Three Months Old--Posted a few days late

Wow, it's been 3 months since this little precious baby entered our lives! Madeline's little personality is really starting to come out, and I'm happy to report that she seems to have such a sweet, lighthearted personality. I think she may take after her daddy with her laid back personality which is probably a good thing. This household can probably only handle one type A woman at a time! She's all smiles when you talk to her, and she's found her voicebox with her little coos and babbles. It's so cute to make her smile and talk back to you! She's very predictable with her routine, and she's trying to sleep through the night without waking up at all. We've decided to help her along with her sleeping through the night by just going in her room if she fusses and plug her paci in her mouth and sneak back out. Gradually she has fussed later and later, and this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to wake up at 6 AM and realize we didn't hear a peep from her all night. When I went to her room about 6:15 AM to feed her, she was wide awake just kicking and looking at her mobile. Hopefully we're onto something permanent here. She goes down at 7:30 PM after a last feeding, and it's so nice to have the rest of the evening to make dinner and visit with my husband. Otherwise, she eats about every 3 hours during the day starting at 6 AM. Madeline seems to enjoy getting out each morning to take a trip to the gym, and I'm sure all the action in the kids care is intriguing to her. One part of our day that I cannot let slide is her naps. This little one loves to nap, and she can be quite a bear if she doesn't get her sleep. Not to mention, she can just about sleep anywhere or in any position.
Madeline LOVES her swing, bouncy seat, and activity mat. She just kicks, looks at the mobiles and lights, and makes small, delightful giggles at the squeaks and music that each one has to offer. She's an independent little lady as she is content to be on one of those "stations" or propped up on the sofa to look out the window rather than be held. I enjoy those independent moments when I have Mommy chores to do around the house. Of course, she loves to be "talked" to, and I think bathtime is one of her most favorite activities of the day. I still read to her just about everyday even though she's probably not really listening.

She's getting much stronger in her neck and legs. She much prefers to be "sitting" or "standing" upright rather than flat on her back if you are holding her. Her neck control has improved dramatically since last month, and I call this the "jello stage" because she sits up (assisted of course) weeble wobbling around like a big bowl of jello. Tummy time is still not her favorite thing to do, but I do believe it is helping her learn to pull her head up, so we do it a few minutes several times a day. Madeline has really started to lose all that newborn hair, and there is just a slight amount of white blond fuzz underneath it all. I'm not sure she'll be blessed with a gracious amount of hair at an early age, but I'll figure some way to attach bows to my girly girl. She still looks to be a combination of both of us (at this point the verdict is still out as to who she favors), but I am starting to think she's got my husband's fair skin. Now, I'll have two fair skinned sweeties to lube up at any outdoor activity! I'd better invest in large quantities of sunscreen and aloe vera lotion!
Over the last month, Madeline has been babysat by my parents in the evenings, and just recently, Madeline had her first weekend free of Mommy and Daddy!! Eric and I went to Clemson homecoming, and Madeline was left with her Nana and Papa (Eric's mom and dad). All went well, and I'm sure Madeline loved her snuggles and caretaking from her Nana and Papa. We are happy to know that "she was an angel!" Eric and I sure appreciated our adults only weekend away, and we only called one time to check in!

We love this little girl with all our hearts, and we are definitely looking forward to sharing her first Thanksgiving and Christmas with her in the very near future.