One Month

My darling little Luigi Limoncello, you are one month old today. How time has flown. You are such a good boy. You really only cry when you're hungry or your diaper is dirty or you're gassy. On occasion you will be fussy for 20 minutes or so, which for your age is pretty darn incredible. But usually as soon as we figure out what's wrong it's like a switch was flipped and you were never upset. You can go from purple faced and screaming to pale and calm in literally one second flat.

There are so many details I want to burn into my brain so I never forget.

I love the way you used to grab the strap of my tank top when we nursed in the football hold in the first few days you were home. It felt like you were trying to hold me close. Now you tend to wrap your little arms around my breast like you're hugging it, leaning your cheek on your lower arm. Of course sometimes it takes you a while to settle down to eat and you end up punching and scratching me for a while first. I'll try not to hold this against you.

I love the little hungry grunts you make as you find my breast and figure out it's time to latch. Sometimes it almost sounds like you are saying "mmm, mmm, mmm." And when you are alert when we start, you raise your eyebrows and scrunch your forehead like you're getting down to some serious business.

I love the dramatic way you tell me you're done eating. With a gasp and a squeal, you pull yourself off and roll away from my body with a very serious and satisfied look. Your cheeks are smooshed and your face is dripping with milk. You bring your hands up to your face and then slowly stretch them above you head and you arch your back up. It is the sweetest thing. After you finish your ritual, you are often at your most alert.

You have amazing strength in your head, and I swear you could almost roll yourself over simply from the momentum you get from swinging it around. You get some good motion going from kicking your legs as well. Sometimes when we hold you up, you even support your weight for a few minutes as you stand.

In the last week or so, we have started to spend time on your activity mat. You wildly swing your arms and sometimes manage to make the toys move, though you have no idea that's what you did.

You really like white noise. We have a sleep sheep that plays a bunch of different sounds. Your favorite seems to be the whales. Someday we'll bring you on a whale watch of the coast of Boston.

Yesterday, I think you smiled. You were content, and not at all gassy, and you broke out into the biggest grin. It was the sweetest thing ever.

I love the way your butt sticks up into the air when you snuggle into my chest, with your little legs tucked under. You often curl your hand up in front of your face, and wiggle your fingers like you are playing an instrument.

Sometimes when you sleep, you squawk and grunt if someone touches you or moves you, but you usually settle right back down. If we are out for a walk and the sun hits your face, you do the same thing. I hope this doesn't mean you are a vampire.

You are starting to find your voice, and occasionally are letting out real coos instead of just grunts and squawks. I can't wait to hear how your voice develops.

We have a lot of nicknames for you so far. Leo Burrito, Leo Monster, Squirmy Wormy, Little Man, Sweet Pea, Peanut and Buddy just to name a few.

My Little Man, it's been quite an amazing month. You've already been to Friendly's, on a road trip to Granny's in NY, to visit Gramma in rehab, and to see Great Grampa Louis, aside from various doctor's appointments. You've met a good chunk of Daddy's family, as well as getting to spend a day with Uncle W when he was in town from England on business. You've suffered through countless photo shoots, and proudly wore your lion costume on your first Halloween. Yes, my Leo the Lion, your Mommy really is just that cheesy.

It's been one heck of an amazing month. I can't wait to see what your second month brings! I love you Sweet Pea!

* I plan to do some sort of monthly theme photo, but since we're still at Granny's until tomorrow, this has to wait a few days until I get back to my good camera. Stay tuned!