Mila's First Christmas

Although Mila has no clue what is going on with Christmas yet, this year was so much more exciting, not only for us, but the whole family; it's so fun to have a little kid around during the holidays.

Robert, Mila, Roscoe and I celebrated our Christmas together on Christmas Eve.  First we went to church with my parents and then came back to the house for dinner and presents. Believe it or not, Roscoe was the first one to open a present.

he got a stuffed lamb and a bone shaped like a candy cane from his girlfriend/next door neighbor dogber, Stella

Then it was Mila's turn to open her gifts before we put her to bed.  Everyone asked me what I was buying Mila for Christmas and at first I wasn't going to buy her anything! Heck, anytime I see something she needs I want, I just buy it but then I thought maybe she should have SOMETHING under the tree.

Mila's big item this year was the Bumbo seat, which magically allows babies to sit up, even if they don't know to do so developmentally yet.  A funny little story about this is that we got this seat from my sister's mother-in-law at my shower in Kansas City but I returned it (at her great suggestion!) so I didn't have to carry it on the plane with plans to re-buy it once I got back to California. In a freak timing incident the seats were recalled to add a restraint belt so I haven't been able to find them ANYWHERE until recently.

mommy's favorite gift

new outfit from our next door neighbor, Luci

pretty new dress from daddy (the first outfit he's picked our for her on his own!)

Mila and her new toy from my co-worker, Rosa

happy baby on Christmas #1

Robert and I also exchanged gifts but we didn't take any pictures because who really wants to see that :)

Christmas morning started out great with Robert, Mila and I all waking up at the same time and spending a few hours together.  I started the day by snuggling Mila on the couch, watching the Yule log, listening to Christmas Carols and crying a little when thinking about how much I love my life. I'm such a sap nowadays.

Then the three of us drove up to Palmdale to celebrate Christmas with Robert's parents and grandparents.  This is how I entertained myself on the drive up:

Until she fell asleep on me...

We were glad that Mila was able to spend more time with Great Grandma Bunker and Great Grand Pops; they don't travel away from their home much so I am glad they were able to come over for the day. The time they spend with Mila is so important and absolutely precious.

an adorable picture of Pop checking on Mila <3

 Mila LOVED the dancing Santa Claus that sang Feliz Navidad!  We can't let her forget her heritage!

 

SUPER soft blanket from grandma....I need one for myself!

As to be expected, Mila loved the tissue paper as much, if not more, than the actual presents.

Hello Kitty doll from Great Grandma Bunker

The sweetest gift of the day came from Daniel, Robert's brother. He got her her first doll: a Cabbage Patch doll. And not just any Cabbage Patch doll but the 2012 special edition, which is special since that's the year she was born.  I can picture her being a little bit older dragging that doll around just as I did with my Cabbage Patch dolls.

Tio Daniel and Mila

We had a GREAT time at Christmas with the Rodriguez'; we all got such great gifts but, more importantly, we had a great time spending the day together.  

The Fisher side of our family celebrated Christmas on December 26th because my sister and Bret flew in town that day.  We opened presents and then had yummy chili that my dad made and my other sister (Andrea) and second set of parents (Sally & Al) came over to celebrate Christmas as well. It was the first time all of us had been together since my wedding in September 2010.

We all received really awesome presents but, of course, Mila was the star of the show and got the most adorable presents.

my heart belongs to Kansas onesie from Aunt Sissy and Uncle Bret...you bet it does baby doll!

red baby Toms from papa and nana!

Mila's 1st Christmas was a great success; as I anticipated, she was spoiled rotten but I think everyone that bought her something loved buying it more than she loved receiving it! It was a perfect Christmas for me because it was all about family and I got to see all of mine (Fisher/Rodriguez/Brown/Briggs), with the exception of my two grandmas, but at least I got to talk to them so that's better than nothing.  As I get older I am beginning to realize it's the time spent with others, rather than the gifts received <3

I know the Christmases will only get better as Mila gets older and understands what's going on but there's something about a baby's first Christmas that just melts your heart.

first Christmas bib from great grandma fisher

Happy 3 Months!

Happy 3 months Mila!

3 Month Stats

You haven't been to the doctor since your 7 week checkup so here are my estimates.

Weight: 13 pounds,  8 ounces (71%) (based on me weighing myself and then weighing again while holding you)

Length: 24 inches (71%) (as best a person can measure a wiggly baby with a giant, heavy duty tape measure)

You are still on a schedule, although we aren't super strict with it, rather using it as a guide. 
 

Eating: you are currently taking in six bottles; three of breastmilk during the day and three of formula at night.  You have started taking 4oz during almost every feeding and sometimes downing 5-6oz during your dream feed.  We dropped one of your feeds this month so you are now eating at 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10:30pm.  

