Wes Wild: 1 Month Old

Oh, Wes! Our first month with you was so snuggly, so cuddly, and sooooo sleepy. I forgot how tiring it is to have a newborn! The first few weeks, you mostly slept and ate. Your dad and I took turns holding you allllll day and night long. We really didn't put you down much! You were born with just the sweetest disposition. I could tell that you were calm and so loving, and that has 100% continued to be true.

I feel like I called the doctor a lot more with you during those first few weeks than I did with your sisters. I didn't know anything about healing a circumcision so we called a couple times for that, and we also called about you looking a little yellow in the eyes one day. Everything turned out perfectly fine, but I felt like I was acting like a brand new mom! You definitely brought some new things into our life!

During your first month, you slept best either being held or on your Boppy lounger. You liked to sleep at an incline, not flat on your back, even though we tried that. You woke up every 2-3 hours to eat, all day and all night, and your dad and I took turns feeding you. Even though those middle of the night feedings were so tiring, they were also so sweet. I tried to soak in that feeling of snuggling you in the night when the rest of the world was asleep.

You were our first baby that didn't HAVE to be swaddled to sleep. Sometimes when you just couldn't settle, we would swaddle you and you would calm down, but you didn't have crazy arms (again - you were so calm!) and you could easily fall asleep without being swaddled. You were also our first baby that really liked the pacifier and used it for longer than your sisters did.

Before you were born, everyone warned us that we would get peed on a lot, and that did happen a few times (and was always such a surprise!), but thankfully not as often as people warned. By the end of your first month, we were able to get through diaper changes without any accidents, which was good!

Your very first outing was to your 1 week doctor's appointment. Then after that, we did quite a few things during your first month. We took you to the zoo twice, the pumpkin patch another day and Chalk the Block in downtown El Paso. We also took new family photos during your first month - you slept through the whole thing. And your Grandma and Grandpa Klock and Uncle Seth came to meet you right at the end of your first month, which was super fun.

We just love you so much, Wes Wild, and look forward to watching you grow!

Elle Evergreen: 1 month old

Little Elle! I can't believe it's been a whole month since you joined our family! Your dad and I thought we remembered what it was like to have a newborn, but you have managed to surprise us. You are definitely your own little person, and you're already making sure things are done your way. :) Below are a few highlights from your first four weeks with us...

The first couple of weeks, all you did was eat, sleep and poop, and you were barely ever awake. We learned quick that you like to be swaddled up super tight in order to sleep or be content when you are awake. You're our little burrito baby. When your arms and hands are free, they don't stop moving and you get worked up really quickly because of them. (Even one month in, we still prefer to cover your hands either with your sleeves or mittens or your swaddle to keep you the calmest. Your hands are so tiny - little wrinkly old lady hands - but they are crazy. You already sliced your cheek with your razor nails even though I've cut and filed them - sad!)

Around the third week, you started staying awake for longer periods of time, and that's when your gremlin sounds came out. Whenever you are awake and fussy or when you are eating and you're interrupted, you make the craziest grunting and snorting sounds - like a gremlin or a baby zombie. Ha!

We also learned quick that you love the pacifier. We didn't love the idea of giving you one, but it's the easiest way to calm you down when you're being a gremlin so we gave in. You're funny with it, though - sometimes you act like it's the best thing in the world when we put it in your mouth and other times, you act like it's disgusting and you don't want anything to do with it.

At one month old, you still sleep most of the day away. You wake up to eat every three hours or so during the day, but you have started sleeping for five to eight hour stretches at night without eating. That sure is nice! We have the pack 'n play set up next to our bed for you, but you sleep best when you are tucked in close next to someone, so you've been sleeping tucked in on my side of the bed and it's working out great. I like to have you close so I can keep an eye on you during the night, and you are sleeping for longer and longer stretches so we are all happy.

Other things you love include being held (which is fine with me since I'm trying to soak in all the newborn snuggles I can), being worn in the wrap or baby carrier and having your hair played with or washed (you instantly relax and your eyes roll around like it feels amazing). A few things you don't like include diaper changes (aaah! the terror!!), clothes changes (aaaah!! even worse than diaper changes!) and baths (your first bath stressed me out so much I needed a glass of wine after).

Oh little Elle, we can't wait to watch you grow and see your personality come out as the months go on! We are so glad to have you as part of our family. Your dad, sisters and I love you so much. Happy one month birthday, and may all your days be happy ones!

Wren Winter: 1 month old

Little Wren, you're one month old today! It's hard to believe it's been a month since we were at the hospital waiting for you. It feels like just yesterday, and at the same time, it feels like a lifetime ago.

This first month has been so fun and so challenging. The first couple of weeks, all you really did was sleep, eat and poop. Mom got really good at changing diapers, and dad and I thought we'd lucked out with the perfect baby. But you must like to keep us guessing because you turned into a little stinker around week three, screaming at the top of your lungs unless someone's holding you, rocking you or bouncing you. (Can you say high maintenance, little lady?)  #itsagoodthingyourecute #justkidding ;)

A few more things you've got going on these days: You don't like your back rubbed - at all. You get really, really excited when you realize it's time to eat (and always try to eat the towel we put under your chin). You burp like a man. You make the craziest grunting sounds when your belly is full. You love to stretch your little body out as long as it'll go while making really silly faces. You hate having your clothes changed (arm holes are the worst). You hated baths at first, until we broke out the space heater and turkey baster. (Dad squirts you with warm water while I wash you, and the space heater keeps us all nice and toasty.) You think gentle bouncing, patting and rocking is for sissies - if you're going to be bounced, you want to be BOUNCED. You love a good foot massage (but look thoroughly confused/afraid when we try your shoulders - ha!).

Oh, Wren, you make me smile a million times a day. Your dad and I love you so much! Happy one month birthday, and may all your days be happy ones.