Zora went to see Dr Katie for her one month check up and all looks well! She is growing steadily – 9lbs 1oz and in the 50 something percentile for weight and 70 something for height.

Looking back, Ember had gained from 6lbs to 7lbs 9oz at her one month appointment – so it continues to prove that we know how to eat at the Rose Harris household.

Zora is about 90 breast milk fed although just like with Ember I’m pumping and using a bottle to feed her. After some early struggles I decided that the slight inconvenience for me was worth letting go of the struggle to latch as well as the reward of letting others (including dad) feed her from a bottle. I have zero bad feelings about it nor do I have any concerns about the one or two (or more) bottles of formula she eats per day. If I’ve been able to have a bottle ready, she has that. If not, we make a formula bottle. There’s no stress and no struggle – I’m not trying to build up a stockpile in the freezer or worry about it at all. Going back to work in November in the same building where she will be in daycare means I can pump and simply take a bottle up when it’s ready. She can have formula in the meantime.

To anyone who hasn’t struggled with breastfeeding in the current culture, that probably all seems totally mundane, logical, and simple. But for someone who had a hard time last round, those are all big steps.

I am sad to see my maternity leave slipping away, but we’ve had such a good time and I feel happy about how we are spending it. Zora enjoys her baby carrier and I enjoy wearing her. She does NOT ENJOY the car, but we are working on it. Ember tries to comfort her when she’s upset in the car – I encourage her to sing her baby sister a song. Daddy feels that a toddler yell-singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while the infant is screaming is NOT calming, but I think it’s sweet and it keeps Ember feeling like she’s helping and offering me something OTHER than the wailing baby to focus on.

We’ve had a great time visiting with friends and family and I’m allowing myself to spend a large amount of time on the couch with Zora snuggling on my chest.

I’ve also started to get excited about cooking again, and have been working through our freezer this week trying to use what we have as opposed to buying more things to cook. So far so good.

The general plan will be for me to go back to work in mid-November but plan on taking built up sick days to allow for a transition where I’m in the office MWF and Zora only goes to daycare those days as well. We will take Tuesday and Thursday to stay home together. It’s a great opportunity to ease back into the office as well as her in daycare.

Right now I still can’t think about dropping her off for an entire day, but luckily being onsite means I can swing by and see her anytime.

Overall everyone is doing well!

Ember stays busy at school, of course, and busy at home. She loves to help with Zora and also enjoys her time with Mommy and Daddy one on one as well.

This week at school she happily had a cupcake for a friend’s birthday and we couldn’t love this photo more.

May everyone eat their cupcakes with this level of wild abandon!