4 weeks and growing

Leah had her one month check up at the pediatrician the other day. She did great! Little Birdie weighed in at 9 lbs, 12 oz. She grew an inch and a half, and is now 21 1/2 inches long. That put her smack dab in the middle for her age, as she is in the 55th percentile for both. Her teeny head was a shock! Looks like Leah got blessed with a nice small head, and not the Pankow cabesa! The circumference was in the 25th percentile. I am thrilled that it seems she has NOT inherited my huge gourd. Haha.
The doctor said Leah has amazing muscle tone and holds her head up and bears leg weight much much better than most one month olds. She thinks she will sit up and crawl early, and said to watch her closely for rolling over in the next month. Ahh! We were also told she follows objects better and is more alert than most kiddos at 4 weeks. Looks like she may have inherited her father's brain, after all! :)
Best of all, the pediatrician said she is very healthy, and seems happy and content. We are so blessed to have our HEALTHY baby girl!

One Month Old!

Leah has been a part of our crazy family for a month now. I find myself having a hard time recalling what it was like not knowing and loving this little person. She has fit it to our lives so seamlessly, and has been a blessing in every way. It is not that I struggle to remember the woman I was before holding the title of "Leah's Mom". I still know myself, and will continue to BE that outgoing, social person for the rest of my life. With that said, though, I feel like I have known my daughter my whole life. Taking in her sweet smell and loving on that darling face is joyful beyond words. She is a wonderful little lady for so many reasons!

(Insert stolen idea from a dear friend's blog... Thanks, Chelsea!)

Little Leah Bird, at one month, you:

- Still have a full head or gorgeous red hair, already making old women jealous!

- Have smiled at us a couple of fleeting times

- Get the hiccups a ton

- Love to eat and sleep- my kinda girl!

- Fart like a man

- Have crystal blue eyes and peach fuzz on your ears

- Have been passed around to about a million visitors, and you have been a very good girl

- Hate your car seat for about a second, then fall fast asleep

- Enjoy being swaddled at bedtime

- Have enjoyed a lot of walks and outings so far

- Cry like a machine gun when you are upset- too cute

- Pee when we change you, so you wear a lot of outfits!

- Have had play dates with lots of little friends

- Have the most smoochable cheecks and neck rolls

- Are a very content, easy baby with a great disposition

- Have earned a bunch of nicknames, but LiLi and Birdie have stuck

- Bring so much joy into our lives. We love you more than we thought possible!!!

You would think we are TORTURING her!

We have been blessed with a very content, snuggly, good baby... but you would never know it from these! Is it wrong that we think she is adorable when she cries? :)

First Photo Shoot!

Lessons I want my daughter to learn...

Although my Leah is a mere two weeks old, I have already found in my heart so many hopes and dreams for my baby girl, and have designed in my head the "perfect" person using traits from those who love her. Leah, My Love, our wish for you is that you can learn from the many, many people around you. You are so loved, and you have so many people in your life to support and love you as you become the girl you want to be!

Here is, in my opinion, the recipe for just that.... the very best qualities of the very best people we know!

If you get your Daddy's true compassion and brains, you will end up with a heart of gold and a intense love of learning, just like him.

Inherit your Nonni's gift of listening and ability to always laugh, and you will be a wonderful friend to everyone around you.

Your fashion sense MUST come from your Glamma. She will, no doubt, teach you all about shoes and jewels (with a lot of Science lessons mixed in)!

Get your work ethic from your Papo, and you will always feel accomplished and proud of yourself. A little bit of his sarcasm won't hurt, either. :)

Although you are not around her often, my wish is that you get Nana's deep faith and belief in God.

May your sense of humor come from your Uncle Jim, the funniest person I know. He can turn any situation into a funny one.

Find quiet confidence and sweetness in the personality of your Uncle Joko.

Aunt Cait can teach you all about the world of literature and how to appreciate learning. She takes the nerd gene to a new level! :)

Your G-Pa will, no doubt, show you how to cook a mean meal, and maybe even how to ride the Harley!

Kayli, Emmy and Caden will teach you how to laugh, smile, and bring joy to the world.

Let Isabella and Makayla (and their wonderful mommies) help you to learn how to be a true friend.

Aunt Beth and Uncle Mike will school you in the world of sports. Sorry, with the exception of the Cubs, we are no good at that!

Aunt Nancy will show you how to explore the world around you! She already has big plans for you!

Aunt Peg will always be around to giggle with you and will show you that it is a good thing to show your emotions!

May all of your "Aunties" and "Uncles" show you that friends can be family, too. You do not only have two amazing families, but a group of friends who love one another like only a family can.

The one and only thing I hope you get from me is a deep appreciation for the people in your life and a need to give and recive that love. Each and every day, I want you to know how very blessed you are to have so much love, joy, and laughter all around you, and to REALLY appreciate it . Leah, you have every opportunity to grow into the person YOU want to be with the help of all of these people. Take chances, ask questions, explore your world, and never lose sight of the importance of love in your life.

Here are a few of those very people who love you oh-so much!!!