Grant’s Three-Month Journey: Celebrating Early Milestones and the Joys of Motherhood
Today marks a truly special occasion – my precious little Grant is exactly three months old! It feels like just yesterday we welcomed him into the world, and now, a quarter of a year has flown by in a whirlwind of love, laughter, and endless cuddles. Just look at that incredibly sweet face!
Every glance at his innocent expression fills my heart with an overwhelming surge of cuteness that is almost too much to bear. It’s a love I never knew was possible, a profound connection that has utterly transformed my world.
I am completely, utterly, and unconditionally in love with this tiny human. The depth of emotion I feel for him surpasses anything I’ve ever experienced before. His bright, lively dark eyes, those infectious toothless smiles that light up a room, and his sweet morning giggles – every single thing about him conspires to melt my heart into a giant, overflowing puddle of pure joy. It’s a privilege to witness his growth and discover his budding personality each day. Quite frankly, I couldn’t be prouder. How incredibly lucky am I to call him mine?
It’s astonishing to see how much he has grown in such a short span of time! The photo below beautifully illustrates his remarkable transformation, contrasting his look at just one week old with his vibrant 13-week-old self. Oh my goodness, can we please, please, just freeze time for a little while? I desperately wish this precious newborn stage could last just a little longer. Don’t misunderstand; I cherish and savor each and every waking moment with him, embracing every new discovery and milestone. It’s just that the days seem to fly by, and he’s growing up so fast!
Life with a newborn certainly comes with its own set of routines, often centered around feedings, naps, and doctor visits. But last week, we finally ventured out for our first non-medical, non-daily-walk public outing! Our big adventure? Grocery shopping! Haha, I know, it sounds incredibly exciting, right? But you have no idea how much I missed the simple act of browsing aisles and picking out fresh food. It was a wonderful change of pace for me, and Grant loved it too. He was absolutely fascinated by all the bright lights, the colorful shelves, and the overall bustling change of scenery. His little eyes widened with wonder, taking in the new sights and sounds. It was a small step, but a significant one in feeling a bit more “normal” again.
Grant’s Exciting Three-Month Highlights and Developmental Leaps
The past month has been brimming with delightful discoveries and significant developmental milestones for our little one. Here are some of the most memorable highlights that have brought so much joy to our days:
- A Budding Personality and Musical Tastes: Grant is truly starting to shape his unique personality. It’s incredible to observe his preferences emerging, especially when it comes to music. He already has his favorite songs! For instance, if he’s a bit fussy or needs a moment to unwind, playing “Cool Enough” by Spada & Elen Levon works like magic. It’s an instant calm-down button; within moments, he’s instantly chill and content. And on those rare occasions when even his favorite tune doesn’t quite do the trick, a quick diaper change reliably brings a happy smile back to his face. It’s these little quirks that make him so uniquely Grant!
- Our Little Chatterbox and Bilingual Aspirations: Oh my goodness, Grant is becoming incredibly talkative, particularly in the mornings! His father, Garrat, often jokes that he wouldn’t be surprised if Grant starts speaking full sentences by six months old. He’s constantly cooing, babbling, and making a variety of delightful sounds, trying to communicate in his own sweet way. I’ll definitely have to snapchat some of these adorable conversations soon (for those curious, my snapchat is shineshka). Speaking of talking, I have big plans to raise him bilingual, specifically by speaking to him exclusively in Mongolian. This approach is often called “one parent, one language” (OPOL), or something similar, where each parent consistently speaks a different language to the child. If any of you wonderful readers have experience with raising bilingual children, especially using the OPOL method, please do share your tips and insights! I’d love to learn from your journeys.
- The Dreamy Five-Hour Sleep Breakthrough: March 16th will forever be etched in my memory as the night Grant slept for an astonishing five hours straight! When I woke up in the middle of the night and realized it had been four hours since his last feed, I was completely in shock. His usual stretch of sleep is typically two hours, maybe three at most on a very good night. But five hours? That was absolutely unheard of! I admit, I was so tempted to wake him to feed, purely out of habit and a slight worry, but I resisted. I wanted to see just how long he could sleep on his own. The next night, he, unfortunately, woke up every hour, likely due to the discomfort from his two-month vaccines. However, he gloriously resumed his long stretches of sleep the very following night! What a blessing, and a testament to his developing sleep patterns. I don’t believe I actively did anything specific to promote this, but I am excited to share my top five favorite items that significantly aid my little guy in sleeping better. Keep scrolling to find out what they are!
- Discovering the Joy of Play: Just a week or so ago, my little munchkin reached another heartwarming milestone: he started purposefully holding his toy and actively playing with it. It’s the cutest sight imaginable! He absolutely loves shaking it, exploring its textures, and, of course, tasting it – everything goes into the mouth at this age! Every small change, every new skill he masters, makes my heart jump with boundless joy and wonder. If you’re a mom, I’m absolutely certain you understand exactly what I mean; these little moments are the greatest rewards.
