The Monson Family: April 2014

1 Month Old

Life with Phebe has been so wonderful. This baby is a d.r.e.a.m.! She only cries when she is hungry, tired, has a dirty diaper, or needs to be burped. She slept so much the first three weeks, I thought something could be wrong. And I had to wake her up even during the day to eat. But it turns out, she was just sleepy and has a very easy temperament.

The interesting thing is that at the very beginning we actually thought she was quite sensitive and reactive-- and that she might have a more difficult temperament because she would randomly scream out when we moved her. I told Brent I thought she was screaming out in pain, and I had noticed that she didn't move one arm as much as the other, but I didn't think much of it. However, at an appointment with the doctor at five days old revealed she had a broken collar bone! Poor baby. There is nothing you can do for it except be gentle, but after that it was very clear that she was crying about that. Since it has healed, she has hardly cried at all (for an infant at least).

In fact, we used a pacifier in the beginning, but haven't used one in over a week because she hardly cries! When you pick her up, she stops! I'm telling you, it's incredible. And I know it has nothing to do with me. This baby just has a very easy temperament.

My mom told my sister KaRynn that Phebe could be put to sleep with two bounces, and KaRynn said she didn't believe her. But KaRynn came into town last week and was holding Phebe, and she said, "Oh my gosh! She's already asleep. Mom said she fell asleep in two bounces, and she was right!"

The truth is, if you put her down after two bounces, her eyes will pop open and she might complain. But to put her to sleep, all I have to do is put her on my chest and pat her back a few times, and she's out. I just chill in an arm chair for ten minutes or so and put her down, and she's down! Can all my babies be like this, please?!

We aren't without challenges though: thrush has been an ongoing issue for over a month. So annoying! But I am very grateful that nursing is still going well. We have her two month appointment tomorrow, and I predict she will clock in at 13 lbs. She's a chunk! And we love it. I never thought before I had babies that changing diapers could be fun, but really it is because you get to see their thigh rolls, and for some reason that is just delightful to me. Ha ha.

We also are concerned about her head/neck and think she may have mild torticollis. Tomorrow's appointment will help us know for sure. But you will notice that in all the pictures her head is turned towards her right. We work hard to encourage her to turn to the left as much as possible and hope this will not be a severe problem.

Phebe smiles with a wide, open-mouth smile that is so cute. And she has started to coo. I love it. And the other day, I caught her looking at her own fist with a face that said, "Hey, wait, am I controlling this thing?"

Brent and I are so much more relaxed as parents. When she was brand new, we knew we could move her or do anything around her and that she would still stay asleep. And I know that if I'm in the middle of helping Isaac with something and she starts crying, she can wait for a minute and be okay. I don't stress out. It's so satisfying to recognize so much growth in myself as I care for this new baby.

We love her!