I am already behind on posting about her weekly developments! I know that I am not going to be able to keep up with her weekly stats, but at least for the first month I want to and then maybe do a monthly update (plus lots of in between posts of cuteness of course)… we shall see!

I cannot believe that our baby girl is over a week old! (almost 2!) She turned one week on Wednesday, October 10. We were still stuck on the “other side” and in fact we celebrated her one week in Abu Dhabi at a fancy tea room in the Emirates Palace (pics to come). She is already a world traveler.

There are so many sweet things I could write about our baby girl at one week. She is truly a joy and I am blessed beyond belief to be her momma. It feels like she had always been apart of us… I know people always say they can’t remember a time without their kids, and now I understand.

Clothes: She is in size one diapers- folded over cuz they are still big on her. She is wearing newborn clothes and looks quite adorable in them if I do say so myself. They fit her pretty good- some are big, but I am loving that she can wear them. My favorite thing to dress her in is short sleeve oneies with her ruffle pants from Auntie Aubs with socks over them- looks like little boots! I am loving dressing her up- yes I am one of those moms… but when you have such a great model- who could resist?

Food: She is doing well a breastfeeding. I am so proud of her. We had a stressful night our first night away from the hospital which ended in tears for me because I was worried we were never going to get it, but I think we are getting the hang of it. We have already had to nurse in the US embassy, in the car like 4 times, at two restaurants, and in the line at the border! I would say she is pretty adaptable… what a blessing with our life style. We had a nurse come visit us when she was a few days over a week and she had gained 75 grams since we left the hospital, they want to weigh her again on Wednesday to make sure she is gaining enough weight. I feel like she is. We are nursing every 2 hours (sometimes 2 1/2) during the day and I was waking her up in the night to eat every 3 hours, but I got the ok to just let her sleep till she wakes up! Which has been great.

Sleep: She is a champ at this! She can sleep swaddled or un-swaddled during the day- in her bed or in someones arms or chest (my favorite) or even on the couch. At night we swaddle her up and there has already been a few times that she pops one of her little arms out… she loves to put her hands against her cheeks. She has a few hours of awake time in the mornings and again in the evenings.

Other: 

*She was a little Jaundice so we have been doing some sunbathing.

* She is really happy and smiles (I know they say babies don’t smile this early, but I am pretty sure ours does..).

*I feel super spoiled by Lydia- I know she is still little, but so far she has been such a sweet, easy baby.

*She is easy to calm down when she is upset- either change her diaper, feed her, or swaddle her and hold her close while patting her bottom and she is a happier camper.

*She loves her daddy and her daddy loves her.

*She is really enjoying having her Gramzi here to hold her and kiss her and change her diapers and do her laundry. We sure are going to miss her.

Travels: The first week of Lydia’s life she lived in Al Ain, UAE for a week, traveled up to Abu Dhabi and hung out in a hotel room for two nights and did some sightseeing- the mosque, Emirates Palace Tea Room, Marina Mall… She does really well in her carseat unless she is hungry or has a dirty diaper. So far she has been a champ at traveling.

“i love getting to see the world” ~ L

at Oasis Hospital

Happy one week “liddy bug”! We couldn’t love you more. Thanks for bringing such joy into our lives. ~ mom & dad