Happy 3 Month Birthday!

Annabelle turns 3 months old today!

In the past three months she has grown into a baby and is not a newborn anymore. About the time she turned two months she began smiling and moved into size 1 diapers. Now we get those toothless smiles everyday. Daniel and I both just about cried when she first smiled at us. That was amazing. And for the record, Daddy got the very first smile.

At the beginning of the month she started coo-ing and about two weeks later she said her first word – Hi! Seriously, it sounds like “Hi!” in a little baby voice.

We also stopped swaddling her before she went to sleep and she moved into footy pajamas. At the same time, she didn’t need us to hold her until she fell asleep anymore. I am excited that I can now just lay her down to sleep. However, I am also a little sad at the same time, because I really didn’t mind cuddling with my baby before I laid her down for the night.

Her neck is getting stronger. Her head is still gets a little wobbly sometimes, but she is doing great. Also, her eyes are getting stronger. It is so awesome to see when she recognizes who you are and just gives you the biggest grin you have ever seen.

This month Annabelle also started scooting on her back. We can’t just lay her down on a blanket and expect her to stay in that one spot. I have to angle her so that if she does go backwards, she doesn’t bump into anything.

Finally, my most favorite thing she is doing now. She sleeps 10 hours a night! Really, 10 hours! I still can’t believe it. Some nights are eight or nine hours and seven at the very least. This is amazing. Last week I just started moving up her bed time and she is doing great. Right now her bed time is 9 o’clock, but I am going to try to incrementally move her bed time up some more.

Annabelle is also being more consistent with naps. I am still learning her cues and learning the importance of sleep. I am not very far into the book, “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” and already this book has helped me learn when Annabelle is getting overtired and the importance of getting her to sleep before she hits that overtired state.

Annabelle has been sleeping in our room this entire time, but she is about to outgrow her pack n’ play bed and her crib will give her more room to sleep. Two days ago I started laying her in her crib for naps. As soon as Dad paints her dresser and we clean up the room a bit, I think we will move her into her room. It’s a little sad for me, I really like having Annabelle four feet from me when we sleep, but I know she will be okay. Also, her room is right next to ours, so she is not going far.

That is the three month update on Annabelle. I am doing really well. Taking care of Annabelle is getting easier everyday. I absolutely love my new job!