(written July 4th)

Kaelyn’s first week has definitely been a busy one. It’s crazy to me that she’s a whole week old, because part of me feels like it’s flown by, and another part of me feels like she’s been here forever.

This little girl is a dream baby. I don’t want to jinx ourselves… but she’s pretty much perfect. She eats well, sleeps great, never spits up, and is just sweet overall.

She’s such a tiny thing. Grandma sent some preemie clothes after we realized we had almost nothing that fit her (even newborn stuff is too big)! Preemie stuff fits perfectly for now.

She’s a champ at nursing and asks for it just about every two hours (sometimes it’s more like every hour and twenty minutes). We had a little bit of a hard time getting her to latch on in the first couple days, but now that she’s learned, she’s going to grow like a weed.Kaelyn has spoiled us with sleep (how many parents of a newborn get to say that?). Our first night home, she would wake up to eat and go right back to bed. The next night was the roughest, when she woke up every hour and a half to nurse. Since then, though, she’s been giving us a nice four-hour stretch at night. She nurses and goes right back to sleep! I am really so impressed (and so grateful)!

She gets the hiccups a whole lot, just like she was in my belly! She also seems to know my voice much better than Kaya did when she was born (probably because she’s heard me telling Kaya “no” all the time… haha). She can be crying hysterically, but a few words from me can calm her instantly. Right now, she’s definitely a mama’s girl, and I’m soaking it up while I can. She loves her pacifier and snuggling. I know that her smiles aren’t “real” yet… But she sometimes smiles when I say her name and it just melts my heart.She met three of her grandparents this week, two uncles, one aunt, and many friends.We also went on our first walk using the double stroller!Her nicknames right now include: Peanut, Sweet Pea, and Tiny Princess.She loves to sleep with her hands up by her face and I can’t help imagining her doing the same when she lived in my belly.

Kaya really loves her baby sister. Kaelyn never has to go without her pacifier as long as she’s around!We love you so much Kaelyn and are so glad you joined our family! I’m so grateful I get to be your mama.