A Mother's Love

You always hear "you will never understand a Mother's love until you are one yourself". It's true. I've ALWAYS known my Mom has an unconditional love for me, not only because she tells me but because she shows me! There's been several times she's said "You'll never know how much I love you". Now that I'm a Mommy to Hollis I get that and have a taste of the love my Mom has for me...it really is something you just can't describe. A Mother's love is so many things but my favorite thing that it is, is comforting. From infant hood to adult hood there is NOTHING more comforting than your Mother's touch or voice.

The past 2 nights my Mom spent the night with Hollis and I while Ryan was out of town for work. It was great having her here and spending some quality time with her. She slept with me in our bed and that was so sweet. We haven't done that since I was kid and I felt so much comfort having her beside me! I don't sleep easy on my own when Ryan is out of town, especially since having Hollis! I'm still tackling that fear.

I'm so glad Hollis got get some MiMi lovin'. I'm sure being a Grandmother is a different kind of love...maybe a greater love? Is that possible?

Play Date!

Yesterday, Hollis had a play date with Jase and Sophia. Jase is the son of Danielle and Sophia is the daughter of Larissa. Larissa, Danielle and I were pregnant at the same time, and the babes were all born within 3 weeks of each other! Throughout our entire pregnancy and to this day, the 3 of us text on a group chain almost every day! It's been so helpful to have friends to journey with through this pregnancy. We share MANY stories, celebrate milestones together and serve as each others cheerleaders when one needs it. I am so THANKFUL for these girls!

Right now our little ones are on slightly different schedules so I wasn't able to get a picture of the 3 of them OR Miss Sophia. I stole Danielle's iPhone photo of Sophia though for proof that she really was there! ha!

Hollis LOVED Danielle. She just smiled and stared at her while Danielle talked to her. So sweet!

Story Time

There is nothing sweeter than story time. Today we swaddle Hollis and bring her in for cuddles for story time...before we know it though, she will be crawling in our lap eager to read to us! Hollis has taught me to cherish every single moment, make memories and love like there is no tomorrow.

Mamarazzi

I am a total Mamarazzi. Hollis' first words may be "stop taking my picture", because I have a camera in her face a majority of the day! In my opinion, you can NEVER have enough pictures AND it's neat to look back over her 9 weeks of life and see how much she has already changed.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from today.

2 Months Old!

Hollis Leigh is 2 months old today!
Below is her 1 month summary...

12 lb. 1/5 oz--- 79th percentile
22 1/2 inches long--- 56th percentile
15 inches head circumference---35th percentile

Hollis is a great night sleeper! She sleeps from about 10-10:30 PM to 5:00 AM (with me waking her up for feeding). I would let her sleep longer, but the pediatrician said not to let her go past 6 hours between feedings at this age.

She still loves cuddling on Mommy's chest. When she's able, I think she will be a belly sleeper!

We started a new routine of Daddy giving baths at night. It's a special time for them and I love watching!

We also started reading nightly to Hollis before bed while we get those last cuddles in for the night.

Hollis is holding her head up like a champ! She is still learning to love tummy time but does great for about 10 minutes before she's had enough.

In the evenings while I cook, I put Hollis in her Snug-A-Bunny bouncer so she can watch me around the kitchen. I turn on some music and will dance and sing to keep her entertained. She loves when I get close and sing to her.

Her "witching hour" is around 7:30-8:00. She usually looses her cool and takes a while to calm down. That cry will break your heart...she just hits a point of exhaustion and hasn't figured out that all she has to do is just close those eyes! ha!

We had our first playdates this month with Ella and Noah, and then with Cousins Bella, Farrah and Julianne.

Hollis found her hands and loves chewing on them.

Naps during the day are getting better. I've figured out that after about a hour and a half of feeding/awake time she is ready to go down for a nap. At that time, I bring her upstairs, swaddle her, and then read and rock her until she is drowsy. Once she gets that drowsy look, I lay her down in her swing. She naps best in her swing and will sleep anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

Due to my low supply of breast milk, she is only getting about half an ounce to a full ounce from me. So, Hollis is still nursing with Mommy and then taking 3 oz of formula.

Hollis' hair has started falling out but she has some beautiful blonde hair coming in!

Her sister-kitty, Maggie is becoming more curious of Hollis. Maggie will lay down beside her activity mat and also hop up on the couch to sniff her sisters head.

Hollis LOVES laying on her activity mat. She will talk and kick her legs the entire time she is on there. I love watching her get excited!

Hollis had her 2 month vaccines today. She had 2 shots in her legs and an oral medicine. She loved the taste of the oral medicine. The nurse said it was very sweet but that most babies do not like it...Hollis couldn't get enough! I guess she has a sweet tooth like her Mama! It was pitiful watching her get the shots in her legs! The nurse had me hold her hands and it broke my heart watching that sweet face bust out in tears. She cried for about 5 minutes and then calmed down when we snuggled her. We LOVE Hollis' pediatrician, Dr. Steele!

Dr. Steele said that Hollis' right side of her head is a little flat. She said it isn't anything to worry about at this point, but that we need to work on her laying/resting on her right side. Dr. Steel said to move her position in the crib at night so that what she looks at usually is on her right side. Hollis's low percentile in her head circumference was nothing to show concern of either, Dr. Steele said that head growth comes in spurts.

Sweet Cousins

Yesterday we had our first cousin play date! Katie and the girls came down for the day. We ate lunch and then headed to the pool for a little bit of sunshine! We could not have asked for better weather; it was not too hot and there was a constant breeze! Julianne and Hollis hung out in the shade while the big girls swam, slid down the slide and played with a butterfly! It was fun spending time with Katie and made me realize even more how blessed I am to have such WONDERFUL in-laws! Katie has always been my "go-to Mommy" for advice throughout my pregnancy and early days of Hollis' life. I am SO thankful for her. She is a super Mommy!

Whenever we get the girls together I can't help but think of all the fun times ahead! I'm most looking forward to Christmas with these cuties! I pray that Hollis and Julianne have a bond that is unbreakable!