We reported on the last Blog that we were working on nap time. We have found the nap time secret....the baby burrito. I think what was happening was when we put her down for her nap she would move her arms/legs and wake herself up. So now we are wrapping her in her little swaddle blanket and we are now getting a 2.5 hour nap in the morning and about an hour nap in the afternoon! Baby burrito to the rescue! Avery is also getting great at tummy time. Her head control is getting so much better. We now put her on the pillow and she just chills for 5-10 minutes. Just a few weeks ago tummy time would result in a lot of crying. Avery had her first visit to Hanover - the meeting spot of her parents. We went down this weekend to visit the Bruyninckx family. Anne-Marie gave Avery a tour of the garden and had her smell some spices/herbs. Avery wasn't quite sure what she thought of these.
The adventure of discovering Avery's sleeping patterns has begun. She is an amazing night sleeper. Last night we moved her bed time up to 7pm because she seemed ready and the girl slept 10 hours. She didn't wake up until 5am. She had a quick feed and then went back to bed until 8 am. So our baby slept 13 hours last night. This morning when we went in her room she was just laying awake in her crib. So we are doing good with the night sleeping. But we have a ways to go with napping. Avery is not very interested in taking naps during the day. She likes to be a part of the party and doesn't want to miss out on what is happening around her. We have tried strollers and car rides to help her sleep. We would like her to get use to napping in her crib. I think we might have high expectations for a baby who is 5 weeks old. But if you have tips on getting a baby into a good nap routine please share. Ivan found a new way to calm Avery down, it is the Onesie method - we captured it on video!!
Ivan and I are loving being home together with Avery. We laugh at the end of almost every day because it seems like the days just fly by. We try to be productive but I think most of our days are filled with hanging out with Avery! She continues to be a great baby! She tends not to be very fussy during the day. Unless she is hungry or sleepy, but once you meet her need she calms down. She is sleeping great at night. We put her down at 8pm and she has been waking up at 3 am and then again at 7am. I feel like we are actually pretty well rested new parents. She continues to eat and gain weight. She is starting to get some more baby rolls. Avery takes a bit to wake up, there is a lot of grunting and stretching involved. This is her normal wake up routine.
We have had another great week with Avery! She has been able to meet more family and friends and everyone agrees that she is adorable. She continues to be a good baby and we are enjoying our time off work and school. She is starting to hold up her head - we are excited for improved head control. She continues to gain weight and eat like a champ. She lets her mom sleep well at night with two feeds at night and some good sleeping in between.
Avery meets her Aunt Katherine
Adorable
Ivan's favorite cuddle position
Avery meeting the Bruyninckx Family
Avery meeting her Great Grandmother in Bulgaria over Skype
We have had some firsts in the Lupov household this week. I have the feeling each day will bring a first for the weeks to come. It is fun to see each day what little Avery has in store for us. Yesterday Ivan gave Avery her first bottle. We were a little nervous because we didn't know if she would like it - let me just say our daughter likes to eat. She latched on to the bottle, took it all and then wanted more food from mom. Tonight we are adjusting her bedtime for the first time. She was very fussy from 8-10pm so we have moved her up and trying to put her to sleep earlier. We will have to let you know how that goes.
Also tonight we had a first while putting her to sleep. Ivan was burping her and she spit up a large amount of milk that went not only all over his shoulder but over his shoulder and onto the floor - she got some distance.
Can't believe she is already almost three weeks old. It seems like each day she is changing. Here are some more pictures!
The Lupov Family
Avery meeting her new friend Johnny
Ivan trying out a new holding position
The first bottle (no longer dependent on mom/sort of :)
