Violet at Three Months

Violet had a very eventful third month.  At the beginning of the month Violet was diagnosed with having a severe upper lip and tongue tie.  After a lot of research and doctor appointments, Will and I decided to have her lip and tongue tie lasered.  This was a very difficult decision emotionally, but after researching all of the facts, an easy one mentally.  Violet is still recovering from the procedure and relearning how to use her mouth.  She is going to Occupational Therapy now and we are doing mouth exercises with her daily.  As one therapist pointed out, who knew Violet's cutest assets were causing her so much trouble!  Relearning how to use a newly functioning mouth paired with the chubbiest cheeks around have made for lots of challenges with strengthening her mouth muscles.  As you can see in the picture below, her cute and unique lower lip indent was caused by the tension from her tongue tie.  Now we are working to unfold that lip so she can create enough suction to eat without inhaling lots of air, which leads to painful gas, fussiness and sleeplessness.

Fortunately, Violet continues to grow despite her eating challenges.  At her two month check up she measured twenty-four inches long - only three inches shorter than Emma was at a year old!  Here Will is below, measuring Violet on our growth stick.

Violet has even outgrown her big sisters doll-sized bunk beds.

Lucy and Emma's infatuation with Violet continues.  After the month we have had, it is amazing to me that they don't seem to mind the crying and fussiness as well as how much time has centered around our dear baby from the doctor and therapy appointments to the long and challenging feeding sessions.  When it comes to Violet, Lucy and Emma have nothing but affection and pride.

In fact, it continues to fascinate me how much every kid we know wants to hold Violet.  I don't remember Lucy and Emma having such a youthful fan club but perhaps it has something to do with the fact that all of the kids in my life continue to get older and aren't babies themselves anymore.  Either way, I find it very endearing how much the kids in my life seem to have a special interest and love for babies.  Below are three of Violet's cousins, proudly holding her.

It goes without saying that the adult family and friends in Violet's life relish holding her too.  In clockwise order from the top left is cousin Dave, Aunt Jenna, God Mother Joelle, friend Krista, Uncle Tim, Great Uncle Jim and Great Aunt Lucy.  Is it just me, or do Violet's great aunt and uncle look too young for that title?

Aunt Jane came to stay with us for a couple of days this past month and enjoyed some sweet bonding time with her fourth niece.

Violet is already following in her big sisters foot steps with her love of her daddy…

And her lack of sleep…

Violet prefers to be held for her naps that are so short we shall call them "kitten naps", and if there aren't any arms free, her next best kitten nap location is in her bassinet in the bathroom with the bathroom fan going for white noise.  She has taken a nap or two on the front porch as well in her  bassinet.

She likes to be rocked to sleep on our porch swing, which has made for pleasant times relaxing on our front porch.  Here Violet is below on my lap while I rock on the porch swing.  

Will is even able to multitask while he rocks Violet and reads up on his latest college homework assignment.

Violet is starting to become frustrated in the soft carrier I wear her in, and whereas last month she was known to take four hour naps in this, she now no longer prefers it.  We have dusted off the stroller as a result and she now will kitten nap for a couple of minutes in the stroller before she demands to be held for the rest of our walk.

Her bassinet almost made it to the trash when she had a diaper fail so extreme we had no idea where to even begin cleaning it.  Will saved the day with a screw driver and a frugality that found a way to get every soiled piece into our washing machine.

Violet has been very vocal this past month and loves talking to us in coos, oohs and ahhs.  The girls love talking with her, and interpreting what she is saying.  Here she is below, talking about something!

Violet has really discovered her hands this past month and loves sucking on them, grabbing her dress or burp rag and putting them in her mouth as well as grabbing our hair and fingers too.

I am enjoying this cooler summer for many reasons, but one of my favorite is the need for footed pajamas!  I absolutely love snuggling Violet when she is wearing footed pajamas!

What a month it has been and I am relieved that Violet's mouth is healing and that she is continuing to grow!