Dear Gabrielle (1 Month Update)

Dear Gabrielle,

Today you celebrate your one month birthday!   We cannot believe it's been a month since the doctor laid your little body right on top of Mommy.  Seeing your face for the first time brought back some very happy memories of when your sisters were born.  We have loved watching you change in the last four weeks.  How fast you've grown in such a short amount of time.   You have shown us love comes in the teeniest of sizes and we have thoroughly enjoyed watching you grow.   We cannot explain how happy we are to have you as part of our family.  You have brought so much joy and so much fulfillment to us.

So far at 1 month:

• You're still drinking Mommy's milk...5 ounces
• You're able to drink from a bottle now so Daddy, Samantha and Sarah can feed you.
• You've definitely outgrown newborn size diapers and those newborn outfits are really snug on those rapidly growing legs.
• You're sleeping like clockwork for 3 hours and waking for your next feeding.
• You gave Mommy a real BIG treat recently and slept for a whopping 4 hours.
• We introduced the pacifier a few days prior to today, and it seems to help soothe you after your feedings.
• You burp like a champion
• You make some EXCELLENT facial expressions.   One of Mommy's favorites is your duck face right after you wake up from a nap and you're stretching.
• You're starting to make eye contact and hold it.
• You're holding your head up for longer periods of time...which will make tummy time much easier.
• You still hate having your bath...but,
• You react very well to Samantha's voice...especially when Mommy and Daddy are changing your diaper.

You have no idea yet at how much happier we are because you have arrived.   You are loved by so many people, and that love can only grow bigger.  As sleepy as Mommy is sometimes in the middle of the night, I love to see the excitement when you know your bottle is coming soon.

We cannot wait to see what the rest of your life brings to us.   Just know that we love you and we're here to hold your hand and be with you for as long as God let's us.

Don't grow up too quickly baby girl.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

We had a quick photo shoot to mark your big day...but I think you were more interested in your bottle and another nap.