Helen Claire Weekly

Happy 4 week birthday, Helen Claire.  This week has been a big one for you!  We love your independent personality.  When you eat, you want to do it all by yourself with no help, and you are so ready to be able to hold your head up.  You work so hard at it, and sometimes, you go a little too far and think you are bigger than you actually are.  You love to lift your head and move your neck around.  Before long, you will be able to do it all by yourself.  You look more and more like Daddy everyday, and mommy loves how cuddly you are in the mornings and your blue eyes.  You are a sweet baby and we love you so much.

Last Thursday, I think she started a growth spurt.  She wanted to eat ALL THE TIME , but she couldn't get settled and she was more fussy than normal.  After a few days, that was better, and lots of her newborn clothes were too small.  The only explanation I can come up with is that she was growing.  Jonathan has given her a new nickname, Chug, like those fat little milk bottles, because she is growing so much and has such chubber little cheeks.  

We have also discovered this week that she LOVES to be outside.  We knew she was happy when she was outside, but this week, we realized that if she is fussing, she will calm down if we walk around outside for a little while.   It works like a charm.  She also will look out the window while she eats.  I don't know what she is looking at, but she loves to just stare out the window.  

Friday night, she slept for six hours straight.  Can I tell you what a good night's sleep that felt like?  We haven't been that lucky again, but she is definitely getting better at sleeping for longer periods of time, and it seems like she has her days and nights worked out.  I know she is trying really hard, and at only four weeks old, that is good enough for me. 

For July 4th, my mom, Papa, Granny and Aunt Laurie came to see us since we couldn't go home.  We were so happy to see them.  Then, on Tuesday, mom and Helen Claire had a photo shoot in the yard.  They did such a good job.  Tuesday night, Aunt Vickie came to town for her annual girls trip and stayed with us until Thursday.  Helen Claire LOVES that Aunt Vickie makes funny faces at her to make her smile, and she had some good sleep with her favorite Auntie.  

Today, I had to take her to an ultrasound appointment for her hip, to make sure she does not have the same hip abnormality that I was born with.  After a little trip to Children's South, everything checked out just fine-  her hips are perfect- yay!  

We are loving her more and more everyday and can't wait to see what she'll be doing next week.