1, 2, 3

We are done!  I can safely say that B's colic is effing gone.  Thank.  You.  Jesus.  Colic is ridiculous.

She actually hasn't really had a colic spell in about a month...I just didn't want to say anything and jinx it!  I did do a few things to help reduce her pain.  I gave up all dairy in my diet.  This freaking blows.  I miss milk and cheese so much.  However, when I slip and have something with dairy, she's in pain and I am too.  I guess my body has gotten used to no dairy, so when I do have it, my insides are all tore up.   Luckily, she's not screaming in pain anymore when "we" have dairy, but her belly does hurt her...you can tell because she has lots of gas and constantly pulls her legs up towards her stomach.  It's also a lot harder to get her to sleep when she's feeling like this.  So, even though we're through colic hell, no dairy for us for a little while longer.  

One of Bristol's wall/ceiling.  An Alaskan friend, Renae, had done this in her craft room.  I fell in love with the idea and copied it for B's room.  Thanks for the idea, Renae!

I've also learned what most of her cries mean.  She is such a scheduled little girl!  She usually needs a little nap every 1 1/2-2 hours...on the dot.  When she wakes, I feed her, change her diaper, play with her, top her off, and then she goes back to sleep.  It has helped us out, tremendously, figuring out her schedule and cries!  With that being said, since she is getting more sleep now (since I'm not ignoring the sleep cry for food or stimulation), she is going to bed at night.    Her not being overtired, I think, helped reduce the colic spells, as well.  

 She is also sleeping in her own crib, in her own room!  When we went to her 3 month weight check, we asked the doc how we could get B to sleep a little longer through the night.  The doc suggested moving her out of our room.  Since I'm nursing her, when B wakes in the night and smells me, she wants to eat even if she's not hungry.  Well, no time like the present.  That night, we started placing her in the crib.  She did great!  Since she had already been sleeping in the bassinet, I didn't really think she'd have a problem with her crib.  

This sleep transition has been so different with B, than it was with Joey.  I guess because we co-slept with Joey until he was 4 1/2 months old, and then we moved him straight into his crib in his own room, he just wasn't prepared for that!  We had to do the "cry it out" method with him and that was downright horrible.  I guess since we have done several baby steps, and way earlier in her life, the sleep stuff hasn't been too bad with Bristol. 

 She is sleeping a good 6-7 hours straight for the first part of the night.  Then she is up every 1-2 hours until we get up in the morning.  If I would go to bed when she did, then I would be pretty well rested.  However, I like to chill out and watch some reality trash TV for a little bit before I go to bed.  Therefore, I'm not getting much sleep.  

When Bristol doesn't have some life need that needs met, she is such a happy and smiley girl!   

She also started to laugh and giggle this past month!  It is so freaking cute!  You can really get her going.   

 Bristol is also quite the talker!  She "talks" all of the time!  Sometimes, she'll coo and babble to herself for a good 20 minutes once she wakes up.  It makes me smile when I hear this.  The doctor even commented on how talkative she was during her weigh in!  Michael is totally screwed with three talkers in his home!  

 Bristol definitely lights up when I enter into the room.  She is a little obsessed with me.  Ha!  However, her other favorite person in this world is her brother!  She loves to be near him.  Whenever he is close to her, she will just stare at him and smile!  It's really awesome to see.  

Joey is really in love with his sister too.  He likes to sit near her.  Pet her head or tickle her whenever he walks by her.  Kiss and hug her.  Help change her diaper.  Help get her up from sleep times.  He's also pretty protective of Bristol.  This makes Michael and I happy.  Hopefully, he'll keep that watchful eye out as they grow older.    

A blow-out!  This happened while I was on the phone with a BFF from home.  It also went all over my pajama  pants.  The joys of motherhood.

Back at her 2-month checkup, the doc was concerned because she hadn't gained any weight in a month.  The doc wanted B to come back at 3 months, to see if she gained anything.  Well, little missy didn't disappoint!  She is up to 14 lbs, 4 oz.!  Holla!  (12 lbs, 1 oz. at 2 months).  No issues with little lady or my milk supply.

Bristol still loves to be worn.  Whenever Michael or I wear her, it's pretty much a guarantee that she'll sleep. Plus, wearing her is a great bonding time.  This has been great for her and Michael.  

Bristol also started to take a pacifier this month.  I don't know how this happened.  We have been trying to get her to take a pacifier since she was three weeks old.  She never would.  Then, one day, she just did.  I love that she uses the paci now.  This has freed me up a lot.  However, I am already dreading the time when we have to break this habit.  I've heard the horror stories from my friends.  However, I'm going to ride the paci train right now and not worry about the future!

Bristol having a full-on conversation...

If you've followed this blog since the beginning, you know that I really did not like Joey until he was about
3 1/2-4 months old.  I have liked Bristol for a few weeks now.  :)  I think this has been because she's a pretty happy girl, since we've gotten through colic. 

However, I know a lot of this is due to her being our second child.  I know what to do now.  Yes, she's different than Joey, but her basic needs are still the same.  I'm a lot calmer as a Mom with her.  This isn't my first rodeo!  Plus, this time, I know everything is a phase.  Right when I'm losing my cool because this feels like it will be the rest of my life, I chant to myself "this is only a phase!".  It's hard to listen to this chant when shit has really hit the fan, but it does help with the small things.  

Happy 3 month Birthday, Bristol!