Catherine's First Month

As we know, time just flies when there's a new baby around.  Somehow, Catherine is 1 month old today!  Unbelievable!

Here's what we know about this little lady so far:
-Catherine loves to sleep most of the time, but is often wide awake from 9pm until 12:30am.  However, the last 2 nights, this hasn't been the case.  I'm hoping that means she has figured out her nights and days, but not banking on it quite yet.

-She's still not much of a cryer.  Her needs are pretty easily met--she squeals when she wants to eat, needs help falling asleep, or is working on dropping a deuce.  That's about it.

-She better get used to being teased by her brothers.  Matthew absolutely LOVES mocking her cry.  It's pretty hilarious.

-So far, she happily takes a bottle.  I am really hoping this continues!

-We are getting some smiles here and there, but I'm pretty sure they aren't intentional.  Hopefully that will change in the next few weeks--I'm a total sucker for those baby smiles!

-She's completely done with being swaddled and now sleeps in a normal blanket sleeper with her arms free.

-While doing tummy time last night, Catherine rolled over.  I assume it's a total fluke, but it was really cute to see her do it.

I have been on my own to manage the kids for 2 weeks now and I think we may be getting used to things (hope I don't jinx myself).  We are still getting meals delivered from friends a few days a week, which has been so helpful.  It's been such a blessing to slowly ease back into things and we are so thankful for all the help we've had.

Ok, and the fun part--pictures!!

Cute hat and pacifier!  Thank you Chantal and Phil! :)

Crib looks beautiful painted white. Thanks to my amazing husband for the hours of work!

Aww

Aww again.

Proud big brother!

Lots of time is spent doing this.  I'm obsessed with baby snuggles.

Catherine's usually the last one sleeping in the morning.  I usually bring her into bed for her last feeding of the night.

Baby Burrito--before she rejected the swaddle.

Funny face + Mohawk 

I have a thing for yawning pictures.

Good big bro

See? Yawning again.

Beautiful spring weather!

Whattup

Onesie gift from B's coworkers

She's totally oblivious to the view.

Getting chubby cheeks!

Mom & Catherine naptime!

Another gift from B's coworkers.

The whole fam--CHEESE!

Our first 10 days as a family of FIVE!

So far, Catherine is such a sweet baby.  She sleeps most of the time and gives a quick little yelp to let me know when she is ready to eat.  She's continued not being much of a cryer.  At night, she's been pretty dreamy so far.  She does 3 hour stretches most of the time, with a few 3.5-4hr stretches here and there. When she wakes, I feed her, change her, and put her back in her bassinet wide awake and swaddled and she falls back asleep on her own.  I can honestly say that I'm getting more sleep now than I was during the last few weeks of pregnancy.  Have I mentioned how much more I like babies on the outside?  So thrilled to not be pregnant anymore!

Lots of sleep and cuddle time: 

Hands folded in prayer. :)

So tiny!!

A 3rd thumb-sucker!

1 week old!

Sleep Smile

The boys both had a few days of being crazy when my mom first arrived to take care of us.  Andrew started talking baby talk a lot and Matthew decided that spilling flour and dumping the water from his humidifier were good ideas.  But, that's mellowed out now and they both seem used to having a new little person around.  I know the adjustments will continue happening as Catherine demands more attention while she grows, but am happy that the boys have shown nothing but love for her so far.  Andrew wants to hold her all the time and Matthew loves giving her kisses and saying "AWWW" every time he sees her or hears her.  They both love to give her kisses good night at bedtime.

Photo Shoot!

They love her!

Family Tummy Time!

Catherine had her first doctor's appointment this week.  The pediatrician was very impressed because she already passed her birth weight, which he said often doesn't happen until 2-3 weeks old.

We are so in love and cherishing every second of these early days.  They are so precious and fleeting and I can't get enough of the baby snuggles.  So far, I gotta say, life with 3 kids is beautiful.