Nora is 4 months old… and it’s hard to believe that last year at this time, she still wasn’t even a thought in our minds! I do remember feeling extremely tired last March, but I figured it was because of all our extensive home renovations and the fact that I was out-of-town twice in one month.
Little did I know that a year later, we would have a 4-month-old baby girl!
Nora is one crazy cat — we call her our “bi-polar baby” because she can be happy-as-a-clam one minute, start screaming uncontrollably the next, and then all smiles the next.
She’s also easily scared by loud noises, quick movements, unfamiliar faces… and pretty much anything else.
We still haven’t quite figured her out yet, but we do know that she LOVES to eat, she LOVES to move, and she LOVES to make noise. And I suppose if I’m honest — I could say all the same things about myself!
She still doesn’t do well with naps, but she’s sleeping much better at night… so I’m thrilled.
She also seems to be much more content by herself. Even if it is only for 10 or 15 minutes — it’s SO nice to be able to put her down, eat my lunch or respond to a few emails in peace, and then switch my attention back over to her.
Oh, and she absolutely adores her mama 🙂
Here are a few of Nora’s “milestones” this past month…
1. She can roll over on her own — but only from back to front — so I spend a good part of my days rolling her from front to back so she can then roll from back to front on her own. And don’t try to help her — she can do it by herself!
2. She has totally figured out how to suck her thumb — and boy does she love that thumb. However, we still can’t go anywhere without her pipe — so who knows, we might be lucky enough to have a baby addicted to BOTH her thumb and a pipe!
3. She giggles — kind of! She’s been “talking” non-stop since about 2 months… but the last few weeks, our house has been full of Nora’s many sounds. Recently, if we tickle her in just the right spots, she’ll giggle. However, she usually startles herself when she giggles and then starts crying because she’s scared! It’s still cute though 🙂
4. She holds her own pipe — as I mentioned above, she loves her pipe… and has now figured out how to grab it, pull it out, and push it back in again. Of course, she still cries for help when she’s feeling too tired or “lazy” to do it herself — and sometimes, she’ll even put her thumb inside the hole of the pipe so she can suck both at the same time!
5. She’s teething — seriously, she’s way to young for this… but the girl has little tiny teeth that look like they are starting to come in up front.
6. She sits at the table— well kind-of. She’s still a little small for the portable highchair I got… but it’s nice that we don’t have to hold her all through dinner anymore.
7. She grabs EVERYTHING — and of course, everything she grabs goes into her mouth. She loves feeling different types of fabrics, and since ribbons are just the right size for her tiny hands, I made an extremely cheap “toy” and simply tied a bunch of ribbons and long fabric scraps on her bouncy seat… she was thrilled!
And although this post obviously accentuates the positive… it’s still SO hard.
People keep asking how they can help, but I honestly think the only way anyone can really help is by letting me have one week {or even one day} “pre baby”. Just one chunk of time where I don’t have to think about or worry about Nora — which would only be possible if she wasn’t born yet.
I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. I’m physically tired from lack of sleep, I’m mentally tired from trying to multi-task and plan so that everything gets done each day, but I’m emotionally EXHAUSTED from all the ups and downs, the screaming, the guilt, the wondering IF I’m doing things right, the pressure TO do things right, the lack of schedule, and a whole new level of unpredictability that my over-planned soul just can’t handle.
I think I need a week at a spa… Dave thinks I just need a couple drinks 🙂
Happy 4 months sweet Nora — Mommy really DOES love you!
Glenna says
My 1st baby girl sounds a lot like Nora. Everybody told be things would get better at 3 months but they truly go better when she was about 6 months and could sit and entertain herself a little more. Now at 6 years old she is a happy loving little girl. Looking back, we joke that she broke us into parenting well. I have to agree with what Shannon said about PPD and Suzanne said about the getting use to new normals. Good Luck!
Suzanne says
Someone mentioned finding the “new normal”, and as a mom of a 4-year-old, one thing I learned that has helped is that while a new normal can be found and you can get used to that routine, a few months pass and then a different “new normal” has to be created again, based on your child’s needs. I would have NEVER realized how hard being a mom is until becoming one myself. 🙂 Sometimes just getting out alone for an hour to run needed errands seems like heaven. We’ve got to find those moments for ourselves to rejuvenate. Sadly, my 1/2 hour in the evening in the shower is sometimes my only alone time, but I love it!
Nora is just gorgeous! My son was looking at the photos on the post and kept asking what each baby’s name was. “This is Nora. This one’s Nora too,” I’d say. “Oh, they have the same name!” he replied.
Andrea says
I love this Suzanne — your son cracks me up 🙂
And yes, I totally agree — there is ALWAYS a new normal
Jess L. says
I just wanted to say thank you for being so BRAVE to share your ups and downs with having a baby. You are doing a great job “purge” that doubt and guilt and keep up the good work!!!
Shannon H says
Those first few months are so hard–the demands of a newborn plus the exhaustion from sleep-deprivation. You’re doing great and I applaud you for being honest that it’s not all sunshine and roses. I will mention though that for me, longing for the pre-baby days/desiring to rewind to the pre-baby days, was a symptom of post partum depression. I’m not saying you have PPD (I had other symptoms, especially irritability), just that you might want to keep that on your radar. On the bright side, things really start to get better (in my opinion) at 4 or 5 months–that’s when I remember finally being able to sit down to dinner again!
Paulette says
Nora has STUNNING blue eyes!!! She looks very healthy and happy so you must be doing well as a Mommie! 🙂
Leone says
Little Nora is quite the cutie! And it sounds like she is quite the little individual as well. She (and you) will be so much happier when she becomes mobile. That’s when my very headstrong daughter began to shine and made my life a bit easier, though it meant I was constantly running after her, haha. Sounds like you’re doing a bang-up job.
Kristen says
What a wise husband…and a beautiful daughter! I’m praying that your heart can cherish every moment of these days.
Kaui @ Thrifty Military Mommy says
That baby is beautiful! I absolutely love reading up about her and what you guys are doing to raise her. I remember hating the baby days, but like everyone always says, I miss them now :(. Congratulations. You seem to be doing extremely well so far 🙂
Pamela says
I vote for the drinks AND the spa! And can I join you?
-Mom of 3 yr old and 1 yr old
P.S. It truly does get easier. I thought I was going to die those first few months, but I eventually found my new normal.
Andrea says
haha, yes Pamela — I’ll make us reservations 🙂
Natalia says
Nora is so sweet and you are doing a PERFECT job!!! She’s blessed to have you!
Well, I just wish that I could give you a little break and play with Nora while you’re enjoying that spa, but I’m sure you’ll get bored in a few hours, not a whole week!!! 🙂
Thank you for reminding me to enojoy the “pre-baby” times!
Shannon says
Thank you again for sharing pictures! She always makes me smile!
Heather says
Nora is absolutely beautiful! It looks like you’re doing everything right! Thank you for sharing part of your life with us. You have motivated and inspired me!
P.S. You have me totally hooked on The Oil Cleansing Method! Thanks! : )
Andrea says
Thanks Heather! Glad you’re using the oil cleansing method… AND that you have been more motivated 🙂 Spring is a great time to be motivated to do a little extra cleaning and organizing!
Kristin says
She is beautiful!!!
Jennifer says
Where did you get her onesies with the month on them or did you make them?
Andrea says
Jennifer, they are actually just plain white onesies that I “edit” via the computer {I use Picnik.com to edit them}. It’s really easy… and of course, clutter free 🙂
Crystal @ Blissful Homemaking says
I was wondering the same thing! She is so precious. Makes me have baby fever again, LOL.