To My Mia

Fresh from heaven - our first night together

Just a few hours old - so beautiful and hairy

Locking fingers

Smirking in your sleep

Hanging out at the splash pad while your sister plays

Happy one month

Modelling a present from mummy's co-worker. The bottom right picture is my favorite of you!

To my darling Mia. Today you are 2 months and 4 days old. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was holding you in delivery room at American Fork hospital but it feels like you've completed our family forever. I'll run very quickly over your entrance into the world, milestones up to this point and life in general since you graced us with your presence.
You were born at 3:26pm on Friday, July 6th. Mummy's due date was July 5th and I was originally supposed to be induced on the 5th but the hospital had too many women being induced that day so I was pushed back to the 6th at 9am. Labor was easy, the last half hour was painful but pushing wasn't hard or very long and you were here so quickly with a full head of hair that I forgot it all quickly.

Your full head of hair

We spent two lovely days in the hospital with the coolest, loveliest nurses. Risa actually influenced your name. Risa was our nurse who suggested we name you after her - Risa meaning "laugh" in Spanish. Your daddy and I had a hard time agreeing on a name for you. Daddy wanted to call you Herani because he loved the name and it's a family name on your koro's side, but we live in Utah and people were saying your name wrong already and I didn't want you to live with that. I spent the entire time we were in the hospital on baby name websites looking for a name that daddy and I would agree on and I mentioned the name "Mia" not thinking he'd agree and he did! Every day I love the name Mia more and more.
You have smiled from the time you were a few days old. You started smiling on purpose around 3 weeks old, trying to talk at a month and have been a delight. You've rolled yourself over from the time you were a few days old as well (although not on purpose) because you have really strong legs. You can kick off the ground when you're lying down and roll your little self over. You don't like being held facing in - you're just too nosey and keep arching your back to see around the room.
You used to spit up a lot but have since almost stopped doing it altogether. You only feed on breast milk and after a rough first week of latching (like your big sister), mummy went to see a lactation consultant and you've since been a champ. You haven't had any troubles eating and just got sick for the first time yesterday - and it makes mummy sad. It started with Kiki, went to mummy and now you have it. All 3 of us are spending our days being lazy and mummy loves having so many cuddles with you and Kiki.
Happily none of your hair has fallen out but you do have cradle cap and a mild rash on your chest, neck, shoulders, top of your back and parts of your face. You're still a little "newborn red" but I think you are the sweetest, most beautiful baby in the world. You cry more and louder than Kiona did but you're such a sweet little girl to look at and chat to that it doesn't matter - we love you so much.
You LOVE your dummy/binkie. Probably because mummy uses it to get a little more sleep at night (apologies for future dependencies on oral things - gum, lollies etc.) so I don't have to feed you. You enjoy being rocked and can fall asleep instantly when mummy holds you but you wake up easily. As a newborn you used to jump (in fright) when I was burping you but have since grown out of that but you are still easily surprised and cry a little - except for the vacuum and mummy's hair dryer. Those sounds actually soothe you, funny girl.
This summer has been a particularly hot (and LONG) one and your rash is aggravated with the heat so we haven't been able to go outside much, and therefore live inside with the AC. I'm hoping the winter isn't too severe because I want to share you with the world. We do take you to lots of activities with us and you're such a good guest - but I want to show you the world.
Your big sister Kiki loves you so much and every morning when she wakes up and you're still asleep she climbs over mummy and tries to cuddle you, hold your hands and generally overwhelm you with her love. When we're in the car she puts your dummy in your mouth if you cry and assures us that she is the "bess sisser" and always tries to hold your hand while she sucks her fingers. If your dummy isn't available you try to suck on your fingers too - uh-oh! Not two finger suckers.
You will be getting blessed in 3 weeks when Koro and lots of your Aunties and Uncles get here and we were going to combine it with Kiki's bday since it's the next day but decided against celebrating your big sisters 3rd bday on a Sunday. I'm so excited for both of you I even bought you a big new headpiece (not headband - it's more than that).
Me and daddy love you so much Mia bear and we hope you know that.

Love always, Mama Bear