Scarlett and Rowan,
We made it through the “fourth trimester” and things are getting really fun now! You two are just the sweetest, cutest and best babies, and you really make being your mom pretty awesome.
This month you both really shifted from newborn to baby. You stay awake longer, are very engaged and interested in your toys and you absolutely LOVE attention from any person who will give it to you. I try to get you on your tummies for tummy time at least twice a day and while neither of you really dislike it, you don’t seem very close to being able to really get your head up. But I remember with your sister that it kind of happened overnight. Your grandma thinks that Scarlett is going to roll over soon, so we’ll see!
You’re both growing and Scarlett is nearly ready for her 6 month clothes now. You’re both in size 1 diapers but we’re going through our last pack so I’m going to move you up to size 2 next. Scarlett continues to be a bigger eater than Rowan and as a result, is much bigger. Rowan has a new nickname – Peanut. You’re both still sleeping in our room in the bassinets but I think we’re going to move you this weekend to your room. I’m ready and I think you’re ready too (plus you’ve basically outgrown the bassinets).
Both of you are incredibly happy and smiley babies – it doesn’t take much more than a look in your direction to get you to smile when you’re in the mood (which is often!). You love when I sing to you and I’ve recently started reading you books as well. You both found your voices this month and love to coo back at us when we talk to you. You sit in the bouncer with a few toys strapped to it at least once or twice a day (with your favorite toy being the mermaid with the crazy hair – you stare and smile at it like she’s talking to you or something!). I still feel like you’re not getting the amount of attention that your sister got, but I keep telling myself that it’s normal for any second or third child.
Part of the reason you probably get a little less attention is because you are both really chill babies! For the most part you fall asleep on your own without being rocked or nursed to sleep (especially if I’m careful not to overstimulate you when you’ve been up too long). I’ve been try into get you to sleep in the crib at least one nap a day and the other naps you sleep in the Rock n’ Play, swing or in your car seats on the go. Rowan still likes to be held more than Scarlett and will go through little fussy periods in the evening where she demands it. Scarlett likes to be held upright and bounced on our legs. If you’re awake or wake up during one of my workouts, I bring you closer to me and give you some love while I do the moves.
Speaking of sleep….we got really, really lucky with you two. You’re both (knock on wood) mostly sleeping through the night. We’re still at a late bedtime so I wouldn’t consider it fully sleeping through the night yet (I really consider that an 11-12 hour night), but right now you often go to bed around 9 and will sleep until 6-7 a.m. and once even 8! There have been several nights over the last week where you BOTH do this, one night where you both slept 10 hours ( I felt like a NEW WOMAN!). Your sister was a good sleeper too and she had done a couple 8 hour stretches by 3 months. We aren’t doing any type of schedule – we just feed on demand and let you sleep when you are ready. Ideally you’ll both wake up around the same time in the morning so that you are kind of following the same routine throughout the day but that doesn’t always happen.
The only thing I can point to that may help you sleep so long is the fact that I am mostly pumping during the day and you get bottles (since we have to supplement, we save the formula for the last bottle before bed) so you are getting all of the food you need during the day and therefore don’t need to wake up at night. We also generally put you to bed drowsy but awake. We have Scarlett sleeping in the Merlin Suit (it will fit in the Halo Bassinet – we aren’t using the Dock a Tot anymore) but Rowan is still in the swaddle (Merlin won’t fit in her bassinet) so I’m not sure how much the Merlin actually makes a difference (though Scarlett is the better sleeper now, how things change!). Besides that, I think we are just lucky.
This month was a fun one as we had a lot of birthday parties (including your cousin Molly’s first birthday!), Father’s Day and 4th of July! Going to outings with two of you and your sister is quite an adventure – I swear it looks like we’re packing for a vacation – but worth it to get out and enjoy time with friends and family. We usually bring both car seats into the house if it’s a house party and use the stroller if it’s an outdoor party. I used the Ergo a few times to carry one of you but have basically stopped using the twin carrier at this point. You give us a break and usually one of you will sleep through most of the party which makes it a lot easier to manage since your sister is pretty demanding of our attention.
Your dad and I go on our weekly Thursday night date nights and lately we’ve been going to the new tasting room in town (St. Archer). We actually went for five weeks in a row and the owner bought us a round during the last time! We roll in our giant stroller and set up for some beer. You two usually sleep right through it. We also went on our first date without you – my friend Bree watched the two of you while we went out and your sister was with Nana and Boo (she stays at Nana and Boo’s house every other Saturday night).
Life is good – it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. I’m so thankful to be able to be home with you and work part time from home. My maternity leave would be up by now and I’d be be away from you 50+ hours a week. I’m so thankful for my coaching business and the flexibility it gives me.
I have a feeling things are going to get even more fun in the coming months and I can’t wait to see what happens!
Love you!
Mom
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