The Stinson Family

Justin, Heather, Hadley, and Canaan



Saturday, April 30, 2016

Merritt's Moments: 1 Month

Oh my goodness, is the first month at home with a newborn a blur or what?!  Adjusting to life as a Party of Five is challenging enough; now let's throw sleep deprivation and raging hormones in to the mix!  Seriously though, I am coming through the fog and can hear the song, "I can see clearly now" playing in my head. If Merritt were not such an incredibly wonderful baby, I might just lose my mind.  But, you see, she is; and the good Lord knew that's what this ole' girl would have to have.   Let me tell you just how wonderful she is.
From the first night we brought her home from the hospital the most this baby ever woke up in the night was one time.  When we took Merritt for her two day check up, she was not quite back up to her birth weight; she weighed 8 lbs 6 oz.  Because of this, our pediatrician wanted us to wake her up every 4 hours, even through the night.  That was fine, until we started noticing her wanting to sleep longer at night.  She was 3 weeks, 5 days old when she gave us our first 8 hours of sleep.  I started taking her for weekly weight checks at my mother in law's doctor's office just to make sure she was gaining enough weight, since we were letting her sleep so much longer than the doctor advised.  Turns out, she was gaining weight beautifully so I didn't need to worry about letting her sleep at night.
Merritt still ate five times per day at one month old, but as she slept longer and longer at night, it was getting more difficult to fit in that fifth bottle.  She seems to stay awake more than our other two kids did, but I'm totally fine with that since she sleeps like a rock star at night.  She is still sleeping in her bassinet for the time being, but we did move her into her bedroom.  Now that Justin and the kids get up for work and school so early, we wanted to let Merritt sleep as long as she could.  We purchased a sound machine for the first time and keep it on the ocean setting.  Merritt absolutely loves it and it drowns out all the noise from the rest of our busy family.  We will transfer her over to her crib when we come home from vacation.  Her days consist of laying in her bouncy seat or on her fuzzy bear rug, when she's not snuggling with Mommy, of course.  She rarely ever cries and is just a dream come true.  I can't believe this sweet baby has already been with us for a month.  You're probably going to hear this a lot over the course of the next year, but this third baby has been the biggest blessing to our family.  I already cannot imagine our lives without her.  We love you, sweet Merritt!

Monday, April 18, 2016

Merritt's First Days

Timing couldn't have worked out better as far as when we came home from the hospital with Merritt.  It happened to be the last day of school before Spring Break.  So Justin was already going to be home with me anyway and the two big kids were able to spend lots of time with both sets of grandparents.  We couldn't have asked for an easier, smoother transition.  However, the first two weeks at home with a newborn are extremely difficult for me.  I'm pretty much an emotional wreck.  Lack of sleep and trying to figure out a routine and schedule do not suit me well.  Times like those make me even more thankful for my incredibly supportive, loving husband.  He is my rock.

Hadley and Canaan wanted to hold Merritt every chance they got, those first two or three weeks.  She was the novelty they had waited patiently for for months and they were ready to enjoy her.  It is so sweet to listen to them talk to her; just like they are adults and she is their very own baby.
Merritt loves her boppy pillow and spends plenty of time propped up on it.  She also loves the comfort of her bouncy seat, as well.  I still cannot believe I get another opportunity to dress up a little girl.  Good thing I saved all of Hadley's clothes!
When Merritt was not quite 3 weeks old I took her to Justin's open gym after school one day.  She napped on one of the blocking pads.  She might as well get used to the loud gyms; basketball season will be here before we know it!



We have had so many visits from sweet friends and family that I couldn't possibly remember them all.  Plus, let's face it, those first two or three weeks are a complete blur anyway, between sleep deprivation and crazy hormones.  But our first days at home with Merritt have been mostly wonderful.  We basically just sit and stare at her or hold her while she sleeps peacefully.  I hate to speak too soon, but I think it's safe to say that three really is a charm!

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Merritt Nell's Newborn Pictures

My dear friend, Lacey, came to our house a week after Merritt's birth to capture some newborn pictures for us.  She did a perfectly fabulous job and I couldn't have been more pleased.  So without further ado, here are Merritt Nell's newborn photos.