Happy Three Month Birthday

Dear Valor,

Happy three month birthday...a little late. You were three months on 12/2!

Two Sundays ago was our monumental "last day" together. After being a stay-at-home mom for the last three months, I'm now back to work. Our three blissful yet busy months flew by much more quickly than I could have imagined. Some of the time was spent visiting you in the NICU and lots of time was spent on the couch healing as we snuggled and let the house become a mess. I would not change a thing.

I know it sounds so cliche, but you're getting so big! Now that you're three months, I'm back to work. Where has the time gone? I completely cherish every moment that I get to spend with you. In front of my eyes, you have transformed from a newborn into a little baby. I just love getting to know you more and more each day. You've started smiling, and that is my favorite. The whole world fades away when you smile - it's all consuming. This last month, along with smiling, you've discovered your hands. You love sucking and slobbering all over your fists. You've also started chatting away and sticking out your silly tongue while laying on a blanket, kicking your feet.

In the past month we started you in physical therapy for torticollis and we exercise everyday at home. You're doing a great job, and at your last session, the therapist said to keep working and come back in three weeks! Sometimes at home you hate doing the exercises, but when we go to your appointments, you're a big show off. Tummy time is still a very big struggle but we're working on this too.

As for your weight, you don't have an appointment until January - a four month checkup. We are thinking you may be around 11 pounds! You've just grown out of the newborn size clothes and diapers. You're now wearing 0-3 month outfits and size 1 diapers.

We still don't have a routine, except for bedtime. The nighttime wakings vary - up from one to three times - you eat and go right back to sleep - I don't mind getting up with you one bit. During the day, you sometimes nap in our arms but sometimes if we can put you down without crying, you nap in the MamaRoo. At night you've been sleeping in your own nursery in the big boy crib.

You went on your first road trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving. You did great in the car, just needing to stop for feedings. You got to see your great grandparents, meet your second cousins and your great uncles.

How are you already three months old? What happened to my tiny four pound baby? You're doing exactly what you're supposed to do sweet boy...growing, learning, and thriving. Baby boy, you bring endless joy. I still spend a lot of time just staring at you. You are so special and I am reminding myself to cherish every moment with you, because these days with my little Valor are numbered.

I love you — always and forever,
Mama

Month 1 | Month 2