Philadelphia Portrait & Pet Photographer | April Ziegler Photography

Dear Charlotte,

Happy 3 months, baby girl! Another month has flown by so quickly… I wish I could bottle up this time in your life to keep a little piece of it forever. I’m trying to cherish each little thing about you, as it all changes so fast. You still seem so tiny, but as we packed away more clothes that you’ve grown out of this weekend I can see how very much you’ve grown. At your 2 month doctor appointment, you weighed 10lbs 7oz. I think you’re now a little over 11lbs. You still look so much like your daddy, but there are certain expressions that you make that are so me. Your looks seem to have changed so much in these three short months, and I look forward to new discoveries each and every month.

Your personality is showing more and more every day. You’re a sweet baby, but you sure do have a feisty side. You are not shy about letting us know when you’re not happy. I feel like we’re finally getting good at realizing what your cries mean and how we can cheer you up again. You’re starting to realize that midnight is not an acceptable bedtime for a baby, and have been falling asleep for the night around 10pm, when we’re lucky. Sometimes I put you in your bed, put on your white noise, rock you a bit, and you fall right asleep… Other times, you fight sleep with a stubborn determination and your daddy and I take turns trying to soothe you to sleep. We’re trying to get into routines with you, but you like to keep us on our toes. Some nights you’ll sleep a solid eight hours, and others you’ll wake up after four. You’re still not a fan of your crib and refuse to sleep in there, preferring to nap in your swing despite my attempts at crib napping. I’m not sure that I’m ready to move you to your crib at night just yet… I love to be able to peek at you while you sleep, and seeing your beautiful smile each morning is the best way to start the day. Every morning, before he leaves for work, your daddy kneels down beside your bed and kisses you goodbye. He loves to see you all swaddled up like a baby burrito. If you stir, he runs of the room quickly, as he doesn’t want to get in trouble for waking you up at 5am… but he can’t resist sneaking in a kiss before he leaves.

You’ve really found your voice this month and have started ‘talking’. When we talk to you, you’ll smile and gurgle back. You especially love to talk to your daddy. I adore watching your conversations. Even if you’re in a cranky mood, you light up when your daddy gets home from work. You’ve also started grasping things… You’ll grab ahold of the toys that hang from your playmat and you have a small ball that you like to hold on to and occasionally try to get into your mouth. Unfortunately for you, Chloe also likes the ball and waits patiently for you to drop it so she can steal it away. I have a feeling that this will happen more and more as you grow and inevitably there will be little separation between your toys and the dogs toys. You’re starting to hold your head up a little better, though you still need some help. You’d doubtlessly be better at it if you didn’t scream each time we tried to place you on your tummy, but that’s ok… you’ll learn to do it at your own pace. I certainly don’t want to rush through this phase in your life. Right now, I’m just trying to soak up every minute of you…

I love you, baby girl.

Love,

Your mama

And some iPhone pics…

Dear Charlotte,

Happy 2 months! As always, I’m amazed at how time is flying. And how you’re growing! You weighed in at 8lbs 4oz at your 1 month appointment and are now around 10lbs. I finally gave in and stopped squishing you into your newborn-sized clothes when you were 7 weeks old. I cried when I tried to put you into the little sleeper that we brought you home in and it was too snug for you to straighten your little legs. I remember putting you into it in the hospital room. I struggled with all the snaps, as I had never actually dressed a baby before, and when I finally got it figured out I was surprised that even though it was sized for a newborn, you were swimming in it! It’s hard for me to face the fact that you’re no longer a newborn, but are becoming a feisty baby girl.

I noticed your very first responsive smile on February 4. Though you had been smiling in your sleep for awhile, that Saturday was the first time that you smiled back as I talked to you. These days the smiles are becoming more frequent and that gummy smile makes my day. The way that your eyes crinkle and the sharp intake of breath that’s almost a giggle warm my heart in a way that nothing ever has. You don’t want to know the silly things that your mama resorts to doing to make you smile. Let’s just say that you may be the only person in the world that appreciates my dancing skills. Or lack of.

Your eyes are still a deep blue and they remind me much of your Papi’s. I love that. And you still have your daddy’s pout. You love to sleep with your hands up by your face, just like you were when we saw you in our ultrasounds. If I try to swaddle you before you’re good and sleepy, you try to bust out of it in an incredible hulk style move. Your hair is growing, except for the bit of bald spot in the back. How is it possible to have both a bald spot and a mullet at the same time? I’m excited to see if it’ll stay straight like it is now or turn out curly and wild like mine.

Though you’re still a decent sleeper, your awake time is becoming more and more fun. It’s amazing to see your personality as you grow. My favorite time of the day is the mornings, especially when daddy is home with us, when you wake up so smiley and ready to start the day. You’ve started making the sweetest coo-ing and gah noises and after you sneeze you smile and let out a happy little ahhhh sound that I adore. You’re a big fan of your playmat. You lay there kicking your legs and smiling at yourself in the hanging mirror. You’re a big flirt already. You’ve discovered your hands and when you’re hungry you try to shove your entire fist in your mouth. It’s impressive. I try to keep you entertained during the day… We do tours of the house, checking out all the photos on the wall and looking out the windows. I can’t wait until it’s warm enough for us to get outside on a regular basis. You went for your first walk in your stroller this weekend. You slept through it all, but the pups sure were thrilled to get out and walk. I read to you every day… sometimes you like it, sometimes you don’t. I’ll keep it up though, in hopes that you become a bookworm like your mama.

We celebrated your first Valentine’s Day this month… it’s a special day for your daddy and I, since it’s the day that we met 10 years ago. Hard to believe how much has happened in these past 10 years. I’m so happy to be where we are today. And so happy to have you.

Love,

Your mama

And some snaps of the baby girl throughout the month…

I finally got it together enough to take some photos of Charlotte’s room so I wanted to share her little owl-themed nursery… Enjoy!

And one of the little nugget…