October 2 - 4 weeks old

Can you believe our precious baby is already 4 weeks old today? Our baby girl is growing up so fast. She has a tight grip (especially on mommy's hair), makes lots of noises: grunts, squeals and of course cries, is trying to learn the difference between day and night (usually sleeps 3-4 hours between feedings at night), eats between 2 and 6 ounces of milk (it always varies), is still trying to decide on the best bottle (in between the Tommee Tippee and Dr. Brown now) and is enjoying her new bed (Fisher Price My Little Lamb Rock n Play Sleeper). Some of our other favorite items so far include: Blooming Bath Infant Bath, Carter's gowns (for bedtime), Avent Soothie 0-3 month pacifiers, minky blankets (they're the softest), Graco Duet Soothee Swing & Rocker, Aden & Anais swaddle blankets, Tommee Tippee bottle warmer, Pampers Swaddlers and Baby Bjorn Balance Seat (like a bouncer).

As I am getting more adapted to my role as a mommy, Brooke seems nowhere close to adapting to a schedule. However, she is getting more adapted to her surroundings. Her vision is getting more and more clear. She now locks eyes with us and will follow objects that are in close range. The other day, daddy was holding her while mommy ate dinner (we have to take shifts a lot of the time) and she didn't take her eyes off of me! It was so cute, she could hear and see me. She has also been introduced to her Activity Gym. She laid on her back for a short while to see all the hanging toys and also did some tummy time. She holds her head up for a long time; she's been doing that since we were in the hospital. She is so strong!

She is smiling randomly during the day, but mostly she grins right before falling asleep. It's moments like that which make my heart melt. I try to remember those, when I am restless and frustrated trying to put a fussy baby to sleep!

I craved breakfast during my pregnancy, mostly because I woke up hungry. Nowadays, I still wake up hungry (just like Brooke) but she takes most of my attention for the first few hours of the day, before she gets tired enough to take a nap. So I am lucky to get a bowl of cereal in before 11 am. Today made me realize that even though I am getting more adapted to my new role, I still need to take it easy and rest often. Doing 4 loads of laundry, cleaning the apartment, changing the bed sheets, taking a shower, giving Brooke a bath, washing bottles (twice), cooking dinner and cleaning the dishes might be more than a new mommy can handle. It is nice to have a clean home, but I think the household chores need to be minimized and Brooke gets first priority. After her needs, come mine. Her diaper gets changed before I get a chance to go to the bathroom. She gets a bottle before I get to eat. She gets a nap before I do. If it works out that I get a shower and a nap, that twill be an extra big bonus! Hopefully I can put my obsessive compulsive cleaning aside and live by this...

It is no secret that baby girl loves to eat and sleep, sometimes both at the same time!

Monday Brooke, Grammy and I had our first outing, other than a doctor's visit or family's house. We went to Sam Moon and Babies R us. She was in her stroller and just loved it! Of course the car ride put her to sleep (someone loves my driving)! It was a busy day, and we were pooped after our adventure, but she did great!

While it is a very hard and exhausting journey, every moment with her is a blessing. I just love my little peanut! I have learned to be more selfless, patient, devoted and loving more than ever before! My life is filled with joy because of this little person and I just can't imagine it any different!