A Tale of Two Babies

I'm obviously not getting around to posting as much as I'd like, but well, having a newborn and a very opinionated (and oftentimes defiant) two year old makes it a little difficult.

It's been really interesting learning the similarities and differences between Charlotte and Phoebe.

Charlotte would not let me put her down. Someone had to hold her nonstop for most of the first few weeks of her life.

Phoebe is actually pretty content being put anywhere - her crib, the bassinet, the bouncer.  She'll look at whatever is around and putting in the pacifier makes her happy enough to get through dinner and deal with the older-I-don't-want-to-eat-anything-but-Mac and Cheese-daughter.

Charlotte was an excellent sleeper, pretty much from day one.  We had to wake her up for most feedings, and after her two week well baby checkup, we were given permission to let her go for as long as she wanted.

Phoebe is not as great of a sleeper.  We've only had one night of back to back four hour stretches - the rest of the nights have been a mix of 2 to 3 hours. We think part of this is because Phoebe caught Charlotte's cold.   Of course, Charlotte didn't get sick until she went to daycare at 3 months old, but we can't keep the toddler germs entirely in check anymore. Poor Phoebe has been so congested.  The other reason Phoebe doesn't sleep as well? At two weeks old, Phoebe is at the weight Charlotte was when she lost weight at two days old - 8 lbs 14 oz.  We have a long ways to go to get to Charlotte's birth weight of 9 lbs 9 oz.  In other news, Phoebe is actually longer than Charlotte was at two weeks - 22.75 inches. Impressive!

Charlotte was addicted to her pacifier from the minute we gave it to her, one sleepless night. And it became (until recently) the only way she'd go to sleep.

Phoebe will take the pacifier, but she's by no means addicted and sometimes she refuses it outright. Luckily, she has no problem taking it when we're out and about, which helps a lot.  At night, it's a toss up. Most times, simply nursing her will do the trick.

Charlotte had pretty much no stomach issues and spit up maybe once or twice ever.

Phoebe has horrible, horrible gas.  It's really the only time she ever cries.  There were periods of time last week when she went red in the face, arched her back and started screaming.  Her poor tummy was so tight.  We've started giving her gas drops every four hours or so, and they seem to work.

We've been really bad about taking pictures so far.  The days just seem to fly by with the nonstop nursing.  But here's one I took today when we got back from seeing the Hunger Games.  It was $5 ticket day at the movie theater, and because it's also Spring Break, the movie theater was packed.  Phoebe did great, and after a quick top off at the beginning of the movie, she slept the entire time.  It was really nice to get out.