Who knew that four months could change you in such unerasable ways? The love I feel for Lucy is fierce, unlike any emotion I’ve experienced before. My body has never felt more purposeful: I wake each day to nurture this tiny, precious life. And yet my body has also never felt this exhausted: I am tired from the constant demands of parenthood…and it’s taken me four months to learn that it’s OKAY to admit it.
Lucy, however, is blossoming, and her development this last month has been particularly noticeable. She can now easily roll from her back to her stomach, and she’s almost sitting up on her own. She laughs (what a beautiful noise!) when we sing and kiss her toes. Papa has become the chief winner of laughs. Lucy has also discovered toys. A stuffed doll we like to call “Frieda” is now her constant companion.
Our little one is both passionate and observant. She wants to see the world and interact with those around her. She’s also become FIERCELY attached to mama. Our sweet cousin Laura has started to watch Lucy two mornings a week so I can work on a few projects. Laura has infinite patience for our very fussy little girl. Lucy cries and cries when I leave her now…only to erupt in smiles and giggles as soon as I hold her in my arms. While this often drives me (no, all of us) crazy, it’s also exciting to see that she’s becoming more and more human.
We’re still exclusively breastfeeding, and we’re hoping to continue to hold off on solids for another two months. She has become more interested in sitting with us during dinner and just the other night she reached out and grabbed my plate! I’m hoping that on Christmas day (exactly 6 months after she was born) we’ll be able to introduce her to food for the first time.
We also traveled to Houston this month so that Lucy could meet her namesake. My grandmother held her first great-grandchild in her arms, and we all stood there…in awe of the power of legacy. Lucy did great on her first flight, but the real medal goes to Ryan, who changed two blow-out diapers at 30,000 feet. Have I mentioned how much Lucy and I adore him? He’s the best husband and father I could have imagined.
And now to sleep (perhaps one of the more challenging aspects of first year parenthood). We started putting Lucy to bed earlier this month which did wonders for her mood. We had begun to suspect that her late evening fussiness was due to exhaustion, and so after reading several articles about sleep and infants, we began to put her down at 7:00 pm. Amazingly, she passed out right away and started sleeping through the night! Unfortunately, this gift was short-lasting because we’ve now hit what’s been termed the “4 month sleep regression.” We went from waking once a night, to sleeping through the night, to now waking up three or four times to nurse. I’m tired, and I’m also a bit cranky. But then I remind myself of the beauty of infant-hood and how quickly it all passes.
Lucille Amelia, you’re 4 months old now and you’re glorious in so many ways. The world is open and kind and waiting for you to make your mark. Our hope is that we help you find your way.
It’s so crazy how much she has grown in just these past four months! Such a beautiful little girl!
What an angel! And the picture of her with your grandmother is SO heart-melting. =) We hit the 4-month sleep regression exactly the day our little one turned 4 months old. Ugh! It stinks, but it does get better. And we’ve now taken 4 flights with baby + I’ve had to change poopy diapers on 2 of them, so i’m sending major props to your husband – it isn’t easy in that tiny airplane bathroom!
Love these Lucy pictures 🙂 She is beyond adorable!
All such beautiful pictures!
Oh, how sweet are these words for your baby! I’m impressed by the story of diapers changed at 30000 feet. Well done, Ryan!
The picture of Lucy with Grandma Lucy is worthy of a prize in photography! The blue matching color of their outfits, the serenity of the scene, the pure beauty of the moment that was captured.
really, frame that one. It is simply a perfect shot.
She is such a beautiful little miracle! It’s so sweet how much she loves you!! And the original Lucille is stunning!! What a beautiful family you have Monet 🙂
Beautiful pictures, but that last one especially melts my heart! What a gorgeous pair of smiles – like mother, like daughter! The four-month sleep regression sounds really tough (and would make me cranky, too!). I’m glad you’ve had some mornings to work on projects, although I’m sure you can’t wait to get little Lucy back in your arms!
I love these updates! Keep ’em coming 🙂
Awww.. look that last photo… She looks so happy!! Cant believe its already been 4 months
That sleep regression (ours happened at 5 months) is almost worse than in the beginning, because you have that window of good sleep before!
oh my god – Lucy is sooooooo gorgeous <3
Such beautiful pictures! Glad you’ve been adjusting so well to your life as 3. Sounds like you and Ryan are doing such a wonderful job. Lucy is one lucky baby 🙂
P.S. Love that pic of Lucy with her hair sticking up!!
I cannot believe she is already four months old! Time really does fly….. So very glad Great Grandma got a chance to meet Lucy, and the picture of the two of them is amazing. Thank you for sharing your special moments. Lucy is looking more and more like you with each new set of pictures!
I love how her hair sticks straight up! Cute!
I love seeing these pictures! I can’t believe how big she’s getting – it seems like just yesterday we were looking at her newborn photos! Have a great weekend Monet!
Hi Monet, you girl look so cute and adorable. She is a very pretty girl like her mother. :))
Have a lovely weekend.
It’s so sweet to see her so alert and engaged! As much as you can take each day as it comes- she’ll let you know when she’s ready to try food, and she’ll still happily nurse for significant time after that if you choose. And I promise- she will sleep through the night before you know it- although you’ll never stop listening in your sleep for her. So glad you made the trip to introduce Lucy to her Ggramma. My grannies both died when I was pregnant with my first and it will always make me a bit sad I never was able to place my daughters in their arms.
Believe me when I say she’s the sweetest little girl I’ve ever seen! I can only imagine what a blessing it must be to spend the time with her 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend! x
Hi, she is soc ute and sweet and it is so nice to read about her development and yours as family! Beautiful pictures, especially the one with her great-grandmother!
Ciao
Awe she is growing up one day at a time beautiful photos! I love the one where she is matching with her grandma, it’s breathtaking!! I hope you get that one framed 🙂
Monet, I totally adore all of these wonderful pictures – seems like we all cannot get enough of darling Lucille Amelia!
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!
What a little angel! Love the picture with her hair sticking up!
I love that last photo of your holding her… how beautiful!
I LOVE your Lucy updates…she is the blessing that keeps on giving. Such a precious face!!!
I’m with Liz. I love the Lucy updates! Gosh she’s growing like a weed.
Oh what a beautiful post, I love that last photo, such a sweet smile!
4 months already?!? Can someone please stop the time capsule from ticking??!? She is so so adorable!!
Great pictures! It’s so much fun hearing about Lucy and how she’s growing up. Really fun post – thanks.
what a beautiful post, and what a beautiful young lady. family is so important so this was a lovely, touching post. i can’t wait for motherhood! 🙂
the hobbit kitchen x
Your words for her are like beautiful poetry. 🙂 I love seeing pictures of her.
What a gorgeous girl. Seriously, that smiling face is too much.
She is precious 🙂 Such a sweet baby!
Aaw, these are such precious photos Monet, Lucy is absolutely adorable!