6 weeks old

Malin, you are getting so big! I love seeing all your little rolls and your perfectly plump cheeks emerging.  Some days I don't think you are changing very much, but when I look back at pictures like these, I am shocked by how quickly you are growing.

Sleep has been on and off for us.  One night you'll do great and sleep 4-5 hrs (at least one stretch), but then the next you'll wake up every 2-3 hours.  I'm sure that as you get bigger this will change.

I think we've finally gotten the eating thing down.  You have become very efficient and usually only nurse for about 20-25 minutes now (quite a change from 45min-1hr in the beginning).  That also means more playtime for us before you go down for a nap.  You love your swing and especially love being on your tummy, especially on the bobby so that you can see out better.

Today you were fascinated by Bentley - and of course he is quite obsessed with you.  He becomes a little distressed when you cry, headed right over to your side to make sure you're alright.  Sometimes he sneaks in some face kisses which your momma does not love.  I think you'll two be good friends.

You are spoiled by so many people.  Your Mor Mor sends weekly packages and these fun shoes arrived last week from your cousin Scarlett.  She has a pair too so you two can be twins.

 I'm having so much fun dressing you, but honestly, you seem to prefer to be just in a diaper since it's been pretty hot lately.  When fall comes though, I know you'll appreciate it more.  We had two rainy days this week so we got to bundle you up.

Malin, I wish that you would be able to remember all of these early days and how quickly we fell in love with you.  Most of all I hope I never forget them either!

5 weeks and ambitions

Malin is 5 weeks today! She's doing great during the day, although we've regressed at night - back to waking up every 2-3 hrs to eat rather than 4! UGH! Makes for a rough night and a morning that definitely requires a large cup of coffee.  Throw in that Lucas is still on nights, it makes for two very exhausted parents.

We got all dressed up this morning to greet daddy and did a photo shoot while waiting.  Well unfortunately, nap time came along and daddy still wasn't home!

I can't stop moving I'm so excited to see him

He's really coming home??

I'll just be hanging out waiting!

I love my daddy and can't wait to see him

Thinking that I want to be a doctor when I grow up

I would be a pretty good-looking doctor

All this waiting is making me tired

1 month

My sweet, sweet baby, you are 1 month old!

 You are still very petite

You are starting to smile more and more

I'm seeng your personality develop

You don't like to stay still - always moving!

You are noticing things around you

You enjoy your naps (most of the time)

But most of all you are loved by so many people!

3 weeks

3 weeks!!?? I'm 3 days late writing this.  I can't decide if the days fly by or feel like a whole month.  Being on a "3-hr schedule" is definitely a new experience in life.

I can't believe though how much happens in a week.  Malin is so much more alert, stays more awake after we eat and is sleeping pretty well.  At her 2 week (well 2w3d) appointment, she was up to 6lbs12oz, 21 1/2".  She's in the 50th percentile for height (I don't think that will last long!) and 10-25th percentile for weight (still a little peanut).  I swear everyday she adds a new roll on her body.

Malin is starting to get into a "babywise" schedule of eating every 2 1/2-3hrs during the day - playing and then napping before the next feeding time.  During the night we are getting to almost 4 hr stretches...great for me and for Malin! We are trying to get her to sleep in the pack-n-play at nap time, but it's also just so tempting to let her snuggle and sleep on your chest. We do our best to stick to a routine, but also cherish all those snuggles!

Malin, please please please stop growing up so quickly!!!!!

Due Date

July 26, 2011

I never thought I would be meeting our baby before July 26.  I always imagined being more of a 41-week type of girl.  But, I am so thankful for the fact that Malin has been here for almost 3 weeks now.  Plus, I never got to the point of being incredibly uncomfortable- instead, I will always remember being pregnant as such a great feeling. In fact, when I am out without Malin, I sometimes wish I was still pregnant (although I would never trade being pregnant for having Malin here now!).

Now I wonder if she had arrived now, what would she weigh, how long would she be?  Would she be as alert as she is now?  Malin has already experienced life outside of my body for 3 weeks and it is so apparent that she is soaking up all sorts of new things.  She is starting to smile (probably not quite intentionally, but getting close!), she has found her voice. She knows when I am in the room since her mouth starts searching for food.  And she knows that she prefers sleeping in someone's arms rather than in her swaddle.

God was so at work in bringing Malin into this world at the perfect time, in the perfect way.  We thank Him for this gift!

How are you 2 weeks old!?

Malin,

How is it possible that you have already been with us for 2 weeks?!?  We love you like you've been with us forever!

our last picture as a family of "3", 2 weeks ago

2 weeks ago today

You are such a sweet, calm baby.  You rarely cry and when you do, you are quite easy to please.  We're finally getting the eating thing down (you seem more full, I'm in less pain!).  You sleep all the time, but are most awake in the morning.  You've discovered your jungle mat and seem to really like that.

This past week your cord stump fell off so we were able to give you your first real bath!  I was preparing myself for screaming, but you were quite happy in the tub.

Your daddy has been working nights all week so it's just been us two.  I think we're figuring this whole thing out, but I'm sure as you grow, the routine is going to change.

We've taken you to the beach now with Bentley.  You've loved being in your stroller and next to your daddy in the baby bjorn.

Malin, you are so loved by so many people! Please please please don't grow up too quickly!

XOXO,
Your momma

Happy Birthday Malin! (37w3d)

On July 8, 2011 at 6:44pm, we welcomed our little girl, Malin Marie into this world weighing 5lbs6oz.

I woke up several times Thursday night/Friday morning with a sensation of "leaking".  I didn't think much of it until after my 3rd trip to the bath room I noticed fluid running down my leg.  I yelled for Lucas from the bathroom but of course he didn't hear me. So, I made my way back to our room and casually said to him (just like the movies!), "Lucas, I think my water broke".  I've never seen him get up so quickly.

After some googling to make sure that in fact my water did break and "what to pack in a hospital bag", we were off- myself on the way to labor and delivery and Lucas on his way to a different hospital to round.  He figured by the time I got checked in and admitted, he'd be back (he was right, he arrived when I was just settling into my delivery room and getting my IV placed).

My labor went really well mainly because I respond "perfectly" according to my doc to pitocin.  We were so blessed that the first doctor that I met with that I liked the best out of the practice was the doc on call and would likely be the one to deliver our baby (assuming he/she arrived by 11pm).  Pretty much immediately after they started pitocin (8:30am), I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes. by 1pm (5cm) I was ready for an epidural.  I've heard that epidurals can often times slow things down a bit so Lucas actually asked me around 5pm if he should run out and grab food since it would be pretty late when I could eat.  I was starting to feel a lot of pressure, so I asked him to just wait until the doc came into check me again.  Sure enough, at 5:45 I was checked and was fully dialated, ready to push.  After an hour of pushing, our little GIRL, Malin ("Maylynn") arrived.

Malin is such a calm baby and has rightfully earned the name peanut since she is quite petite. Her name is swedish and middle name is my grandmother's middle name.

We praise God for His faithfulness and perfect timing!