one month old

We had Emerson's one month check today. The first thing the doctor asked was, "Is she in the rashy, gassy, fussy stage?!" To which I said, "How did you guess?" Apparently many/most babies go through a period of time when they are around the 1 month mark. FUN!

Emerson has grown 2- 3 inches (based on whose birth measurements you use) and is now in the 50th percentile for height. She has well surpassed her birth weight at this point by gaining 3+ lbs in the past month. She was 7 lbs. 5 oz at birth, 6 lbs. 9 oz. at her 1 week check, and 9 lbs. 10 oz. today! That is in the 74th percentile! I thought that was the biggest percentile number my girls have ever had, but looking back at the same time frame with Finley she was in the 80th percentile (10 lbs. 7 oz.) at her one month check. Avery's records from her first years are packed away, so I couldn't compare to her as well, but I am pretty sure it must be a trend. From here, they all just start dropping off the charts and stay there. We will see!

One month stats:

9 lbs. 10 oz. (74th percentile)

21 inches long (50th percentile)

I am so grateful Emerson is healthy and growing! She may be rashy, gassy, and SUPER fussy, but it is just a stage, so it will pass... thank heavens!

there is nothing i would rather do

I am in the throws of life with a newborn (I am currently covered in spit up, remnants of a blow-out, and urine ...Emerson peed all over me as I was getting her out of the bath which I gave her after the aforementioned blow-out). Life is a little crazy. The older 2 (especially Avery) have been climbing the walls and driving me bananas. They constantly want to hold the baby, be in her face, wake her up when she is sleeping, and just be wherever she is (which is usually on me). As difficult as this time is, I am reminded by one of my favorite quotes by President Thomas S. Monson, that it goes by in an instant.

"Be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."-Thomas S. Monson

I know I WILL look back at this time, all too soon, wishing it would have lasted. Wishing they would stay little, WANTING to cuddle, saying cute things, laughing out loud, chasing each other through the house, climbing the walls, demanding attention, making messes everywhere, and creating mounds of laundry for me to do. I TRY to keep that in mind as I go through my days in a fog from lack of sleep, as I strive to stay on top of everything (even though lately it feels like I am doing all I can to make sure the children are alive and the house is still standing at the end of the day), and as I am pulled in a dozen different directions by multiple sets of little hands, requests, whimpers, and cries. Some days I am more successful at keeping things in perspective than other days. However, even on the very worst of days, I am so grateful for the blessing and opportunity to be a mother... to be THEIR mother... to be entrusted with these three beautiful little girls and their uniquely individual spirits. There is nothing I would rather be doing than being home with them (pulling my hair out at times), caring for them, loving them, teaching them, and watching them grow.

This mother's day I am so grateful for my own mother who (even in spite of less than ideal conditions/situations) made sure we knew we were so very loved and that we were always most important in her eyes-ahead of work or any other obligations. I hope I can give own children that same assurance. NOTHING is more important to me than their safety, happiness, and well-being.

I am also grateful for all of the grandmothers (Gramma Lee, Ya Ya, Nonni) and other women in my life (Tiffany, Mary, Mary, and wonderful friends) who are an example to me, that love my children, and will help me in my effort to raise strong, loving, capable women.

To all of you I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!

happy mother's day, with love from Avery

Avery brought this home from preschool yesterday (I added the editorial comments). I got a good chuckle out of it. A little insight into the mind of a 4 year old!