Navigating Motherhood: Routines, Confessions, and Essential Gear
It’s been exactly one month since my mom left after her wonderful visit, and I’m proud to say, “Yay, I survived it!” The transition took a bit of time to settle into a new routine without her extra pair of hands and invaluable support. Some days are undeniably harder than others, filled with moments of doubt and exhaustion, but overall, we’re doing great now. We’ve found our rhythm, and each day feels a little more manageable and joyful.
I often find myself reflecting on the journey of parenthood. I’m certainly not a perfect mom, and there are undoubtedly moments or aspects of raising Grant that I’m not particularly proud of. But I try to remind myself that these moments don’t define me as a bad mom, and I hope that’s true for other mothers out there too. We all navigate this journey with love and learning. To embrace the imperfections and foster a sense of community, I thought it would be fun to add a new section here for honest “mommy confessions.”
Mommy Confession: The Dreaded Nail Trim
Alright, here’s my first official mommy confession: I absolutely DREAD trimming my baby’s nails! I have this cute little pair of scissors specifically designed for babies – they’re super sharp and comfortable to hold, which should make it easier. And yet, despite their excellent design, I am utterly terrified of accidentally cutting into his delicate, tiny skin. Ugh! I’ve been holding off for as long as humanly possible, trying to convince myself they weren’t too long. But then, the other day, he managed to scratch himself twice on his precious little face. That was my cue. I had to get over my fear and just do it! It was a tense few minutes, to say the least. And I’m certainly not looking forward to the next time, especially since those darn baby nails grow so incredibly fast!
5 Baby Products We’re Absolutely Crazy About (and Help Us Sleep Better!)
As mentioned earlier, getting good sleep for both baby and parents is a game-changer. While Grant’s five-hour sleep was a delightful surprise, these products have consistently contributed to better rest for our entire family. They are truly invaluable:
Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper: This bassinet has been an absolute lifesaver. Having my little munchkin right at arm’s reach throughout the night has been incredibly beneficial for continuing to breastfeed on demand and ensuring I get more peaceful sleep. It eliminates the need to get out of bed, making night feedings so much smoother. Grant, like many babies, doesn’t particularly enjoy sleeping on a completely flat surface. So, we ingeniously placed this specialized wedge under the mattress, and it’s been perfect! It offers a gentle incline that seems to make him much more comfortable. The Bassinest boasts so many great features, including a soft night light, a convenient swivel function that allows it to easily move over the bed, and an incredibly sturdy base that gives me peace of mind. There are also other features like a soothing vibrator and built-in music, but honestly, we don’t even need to use those. Now that Grant is growing so much and nearing the weight limit, I’m afraid he’ll have to transition to his crib soon, which is a bittersweet thought.
Halo SleepSack Swaddle Blanket: Grant absolutely loves being swaddled! It provides him with that comforting, secure feeling reminiscent of the womb, which helps prevent the startle reflex and promotes longer, more restful sleep. This particular swaddle blanket makes the process so incredibly easy and comfortable for both me and Grant. It’s designed to be simple to use, even during those groggy middle-of-the-night changes. I own both the micro-fleece and cotton versions, but I definitely prefer the cozy warmth and softness of the fleece one for extra snugness.
Cloud b Sound Machine and Soother: This sound machine is an integral part of our nightly bedtime routine. One of our key steps is to feed him with the calming backdrop of the “soothing ocean surf” sound. Without fail, it works like a charm; my baby typically falls asleep within five minutes of the sound being on. It’s truly amazing how quickly it helps him transition to sleep, creating a tranquil environment that signals it’s time to rest. This little device is pure magic!
Fisher-Price Signature Style Mobile: Grant takes one of his daily naps in his crib, and he started falling asleep on his own much more consistently ever since I installed this musical mobile. In the beginning, I honestly thought he was getting distracted by the spinning animals and soft melodies, thinking it might keep him awake. But then I observed something fascinating: after the music gracefully turns off, he instantly drifts off to sleep. It seems the gentle visual and auditory stimulation initially captivates him, then acts as a calming cue that leads directly to slumber. It’s a wonderful tool for promoting independent sleep.
Samsung SafeVIEW Baby Video Monitoring System: For a worry-wart mommy like me, a baby video monitor is an absolute, non-negotiable must-have! I feel the need to keep my eyes on my baby every second while he’s napping during the day, even if he’s just in the next room. Mind you, I don’t live in a sprawling mansion, but even in a moderately sized home, I simply cannot imagine nap-time or those precious few moments of quiet without this monitor. It provides invaluable peace of mind, allowing me to catch up on chores or simply relax knowing I can see and hear him at all times. It truly is the absolute best invention for anxious parents!
Alrighty, I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into my munchkin’s latest adventures and our journey through early parenthood. Every day with Grant is a blessing, and I’m so grateful to share these moments with you. Until next month, when we’ll undoubtedly have even more exciting milestones to celebrate!
PS: This post is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned. However, it does contain affiliate links to the products that I genuinely love and use daily! Thank you for your support!