ou’re turning two months old! Thank goodness your second month was entirely less eventful than your first. We celebrated your first Christmas, which to you seemed not much different than a typical day, though you took a long nap in a loud restaurant, sleeping away almost our entire meal which was a great gift to me! You also went for the first time to the eye doctor, which you didn’t enjoy that much. And you started physio for some mild torticollis. You’re going to weekly appointments, and you are mostly cooperative except for when the stretching gets too intense and you squawk like a little eagle. You also had your first cold and were made miserable for a day or two, congested and unable to nurse well. However, when it came time to suck the snot out of your head with the nose frida, you didn’t mind one bit. It’s like you knew that I was trying to help you.

Growing:

You’re definitely bigger, but by how much exactly I can’t be sure. I’m late in getting you to your two month well visit. You’ve officially graduated out of newborn diapers and into size S. You’re also popping out of your newborn onesies and, especially when wearing cloth diapers, nearing the end of size one month clothing.

Your eyes are still a deep navy, and I suspect that they may eventually turn brown. You hair is still dark brown, and curls after a bath. It’s thinning on the sides giving you a mohock ‘do up top, and I’m saving your vanity by having your wear knit caps. Your face is filling out, and baby chub is developing in your cheeks. You’re getting stronger and are more able to hold your head up when I cradle you over my shoulder. You’re looking a lot more like Baby Stella, though obviously you still maintain your essential Lyra-ness.

Eating

You’re still nursing on demand. I can’t say how often, but not so frequently that I fell trapped on the couch as is the typical newborn narrative. You eat quickly, and then are satisfied for a few hours. Although, in the evenings you do often shorten the interval between feeds to every hour or so. You’ve just started taking a bottle which is great news for me! It buys me a few hours a few times a week when I can get work done. I’m finding it less necessary to burp you after feeds. And it seems as though your reflux is slowly resolving.

Sleeping

You sleep like no other baby I’ve had before. You can manage about an hour of awake time, and then you’re off to dreamland again. However, if I put you down in your crib, there’s a solid chance you’ll wake up within the space of about 40 minutes. If you’re snuggled next to me in the Ergo, you’ll sleep for a solid three hour block.

You’re a bit of a night bird, Lyra. In the evenings, you stay up late, probably till about 10 or 11. I’ve taken to passing you to Papi while I go to bed. The two of you sit up and watch some complicated show about the end of the world and some destructive virus. It’s absolutely baby appropriate. He then brings you to bed, but often that wakes you up and you’re then VERY AWAKE for an hour at least. I sort of wonder if this is a deliberate strategy to cultivate some alone time with us, away from the big, loud, attention seeking older kids who seem intent on touching you every moment you are awake, always just a little too much and a little too hard. Regardless, it certainly is lovely to spend a few quiet hours in the evening together with you and Papi.

At night, you only wake a couple of times to feed. But, frequently this month at least, you’re waking up and staying up in the middle of the night fora few hours, especially if you’ve slept all day (see above re the dangers of a baby carrier!)

Saying

You still squawk when you want me, and don’t cry much at all, until it’s about 6 pm, and then you’re inconsolable. I don’t know what’s bothering you, but it’s horrible to watch. I get the impression that you’re really in pain. Although, towards the end of the month, your evening bouts of colic have lessened, and I’m wondering if it has to do with you physio work.

You’re starting to coo, just a little bit. You really do love to sit propped up on my lap and coo slowly and gently away. You move your arms and legs with rhythmic excitement and then stop to tell me a little something. We usually find time for this only late in the evening after the big kids have gone to bed, which is why I’m sure you’re staying up so late.

Being

You seem to have woken up this month. You’re much more alert, and you watch the big kids and track my moments around the house. You’re very content to lie on the sheepskin mat and look out the window, or at the underside of the coffee table, which, for some inexplicable reason, you find fascinating. You squawk at me after about 20 minutes, and I know it’s time to pick you up.

You’re quite happy to sit in your bouncy chair and be doted on by Stella. And she’s quite happy do dote on you.

You’ve started taking a pacifier, and while you’re still learning to keep it in your mouth, it sometimes calms you when you’re upset.

Learning

You’re learning to get your hands into your mouth. As the month has drawn on, you’re getting more accurate with your aim, and more capable of getting your little fists up by your face. You seem to want to suck on your thumb, but so far it has stayed tucked up inside your little first.

Loving

You love being carried around in the carrier, sleeping snuggled up next to me, and generally being warm and cozy next to a tenderhearted human. You also love milk, your little fists, tummy rubs, and late night chats.

Loathing

You’re still really not a fan of the bath or being cold. Gas and burps are terrible. Being abandoned on the floor for too long is not so nice. Sleeping alone is not your jam.

Enjoying

I’m really enjoying watching your personality slowly start to peek out. You seem deliberate and thoughtful, calm and not easily ruffled, but sensitive to the moods around you. You like company and are entertained by a gentle chat and a warm smile. I’m so looking forward to learning more about who you are.

Lyra {Month Two}