One month older, one month calmer

So much older, sweet Elizabeth! You no longer seem like a newborn to me and it seems funny to me when I hear people say, "Oh, a little one!" You are so much more mature than your months warrant...

You are sleeping between 6-9 hours every night. This is mostly on a schedule of 8 or 9 pm until 2:30 or 5:00 am. (Of course, I am far more partial to the 5:00 am waking)

During the day, you are regularly alert...you like your afternoon naps but often fight sleep by crying (a lot!) Perhaps you are a morning person too? You are plenty cheerful in the morning and gradually get crankier and crankier throughout the day. At least you have started taking your pacifier better now. Still not a favorite, but it will calm you if we eventually get it in.

You are also becoming (inconsistently) more calm. Yeah! After feedings, you may even make it 30 minutes without crying/fussing. :) You have learned to smile (still tentatively) and have been doing so since you were about 5-6 weeks old. Such a sweet prize when we get one of your smiles! It is funny how you can flip a switch though and go from all smiles to screaming in an instant. We can always see it coming because your eyes get red first, and it works itself down the rest of your face until your whole face becomes quite red. As you calm down, the red flush rolls back up your face again until only your eyes are red, and then nothing at all. (a rather funny sight!)

Again, like your alertness, you have shown great advancement in your physical skills. You regularly flip from your tummy to your back (and then get angry because you don't like your back). You hold your head up incredibly well and you far prefer sitting upright over lying down--and when I say upright, I mean UPRIGHT! The more upright, the better until you are almost about to topple over.

You show a distinct preference for Mommy right now. You calm down significantly if I am holding you (rather than others) and regularly turn toward my voice. You still are a rare baby who really does not just love to be held. Unlike your brother, while you like to be held for short periods of time, you will not stay calm just because you are held either in arms, or in the sling. :(

As for features, your hair is lightening (like big brother's at same age). You have had an on-again-off-again case of baby acne since 4 weeks old, exaggerated by the heat and rubbing your chin on the sheets in your bed. You are still putting on weight, although at a slower pace. (10.6 pounds now)

One day this month, I dressed you in a white onesie with blue stars and some blue, green, and white pants. The onesie had a heart on it but...still blue. Despite a pink blanket and the heart, you were mistaken for a boy. Later that week, you were dressed in a white onesie with pink and brown flowers and brown pants and white hoodie. Again, you were mistaken twice that day for a boy. Sorry, little one! You are far too delicate looking to be a boy, but I guess I will have to dress you in pink to always ensure no future confusion. I have started adding a few bows (ridiculously large though they are).

Your brother loves you and likes to share his blankies with you. Too bad he also likes to tickle your face when you are sleeping and force his golf clubs in your hand so you can play with him! :)

We love you so much, Elizabeth! Can't wait to see what changes this next month will bring.