Three Months- The Magical "THERE" Mark

What is it about that benchmark? That moment in the world of new parents when they finally feel like they're... there. Ok, I doubt many ever really feel like they're there when it comes to parenthood but when it comes to those first few months, I've repeatedly heard other moms say:

"Oh the first three months are the worst! But then, everything seems to fall into place."

Or

"You just have to get through those first three months!"

Or

"Once they hit three months..."

Etc, etc, etc.

Well, that mark has been reached! Has it been magical? Truth be told, this parenting thing has actually been pretty magical from the beginning (notice I didn't say "easy," and there have been plenty of good and not-so-good days, of course!), but I can definitely see some patterns becoming better established now. Our sweet Maelee girl is getting a bit better to read and dare I say, a bit more predictable. Maybe there's something to this 3 month thing?

(some of our favorite shots from her recent "3 Month Photo Shoot")

She seems to know what to expect for bedtime, although the actual time definitely fluctuates depending on what's going on, and she seems content to follow a fairly regular sequence throughout the day- "Eat. Active. Sleep." And repeat. The length of her daytime naps is certainly improving (will we ever be "there" in that regard???), but we thankfully subscribe to the routine over schedule line of thought anyway, otherwise the fact that each day is totally different would drive us crazy. (So maybe some days it does a little, but not all... I swear!)

Kudos to us for raising (hehe, so far) such an adaptable, good-natured kid?

HA!

Please do not get me wrong. I'm definitely not a believer that a baby's happiness/grumpiness, predictability, sensitivity, calmness/hyper-ness (?), crying amount, or anything personality-wise for that matter can be attributed to anything a parent does or doesn't do right. Thank goodness, too! Cause I'm sure we've made at least 1,000 mistakes already...

Sure, I think parents should get some credit when their older child has good manners and treats people well, etc, and there are definitely those extreme cases of neglect and abuse that could turn any baby into a sullen, sad child BUT, largely, I think babies are simply born with certain predispositions regarding temperament, inclinations, and tendencies. I'm obviously no expert, but I sometimes have to chuckle a little inside (and roll my eyes) whenever it seems parents want to take credit for their "angel" baby. And this is coming from someone who thinks their daughter is one of the sweetest, most easy going little darlings there is! I'm singing the praises to the Good Lord (and not myself) is all I'm saying! :)

(Note to self: don't get sucked in reading all the "mom-comments" in the Baby Center emails, otherwise some serious blog-ranting is sure to follow!)

But now that I've got that little disclaimer out of the way, here are some pictures throughout her third month, in chronological order:

Daddy's girl, hanging out with the Sullivans

First "Mommy Group" Outing at Central Park!

Enjoying the fresh air

"Cute Outfit Photo Shoot" later that day :)

Big day for sure- holding rattle later that night with daddy!
She has really been noticing and using those hands this month- so fun to watch:)

And somewhere during this month she started to gain control over that head!

She also got her first round of shots and didn't shed a single tear!
I think it was cause she liked the cute band-aid..

More playdates with friend, Teegan, and here with new friend, Dorothy.
She missed her times with Blake, though!

Again, "Cute Outfit Photo Shoot" earlier that same day :)

Enjoying time in her Aunt Kim's lap during her quick visit from NJ!

Big smiles for her Nana-Lin during her weekend visit

So happy together!

And mommy and daddy got to enjoy a fun date night while Nana was visiting
at a super yummy tapas restaurant, Pil Pil!

Happy 4th of July!

Our patriotic little lady


Just HAD to show you the sweet ruffles in the back! :)

Smiling for her "Auntie D" after rooting on her team
(the NL in the World Cup. They lost. She didn't seem to mind)

With Big Boy friends, James and Jack

In her jammies at the NY Philharmonic "Concert in the Park"
(mommy and daddy naively thought she'd just sleep in the stroller- ha!)

Little sweetie fell asleep in the middle of the last song :)

She didn't seem to mind the music, though!
(Hmm, wonder where she gets that from...)


Hanging out with Teegan

Grabbing at her toys and bonding with her doll!

The three big things about month three? Head. Hands. And "Haa's." It has been fun to watch her hold that head steady, move those hands like crazy, and "ha," "ga," and coo at us for huge chunks of time. We love it!!!

Once again, it took over a week to actually get this post published but the goal of sending out the announcements by 3 months has been reached! Speaking (typing?) of which, here are a few of our favorite pics from her 2-month bday, several that made it onto the announcements!






Below is a slideshow of some 2 month and 3 month "photo shoots" as well as one with more 3 month pics. There's also a link to a recent video which showcases her sweet vocal skills in a conversation with mommy.

Steve and I still can't believe that as intensely as we loved her the very first moment we saw her, we seem to just love her more and more each day. Crazy. And it really does seem to get more and more fun. We "got through those first three months" and are excited for what's in store with month four!!! (Hmmm... maybe I found a new cheesy title for the next post? J/K.)

Slideshow of 2nd and 3rd month "photo shoots:"



Slideshow of 3rd month:



Video:
http://vimeo.com/13468745
password: Maelee5