Dear Gwenivere,
I can't believe you are 2 months old already. I'll probably say that every month, but really its amazing how the time flies by!
This has been a fun month, you are starting to do so much more. Like the 6 week smiles! Right on time girl. God really knew what he was doing when he made babies because those smiles start coming right at the perfect moment to give parents the extra boost to keep going with the long nights and tiring days!
And Gwen, your smiles are magic! I can't even describe how it melted my heart and filled me up the first time I saw you break into a grin... and even better was the first time I was sure that I caused it! Plus, you have one dimple, just like mommy does. :-)
You are such a sweetie now. Just so happy in the mornings, which is a beautiful way to start the day. I put you on your changing table and you smile, and coo, and take in the pictures on it with great relish. You love those pictures! We probably spend 15 minutes each morning, after we are done with being changed, just looking at and "talking to" those picture.
After that you will normally hang out in your crib, watching your mobile until mommy is done peeing and brushing her teeth. It's a great new development which my bladder and teeth appreciate. And the fun stuff, doesn't end there. You are awake so much more during the day. We make faces at each other, read books, and sing songs. We also do tummy time, which you still hate... but which has paid off, with a strong neck and strong legs. Unfortunately for mommy's productivity, your naps all seem to need to be on me, at the moment. Its like there's a switch, and when I put you down, you go into wide awake mode. But we're working on that!
Speaking of sleep... there are times when having you in bed with us is exhausting. And I don't even realize how much so until we have a night when you sleep for a few hours in your crib, and then I wake up to get you for the first time and it is magical how well I slept. But I still love it, and the times that I wake up before you, getting to watch your little eyelids twitch and hear your sweet sleeping sighs, well they make it all worthwhile.
Even better, the fact that you sleep like your daddy and I do, stretched out, with your hand thrown up over your head. I woke one night and caught you both sleeping like that, and it was only the siren call of sleep that kept me from jumping up right that minute to get a camera to capture the moment. The next morning I kicked myself a bit because it was just so adorable. Though it did make me wonder how we look... the three of us in a row, with our arms all thrown up above our heads like some weird roller coaster full of narcoleptics. It makes me wish I could have a photographer follow us around for a week, just to get these shots... the moments I want to remember forever.
But your sleep has improved. It still hit or miss whether you'll actually go down in your crib when we do you night routine. The routine worked perfectly for about a week, and has sporadically since then, but some nights you simply refuse to stay asleep until I hold you for an hour first. However your average at night is now closer to four hours, so that's good. And of course there was that one glorious night, 8 hours! And last night you gave us 7!! I can't wait for you to do that on a regular basis.
You are still breastfeeding like a champ, but now you're starting to take a bottle occasionally too. You are so out to give your daddy an ulcer though... since the bottle you decided to like is the expensive kind. And even that one doesn't hold a candle to the boob. But we're going to keep practicing this month, because daycare is looming, and it would be great if you would eat there!
You really seem to enjoy being outside now. We've been taking walks in the evening, all four of us, and you get so relaxed in the evening air. You'll often fall asleep, but if you don't, then you seem to love looking around at all the sights and the play of light. This is great timing too, since we're deep into a lovely spring.
The other day we took a blanket out into the yard to be with your puppy, which she loved. I can't wait until you are big enough to throw the ball to her. For now, we just watch your pup.
This month you've had your first holidays, and met a bunch of new people, and you are such a relaxed baby that you really take it all in stride. I hope you keep that trait for all your days. Relaxed and happy is the way to be!
Love forever,
Mommy
"Lullaby"
by the Dixie Chicks
They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
(the changing station is awesome), our 
, our furniture, etc. I haven't tried our infant to toddler highchair yet, so no review there. But, below I list the things that really stick out for me... either because they are very good, very bad, or because there is something specific about them I want to mention.
and 
brands... Gerbers seem to run small. Their 0-3 fit like Carter's Newborns. They are great though for under one-piece outfits, as an extra layer under lighter clothes, or to keep diapers secure and catch any leaks! 
: OMG, I got this because it was made with natural ingredients, but I love it because it is gentle and smells AMAZING!
: I do love my wrap! On the days that Gwen just refuses to be put down, and I need both hand, she gets wrapped. Its win-win, she's still being held, and I have my hands free! Its great for walks too, and she often falls asleep in it. Don't be intimidated by having to tie it... is so easy to learn, and once you do it a few times, its second nature. 
: They are perfect for wiping up spit up, or laying down under a slobbering baby, etc. I got some, not sure if we would use them... but we have them all over the house and use them constantly! Plus they are soft, and you really can't beat the absorbency. For something a little fancy, get one 
, Nature Babycare
, and Parents Choice in Size 1. The Newborn Huggies did not fit her well at all... they are the ones that we constantly had poop leaks from, while Pampers fit her great. Now we've moved her up to the size one diapers (eek!), and have found that the size 1 Huggies do fit her, no problems. So I guess its a bit hit or miss... and on that note:
: I really do love this pump, its works really well for me... but could I go back in time, I'd have registered for the double pump instead of single. Fitting in pumping is hard, it would be awesome to do it in half the time... especially when I go back to work and have to do it multiple times a day. But it is a good pump, and very compact. 
: This has been a lifesaver with having Gwen in bed, as I talked about 
instead.