have told us how cute you are- following it with comments on how they "really mean it! not all babies are cute!" Today at Target the cashier said you "look just like a doll baby", and a grandma at Giant Eagle thought you were "such a beautiful baby boy" (don't take it personally- that's my fault for dressing you in all neutral clothes).
• You have the softest skin, and a smelly little head (in a good way) that I have to hold myself back from kissing all day.
• You will announce a wet diaper with an ear piercing wail, the instant the pee hits the cloth. We're contemplating switching to disposable diapers because you actually ruin naps because you can't stand to be wet for even an instant. Who would have thought that after all the questions and concerns I had about cloth diapers (and there were many), you'd find a way to thwart my efforts with something I had never considered.
• Your hair has two options: Muppet or Grease. It looks cute for about an hour after your bath- all fluffy and light, but then it quickly gets matted down to your head, looking dark and greasy. I'm hoping this is a temporary issue due to how short your baby-fine hair is, but your dad and I didn't exactly give you the best follicular genes, so don't get your hopes up.
• You have a love/hate relationship with the car. It pretty much comes down to the fact that you want to be moving at all times. You hate being put in your carrier but once you get settled (i.e. someone picks it up and swings it around a bit) you'll sleep in it for hours (as long as someone rocks it occasionally). And you are a car riding champ- as long as we never. stop. moving. We somehow manage to get ever light when riding around town with you, and you make your displeasure known. And somehow you'll make it through three hours of highway driving without a problem, but the minute we hit traffic- oh no thank you.
• You are a good sport with our incessant photo taking. Because it is indeed incessant. But can you blame us for wanting to capture your every adorable move?

Oh Piper P (something I've inexplicably taken to calling you)- I could go on and on and on (even more than I already did!) I just want to remember every little detail of your tiny beginnings. You are a challenge. And a delight. We haven't even begun to figure you out, and sometimes I think you may have to be more patient with us than we are with you. But we're getting settled into this brand new family you've built with us. I can't say that I adore every minute with you...but I do adore you, and always will.