Watch You Grow! Month 3

Dear Ensley,

Yay for month 3! It was the turning point for both you and me! Happy times!

Month 3:

Although you still cried quite a bit this month, this was the turning point in your colic. It was during this month that Daddy and I decided since you weren't gaining enough weight and you were crying all the time that we needed to do something different. We decided that formula was the best thing for you. I still nursed you when you woke up in the middle of the night, but pretty soon we did formula then too. I was so sad that I had to stop nursing. It was a real struggle for me to get over it because I just wanted to do what was best for you. However, when we started you on formula all the time you were a totally different baby. You stopped crying all the time, we could take you out places, you were happy and content. I still wonder what you would have been like had we started it sooner, and even though you can't change the past, I still carry some guilt over it. You were just crying because you were literally starving. My poor little love. I still get upset if I think about it.

This was a very fun month because you started smiling and interacting with us so much more. Since we started taking you out more it was fun to see all the compliments you got from everyone because you were just the most beautiful baby. Everyone seemed to make a comment as we passed about your adorable chubby cheeks or beautiful blue eyes. I felt so lucky to have such a pretty baby and, I won't lie, I loved that everyone thought you were a little doll.

I started to get VERY upset around the end of this month because I knew I was headed back to work and couldn't imagine being away from you. It absolutely made me sick to think of not seeing you for 10 hours a day. I still feel that way, but since I was around you almost every second of your life up to this point, the thought of being separated was utterly depressing.

Your Firsts: Your first big and consistent smiles began this month. You smiled at Daddy the most when he would make funny sounds and faces at you.

Big smiles for Daddy!

Your first trip to a county fair (7/29). We went with Uncle Kenny and Aunt Jenn to the Orange County Fair. You were such a good girl the whole day. The only time you really cried was right at the beginning of the day because I tried to change you in the car and you didn't like that one bit. We walked you around quite a bit in the sling so you could see what was going on, and you fell asleep in your stroller for quite a bit as well. I was so proud of how well you did even though I was a nervous wreck the whole time.

Mommy and Daddy with you at the Fair.

With Auntie Scoo and Uncle Kenny. (She is totally obsessed with you!)

Your first really good doctor's appointment (7/31). They were constantly worried about your weight, but this month you made great gains! I can't remember if you got your first shots at this appointment, but I think you might have.

Tummy time at the doctor's office. Such a strong girl! :)

Your first day at the beach (8/4). We went to Newport Beach to celebrate Brianna's graduation from high school. We got lost and couldn't find the right beach, but you slept most of that time. You cried a bit at the beach, but not too bad. You loved going down by the water and watching the waves. You were so cute in your little pink bathing suit and hat.

Your first professional pictures (8/7). We went to The Picture People and got your 3 month pictures done. You were so cute and smiled at the lady. It was really hard to choose your outfit and ALL of the poses turned out really cute, but we could only pick one. The dress we put you in was one of Daddy's picks from before you were born.

This is the first month we had regular visits from LOTS of friends! I even hosted a lunch at our house to say goodbye to Michelle Carp, one of my coworkers. A lot of the people who came were so excited to meet you!

The Parsio family: Jen, Alexis, Josh, and Mike

Auntie Scoo. She was here all the time and I think would have been over more (or taken you home) if she could have. :)

Mandi and Josh Warren. They were our first overnight guests. I was worried you would wake them, but you slept like...well...like a baby!

This was taken when we went to visit Jeri and Servando. They were so excited to see you, and you did well overall.

Jeri was excited to show you the dancing bear toy her granddaughter, Marley, left at the house. You were very interested in it, even if you were a little scared.

 



These are from the lunch with my coworkers. I had to put the crying one in. ;) The little boy holding you is Stepheny Mello's son, Noah. He loved you except when you cried. I love the little smile you are giving him.

Things You Liked: Monkey: You still liked your Monkey Chair quite a bit this month, but I could tell that you really wanted to be more active. We tried to start doing a lot of tummy time this month so you could strengthen your neck and back muscles for when you started crawling. Bumbo: You started sitting in your Bumbo chair a little bit toward the end, but I didn't leave you in it for long because your neck was still pretty weak. Car rides. You loved riding in the car and would either sit and stare at me or fall right asleep. It was nice that you didn't mind being in your car seat and we felt comfortable taking you places. Reading. You were so very smart from the very beginning. I would read to you often, but this is the month where you would look all over each of the pages as I read to you. I could tell that you loved seeing the new pages and hearing the stories. I often read "10 Little Butterflies" and "10 Friendly Fish" and counted with you as we read. You were so attentive, and I hope that you still love books as much as you did when you were a baby. Watching TV. You used to sit on Daddy's lap and just stare, mesmerized, at the TV. I hope we didn't give you ADD or something! I think it was all the colors and sounds that you liked.

Some of my FAVORITE pictures (of all time!):

My baby and books - my two loves - together. :)

You loved when we would run the warm water on you in the bath. I CAN'T believe how tiny you are when I look at this picture. You've had a bath every single night since you've been born. You have always loved it.

 

Family nap time! This was one of the very few times you slept with me. So special. <3

My very  favorite outfit, and my very favorite picture in your car seat. You barfed 2 seconds after this was taken.

TV time with Daddy!