I can hardly believe our sweet little Ella is already 1 month (and 3 days) old! I guess time flies when you're having fun, huh? My BFF Amanda gave me the idea to blog about Ella month by month so that I don't forget all those little details that fade from my memory so very quickly.
At one month old, my sweet Ella Joy loves to be held. During the day she naps on her tummy with Mommy and her brothers and sisters "checking" on her regularly. She's such a content baby and seems unphased by the noise, kisses, hugs and constant love pats. I guess after 42 weeks of hearing it from the inside, the outside isn't much of a change!
She loves for me to carry her in my kikoi (sling) and when we are outside (or out and about) she takes her naps in there. I'm truly loving my kikoi and I never thought I'd turn around and drive 15 minutes back home just to get it. It's a must have now that I've discovered how to really be a "baby wearing" Momma. (PS: If you'd like one, email me and I can hook you up! They're super inexpensive, will help support some great friends' adoption fund and straight from Africa!)
She still has adorable chubby cheeks that I cannot resist smooching. Her umbilical stump finally fell off at 3.5 weeks old and she had her first real bath a day or so later. So far, she LOVES bath time and I love her clean baby smell.
A few intentional smiles have slipped across her face and a few small coos have echoed from her sweet, little mouth. I'm still deciding on who she looks the most like, now thinking she will surely favor Lucas most. Her soft, red hair reminds me so much of Ashlee's baby fuzz while her calm, laid-back personality is reminiscent of her eldest sister's in so many ways.
Night times are getting easier. She sleeps swaddled up and alternates between sleeping beside me in the bed while nursing, sleeping in the bassinet and sleeping in the swing that's in our bedroom. For the last several nights, she's gone 3 hours stretches between feedings!
I prayed that the Lord would bless us with an easy-going baby and He did just that. I am absolutely smitten with her just as I was with another special, little girl not too long ago.