4 weeks have gone by since Rachelle was born. 4 weeks! Since February doesn't have a "30th" of the month, I'm going to say she is now officially a month old. I don't know when babies aren't considered "newborns" anymore, but I think the one month threshold is kind of that defining moment when they go from newborn to baby.
Because Rachelle doesn't look like a newborn anymore. She's filled out. Her face is rounder. Her skin is lighter. Her clothes are tighter. And she's more stretched out - not so roly-poly anymore. Although she still loves to have her legs curled up. I love that!
So I thought I'd list the things I love about newborns, since that phase is quickly slipping by and I don't want to forget. Also so I can refer back to it in a few years to convince myself that yes, in fact, I do want another baby.
* The fists. Newborns always have their hands in fists when they nurse. Usually up by their face. Sometimes their little fists are so tight their knuckles get white.
* The fur. I love all that fur newborns are covered with. On their face, their ears, their shoulders... It just makes them look like furry, cuddly teddy bears.
* The smell. I could never figure out what people were talking about when they said that newborns had a smell. I didn't think Shaelyn had a smell. But now that I have a toddler, I know newborns have a smell. And it's wonderful.
* The snorts. You know, the little piggy snorts to tell you they're hungry. Or they're waking up. Or they're waking up hungry.
* The humming. Newborns don't really use their "voice" - all their noises are a combination of snorts, grunts, and cries. Except for when they're nursing. And then they hum. They stop doing that after a while. Which is probably a good thing for nursing in public. But it's such a sweet sound.
* The rooting. One of my favorite things. They will turn their lips, face, and head full on to whatever they think is going to give them milk. And open wide. And bob their head. I love to put my girls up to my face when their rooting and let them try to suck my cheek for a second. It's almost like they're giving me a kiss. In a cruel, I-mock-your-hunger kind of way.
* The flailing. Newborns have no idea that their limbs are actually connected to them. So they flail all over the place. The arms especially. I love the started arms the best. How they go out in the air like they want a hug. Which they probably do. They just don't know that they do.
* The skin. The oh-so-soft-it's-practically-edible skin. I wish we could all keep our newborn skin. Well, softness-wise anyway. I'm glad I don't have newborn rash.
* The gummy smile. I finally read in an article that newborns are capable of smiling -- it's not just gas. Because I never thought it was anyway. And you only get to hold on to that goofy, gummy smile for so long before it's filled up with teeth. But then that's beautiful too.
* The feeling. The feeling of holding a newborn. Of nursing one. Of snuggling and smelling one. Of knowing you created one. Of loving one.
