Natalie at 2 Months

Yesterday, our sweet baby girl turned 2 months old. We went to the doctor for a check-up and she weighed 11 lbs 12 oz (75th percentile) and was 23.5 inches tall (close to the 90th percentile). We've opted not to immunize right now, so she didn't get any shots, but there was still plenty of fussing because she was sleepy.

Natalie is changing so quickly. We get lots of smiles out of her now, especially during diaper changes. I think she has the biggest most beautiful grin ever with her little dimples! Over the last few days she has become more vocal with cooing. I can't wait to hear her giggle! She has started chewing on her fists more in an attempt to find her fingers so she can suck on them, but she also uses a paci when she's trying to settle down to sleep. She has slept six hours straight at night three times, but usually only sleeps five hours, eats, sleeps three hours, eats and sleeps another hour or two before really waking up.

Another recent development is that since her doctor's appointment yesterday she has nursed without using a shield! She had problems latching on when she was born, so we ended up using a silicone shield to help her nurse, but it's so annoying and I regretted ever agreeing to use it! Once I got used to it, I hated fighting her to try and get her to nurse without it, so I gave up and let her have her way. After talking to the doctor, our doula and a friend who recently weaned her baby from the shield, I thought I'd try again and she did great! It's incredibly painful for me at this point, but I know my body will adjust and it's so worth it to be done with that dreadful invention!

We are so blessed to have Natalie in our lives. Even when I'm tired or in a bad mood, she can turn that around with a simple, sweet smile. She gets pretty fussy in the evenings and Alex and I can get frustrated with the crying, but after she has been in bed for a little while, I miss her like crazy! Life certainly hasn't been the same since she was born, but I wouldn't have it any other way.