The Ransoms, then there were 4...: Happy One Month, Ruby!

Happy One Month, Ruby!

I need about 4 hours to sit down and type up the birth story. And let’s just be honest – I don’t have that right now. So, I’m skipping around and doing Ruby’s Monthly Update first.

As all parents know, the first month is filled mostly with getting to know your baby and getting accustomed to having a newborn in general. Those things coupled with exhaustion, post labor recovery, parenting your other child(ren), visitors, and every day life – it’s all kind of a blur.

One has to make a cognoscente effort to soak in the time and, through all of the chaos, get to you’re your sweet, new baby. I tried my best, not always doing well but trying - to pay as close of attention as possible to Ruby’s little personality…to embrace it all and enjoy what quickly flew by as “Month 1”.

Ruby’s First Month

Clothes: Size “Newborn” and “0-3 mos”

Diapers: Size “Newborn”

-Nurses so well! PRAISE! She immediately latched on and really had no issues. Coming from the MAJOR challenging situation with Raegan, this was-and is-something that I am oh-so-grateful for. She got back up to birth weight before the 2 week mark (Dr goal and another big difference between her and her sister). After that accomplishment, we got the go ahead to extend feedings during the night from every 4 hours to every 6 (unless she woke up before…which she does J )

-Speaking of feedings-they have been every 3 hours during the day and every 4-6 in the night. (Usually 4 at night. Unless she sleeps a little longer…which happened maybe once this month). No bottle yet so mommy is managing this aspect. That part is a little difficult for mommy to carry the whole burden of, yet, small price to pay since she’s nursing well!

-Had a little case of jaundice...not bad. And nothing just a little vitamin D couldn't take care of.

-Not only takes her paci (“papi”) well, but guards it. Or that's what we think she is doing. She has done this from day 1. At first we thought she was just trying to keep it in her mouth (which we greatly appreciated) but we really think she was also trying to keep us from taking it out. Believe me, baby girl, if you need that thing in your mouth, it’s highly likely that mommy and daddy want there even more than you do.

Which brings me to…

-She has a crazy loud cry. It’s screeching. You know, like all newborn babies.

-Keeps her hands in fists (as most babies probably do) but almost all the time. The nurses joked when she was born that they were going to have to pry her hands open. One potato, two potato, three potato, four...

-Seems to have unusually strong upper body strength. Raegan was like this too. Ruby was holding her head up well even on the day she as born. Her arms are crazy strong too. It’s difficult to get her dressed b/c she tightens her arms. It’s hard for even Chuck to bend them. She doesn’t get this upper body strength from mommy.

-Has the most precious coo. “ahhh oooooooooooo” Does this primarily during activity time. One of her favorites? Under the activity gym.

-Loves a fast bottom pat. When she is difficult to calm down, again like most babies, if you turbo pat her bottom, it helps.

-Also loves getting her diaper changed. Even if fussy, when you lie her on the changing table, she almost always stops and becomes silent…looking around. Which is a darn good thing, b/c – of course – we aren't lacking in quantity on the diaper changing front.

-Does NOT love her car seat...which also means that she does not necessarily love to stroll. Yet. We're working on it. There was one trip where I finally just gave in, pulled over, parked, and held her for about 30 minutes. But don't worry - As soon as she was back in her car seat, the meltdown ensued.

-Has coined the nickname “Turtle”. Not sure if and/or how long this will last, but this occurred during the 1st month. It has to do with her strong little neck. We will hold her chest to chest and she will pop that head up and move it from side to side like she’s 6 months old…like a little “turtle”. (If the nickname sticks, let it be known that DeDe will have nicknamed both of our children. “BITSY!”)

-Curls her little toes up while she nurses. I find this so, so sweet.

-Lots of visitors! Our family and friends are amazing. So many came to visit AND brought gifts! As always (with any special event like this) – I am grateful yet overwhelmed. Hence, my request of my friends this month to cancel the Sip N See they were going to have. Sweet yet unnecessary! Mommy just can't handle it.

-Has the sweetest little, fuzzy back. I don't know what to do with babies with hair! I was shocked when she was born with hair on her head...not to mention DARK hair! (Which, she is also losing it.)

-Got to celebrate sister’s first lost tooth and birthday (both of these events, along with a school dance showcase, put mommy’s hormones in high gear.)

Other highlights:

-The sleeping….had a bad few nights…like 4 in a row…and was super gassy. To the point where we were convinced that she would be colic like Raegan. But then she pulled out of it and drastically improved…sleeping for around 3-4 hours at a time. Thank goodness for a “papi” and the fastest bottom pat in the world. However, she’s a horrible napper. Like terrible. Days are LOOOOONG. Let's just be honest tho, night time sleep trumps day time sleep ALL DAY LONG (no pun intended). So, again, grateful and we'll take it. But still hoping she outgrows this. Her sister didn’t, but hopefully she will. (sleeps in her "Rock N Play". No crib sleeping attempts yet)

-No schedule/routine yet…Taking advantage of the time we have while she is little and holding her as much as possible. We’ll worry about a schedule later. (I may regret saying this and not starting sooner. But for this past month, it's how we rolled.)

I think that's about it as far as highlights go. The month has flown. Raegan is obsessed (literally) with her. We are too. No lie – my emotions led to some breakdowns. I wasn't sure if/how I was going to be able to divide time and love BOTH of these precious girls. But, as everyone said He would, God expanded my heart, allowing more room to love than I would have ever imagined. And my hormones have simmered down. (Some) (Let's be fair: A few rites of passages for Rae stuck in there added to the standard emotional roller coaster after delivering a baby.) This is for certain: Month 1 ended much less emotional than it started. And we are so grateful for this precious, healthy, baby girl.

Happy One Month, turtle! Welcome to our little family!