Arden at 5 weeks

Time has really flown. I cant believe that it has been 5 weeks already. Arden is growing so fast. I still look at her and cant believe that she is mine. Each day I see her personality forming more and more. She is a very laidback baby but she does have a bit of a temper! She definitely will let me know if she isnt happy about something.

I think that it is amazing how a baby knows its mother. If she knows nothing else, she definitely knows her mommy. I never realized that just walking into a room would cause Arden to react. It's true that sometimes nothing is wrong with a baby but that they just want their mother. So often Arden will be crying and my family will try to console her, but she wont quiet until I hold her. It is the ultimate expression of love that a baby shows to its mother and vice versa. I feel so blessed to be experiencing this phenomenon.

OK I have received requests to start to post Arden's weekly stats again. I will go ahead and do that and then post pictures of Arden at 5 weeks, including some in her Easter dress.

5 weeks:

That smile lighting up Arden's face is the real thing. I can tell it's a social smile (as opposed to gas) when she uses her entire face to tell me she's pleased.

By this time Arden can focus both eyes on an object and has begun to prefer more complex designs, colors, and shapes. She is now noticing the toys that dangle above her carseat and on her bouncer. She can track movement, which means that a simple rattle passed in front of her face can transfix her. Or you can play eyes-to-eyes — move very close to her face and slowly nod your head from side to side. She'll follow you raptly, and you may even get another smile, or chuckle, out of her.

Arden's 1st Day of School

On Friday, Ari attended her first day of law school. Well I guess that isnt exactly true considering that she has technically completed almost a full year in utero. But this was her 1st day "on the outside." I brought her since I only had one class. She was very well behaved as usual. Thos who saw her said that they fell in love! She was glad to meet some of her aunties and uncles. We ended up staying a lot longer than I intended. We were there all day. The day was especially long for Ari because she also attended the Con Law class that I teach at the Jr High school at 8am. The kids were glad to see her. Needless to say, she was quite worn out once we got home and she was cranky all night and the next day (her naps had been interrupted all day by onlookers and well wishers.)

All in all the day was good despite the fact that Arden peed on me TWICE!! Argh. Anyway, here are some pics of Ari with some of her honorary Aunties at her first day of law school.

Bath Time!!

Arden had her first bath the day her cord fell off. She was 12 days old, and she absolutely hated it!!! It was really a funny sight although the baby screamed tlike she was being tortured. Her subsequent baths have been less traumatic and she almost enjoyed them. Lucky for her she doesnt have to get baths often because the doc said to bathe her only once or twice a week for now (her skin is sensitive and it would be too much). I just wrote this post because I wanted to post the pics of her first bath!!

"Daycare"

Ari did very well yesterday with Grammy. She slept most of the time that I was gone, awaking only to eat. I am glad she wasnt too upset or fussy. Grammy had fun taking care of her and I am glad that she is able to. She really wants to have things to do during the day and she is so excited to have her baby.

Arden slept all night last night. Well not quite. But she slept for a long time. She fell asleep at 9 pm and didnt get up again until 3:30 am! Then she went right back to sleep. Was up at 6:30 to eat and went back to sleep until 10! It was a good morning for me because I could get dressed and shower with no worries about her crying.

So far she has been a very good baby. She very rarely cries. Actually this past Sunday afternoon/evening was the only day that she has truly been fussy. I'm not sure what her problem was, but she has since been fine.

Ok I am off to go home to get my little one! YAY!!!

Back to School

Well today is my first day away from my baby girl. I had to return to school today. :( I cant say that I am glad to be back. I miss Arden already and I have only been gone from her for a little more than an hour! I know she is in good hands. Grammy is keeping her and Auntie C took the day off from work to assist. I hope she doesnt give them a hard time. She was fussy all day yesterday. Maybe she sensed my imminent absence. Shes still so little that she hasnt mastered (or even slightly grasped) the ideas of self soothing or sucking a pacifier for comfort. I wonder what she will do today in my absence.

The good news is that I only have 1 1/2 weeks of school left so I wont have to leave her for long. The other good thing is that I only have long days away from her on Monday when I am at school from 10-3. But on Wed and Fri I only have one class and on Tues and Thurs I am there from 11-2. So it shouldnt be too bad.

I'll update you on how the little one does on her first day of daycare. But I can already tell you that mommy is sad to have to leave her baby girl. :( Oh well I'll get over it just as she will have to. We'll be ok....... I still dont want to be in this dreaded school though.