Bedtime: your bedtime is between 7:30pm and 8pm but you almost always are fussy and ready to start your bedtime routine right after your 7pm bottle.  I am SO happy to report that you started sleeping through the night this past month!  While some nights you can go the full 8 hours from your dream feed to your first feed of the day, other times you wake up around 4:30am and need a bottle to settle you down, it all depends on how much you eat during the day.

Awake:  you are still doing the same activities during your wake time, including batting at Sassy Bug and the dangles from your activity mat. Your swing is mostly used for sleeping or soothing now, you don't like to sit in it while you're awake anymore. You are sitting still for a couple of books and love when mama sings you songs, most of which she makes up as she goes (i.e. Roskie the Snowman). It's only a matter of time until we get your Exersaucer out.

Naps: seriously, girlfriend, you have to be the worst napper in the world. you are supposed to stay asleep for an hour and a half and then sleep for an hour and a half....three times a day.  But sometimes you go 4-5 hours between naps! You just don't want to go down; I think you're afraid you might miss something.  Daddy says you're just like mommy.

Diapers: you are currently finishing your last package of Size 1 Pampers Swaddlers.  They are getting pretty snug and we're ready to move up to Size 2 Swaddlers, although they are pretty big on you.

Clothes: most 3 month clothes are still big on you with the 0-3 month clothes fitting the best.  I have noticed when you are in the footed pajamas they are tight lengthwise; if you grow any faster we might have to move up a size in those because your little legs are too long!

Favorites: smacking anything that hangs in front of your face (sassy bug, dangles on your activity mat, mom's hair), looking at yourself in the mirror when walking by, trying to sneak a peak at the tv when I am not looking

Development: your head control is almost perfect and when you are awake you are looking at everything within your view.  You are batting at everything that hangs in front of you and have just recently started grabbing on to objects yourself, rather than us putting them in your hand.  


My little love bug,

Happy 3 months and Merry Christmas!  This month was a fun one with you; you are growing so much every day.  In my estimates you have doubled your birth weight and you are quickly moving out of the newborn stage and looking more like a baby every day.  We decorated for Christmas this past month but you weren't very impressed.  We have colored lights on our tree this year but I don't think you can make them out as well as the white lights.  We had our Christmas pictures taken and it is so nice to look over and see a snapshot of our perfect little family.

Right after you turned two months old we started putting links and rattles in your hands and you would hold on to them and shake them; we thought that was the coolest thing ever.  However just this past week you have started grabbing on to the dangles from your activity mat all on your own!  You continue to impress us every day :)

This past month you also started semi-sleeping through the night, not every single night but most.

We took you to see Santa Claus but you were not impressed; you didn't cry though, so I can't complain.

One day last week when you were home with your dad you gave him your first giggle! He texted me at work and was so excited and said it was the cutest sound he had ever heard.  He tried to get you to do it again when I got home but you didn't do it and now I am dying to hear!

Last week there was a horrible tragedy in Connecticut that brought the whole country to tears and made all parents appreciate their kids a little more. I was luckily enough to be off work that day and I didn't put you down once.

without knowing it, Shawna and I spent the day in the exact same position: being so very thankful and snuggling our babies

You still hate doing tummy time but I have already began bribing you by allowing you to watch cartoons for the 5minutes you are on your stomach.  It's the only way I can get you to not cry! Even then, though, I think your longest "no-crying" streak is about one and a half minutes.

just catching a little Backyardigans

get out of my face MOM

Your morning wake ups have to be the cutest things I have ever seen.  I love catching it on video:

Your dad is going to kill me when he sees I put this on the Internet for the whole world to see but it absolutely melts my heart!  I had to include it so you can see it one day.

I think you are in the very initial stages of teething because you are drooling everywhere and putting everything in your mouth. I gave you Sophie the Giraffe and so far you are not impressed with it; at this point it just seems like an overpriced dog toy...

I also tried putting you in your jumper but you're still too small for it.

You started noticing your hands a couple weeks ago but just a few days ago you REALLY started noticing and studying them:

You smile all the time now and get so smiley when you see me or daddy.  We are still calling you baby doll and pretty girl, but also pretty much every other term of endearment out there: snug bug, love bug, sweet pea, peanut and many more.

Love,
Mommy

none of the baby hats fit that big brain head of yours

As you may remember from this post, Roscoe is adjusting to the lack of attention he is receiving nowadays.  Just as he sat, staring at Robert a couple weeks ago, this past week I woke up to this; I hope he's not plotting to suffocate me while I sleep.

Daddy's first time getting you to nap in your crib

 

Hi dad! Took your spot!

Andrea and Mike are in town for the Christmas holiday and came and stayed the night!

 

thanks for the lion Auntie Andrea!