Hard to believe, but we’ve had this little gem for over 13 weeks. As I type now, she coos and smiles at me. I read my writing out loud to her, so she listens to my blog posts and the new chapters of my memoir. Eventually, she’ll be reading, but as for now, she hears about baking, about family, about magical places we’ll one day go.
She gains strength and muscle control each day. Now when I hold her, she keeps her head up without any support. It won’t be long before she can sit by herself. On her 12th week birthday, she rolled over. Once for me and once for Ryan. More and more independence, which makes me both sad and proud. Motherhood, I guess!
I weighed her this morning on my bathroom scale, and she’s coming in a little over 14 lbs. She nurses all the time during the day. Probably every hour and a half. I don’t mind these times we spend together. She smiles now when she sees me lift up my shirt, and it makes all those difficult weeks of breastfeeding worth it. I wouldn’t trade this exchange for anything.
As for sleep? It also improved dramatically during the third month. She sleeps from ten to four without waking, and then we nurse once, and she goes back to sleep until seven. I’m more rested than I’ve been since delivering her, although I still can’t dip into that deep sleep I knew before. I’ve been told that sleep is never the same once you have children, and I think this is true. My first thought on waking? Her, always her.
And Lucy has found her voice. She babbles, she squeals, she yells. Even now, as I am trying to write and read these words out loud to her, she’s piping in with her own opinions. We have a feeling we’ll have a very talkative little girl. Margot is still her best friend and rarely leaves her side. Cricket is slowly slowly warming up to her.
I knew that being a mother would change my life, but I didn’t anticipate how this child would work her way into the deepest parts of me. I feel like my soul is divided amongst two bodies, and I carry her inside of me as well. What began in the womb now continues in the heart.
A huge thanks to my cousin, Andrea Robinson, who captured these beautiful photographs. She has a facebook page for her photography. I know she’d love a visit from you all!
she is so beautiful.
She is so beautiful and adorable and just perfect, Monet! You are so blessed 🙂
Oh my goodness, 3 months already?! That girl is growing leaps and bounds, and I am so happy for you and Ryan! She’s so beautiful. Glad to hear you’re getting more rest now, too! Thanks for sharing, sweet friend. Hope to see you three in November!
Those are some beautiful pictures. Andrea does amazing work! I love seeing Lucy’s personality really shining through and progressing each week. I’m glad to hear about the sleep but worried about the quality. I’ve heard the same about that issue from other moms. Have a terrific weekend!
I am so proud of both of you! Watching you and Ryan become parents is such a blessing that I will always treasure. Monet I love your writing and your ups and downs of motherhood! it is the most challenging and rewarding thing you will ever do and it effects generations and eterinty. You are already a great mother because you love and care for her above all things. The one thing you will always be is a mother and no matter how old your child is you will remember all the steps the two of have taken over the course of a lifetime. It is a job that never ends just changes and you will hold your children close to your heart for the rest of your life. What a gift you are giving your daughter by writing about your lives together it will be something she will cherish as she gets older and when she becomes a mother. I am so proud to be your mother and to watch you mother your precious daughter and my grandaughter. I love you more each day!
I am so so happy for you three. Lucy gets more beautiful day by day, and these kind of posts are so so cute. Thanks for making my day a bit better! :-*
She’s so precious..and love the name!
I actually had the best sleep those first few weeks. Sure it was interrupted, but at least it was deep! Now I can’t seem to get into a deep sleep. Every rustle, every cough wakes me and I have a hard time getting back to sleep!
Aw!
Oh she is such a gorgeous baby! I just love these photos….
Your baby girl is beautiful! Your photos are amazing too – what a special time!
Three months already! Amazing how fast it goes by…
She is gorgeous, and so are you!
The first picture stole my heart, the one of you smiling made me smile, and the last picture just steals my heart all over again! What a beautiful, happy, talkative girl 🙂 I’m glad to hear sleeping has been easier, and I hope your sleep quality catches up with quantity. And you’ve been baking and cooking up a storm – and writing! – which is simply wonderful. Love these little slices of life 🙂
so beautifully written.. really love how you describe motherhood, i contemplate it. on one hand, no sleep, on the other, your body is divided in 2. it’s hard to imagine unless you feel it.
She is unbelievably precious. To be honest, I’ve always been a bit turned off by the idea of settling down and starting a family…but your beautiful anecdotes just tug on my heartstrings, as cheesy as that sounds.
Hi Monet,
Lucy is just so beautiful and so precious!
Ups and downs are all part of being a mother. You are doing great! Hugs to Lucy!
Beautiful photos of your daughter. They grow quick, don’t they?
Beautiful, beautiful child. Lovely photos – you’ll both enjoy looking at them when Lucy gets a little older.
Lucy is so cute! Enjoy every moment, because she will grow up fast!
Monet! Oh my goodness–I am so happy for you and send much love to your family! ox
The images of Lucille are gorgeous. I love the one of her lying in a briefcase with the dog beside her! xx
Hi Monet, oh…my, she is so cute and adorable. She is very photogenic. Excellent click!
Have a nice week a ahead.
I can see Lucy’s personality blossoming right before my eyes. Motherhood becomes you, my friend…I’m so happy for you. xoxo
OMY Monet she is absolutely beautiful and lovely!!
what beautiful are the babies!
I love when my twins were Little so cute!!
this age is adorable!
xo
She is going to be a beauty just like you my friend, what a gorgeous cutie pie 😀
You are super lucky!
Cheers
CCU
This is my first time here so Congratulations!!! Lucy is beautiful and precious 🙂
I’m so glad I found your blog (thanks for commenting on mine so I could find you). I love your writing very much and I know I can learn a lot from you!
The photos are beautiful, especially the one of the two of you in the rocking chair. I can’t believe it’s been 3 months already! Time passes by so quickly, enjoy all those precious first moments.
Monet, Lucy is SO incredibly beautiful! How in the world do you capture all of these amazing photos?! I used to try getting pictures of my nieces and nephews but I was never quick enough to catch that elusive smile or giggle. Margot is a total sweetheart too.
I love when you put up pics of Lucy!! She’s so cute. Do you think she looks like both of you?
Awww, one picture better than the one before. That last one in the suitcase and Margot by her side! It’s so peaceful in this blog when you post pictures of Lucille.