It's Crying Time

Tough days have begun.  I wasn't willing to accept that I had been baptized by fire with Emily and Andrew - in that they both developed colic around 4 weeks and would cry for at least 6 hours a day (sometimes straight) - and that Amelia would be "easy."  I'm glad I kept this skeptical attitude, as much as it irked my husband and extended family (when they came to help) because it's started.  Because I didn't convince myself that things would be easier this time around, I was more prepared for it to start.  And start it has.

For the past 1.5 weeks, Amelia has cried non-stop from about 5 pm until midnight or 1 am.  On Sunday, she started crying during the day for periods of 2 - 3 hours at a time.  It's been rough.  Not just because she cries and I really can't help her (and DO NOT tell me what I *should* do because I tried everything with Emily and Andrew; I refuse to stress myself over how to stop it rather than just learn to cope through it and keep my sanity and love intact) but because I have very little patience left for Emily and Andrew when they start whining/crying.

The moby wrap has really helped me as I can place her and actively console her (read: walk, sway, etc) and still have free hands to take care of the other two.

Today does mark her 5 week birthday!  While the tears are hard (and often leave me crying as well), they certainly don't diminish my love for this sweet angel.

At 5 weeks (which makes her a month) Amelia
-smiles occasionally while awake
-giggled for the first time a couple nights ago (so cute!)
-follows her siblings around the room as they move and groove
-follows sounds
-looks for my voice when I'm not holding her
-likes to be held by me all the time
-sleeps in her own crib for a short time (mostly because brother and sister are a bit overzealous in their love for her)
-eats constantly
-weighs around 8 lbs
-enjoys the "nature" station I have on Pandora
-likes the sound of the vacuum (much to her siblings' surprise)
-endures all the photo shoots and changes of dress I put her through

Emily and Andrew adore their sister, sometimes a little too much.

Ben and I take "shifts" with her when he gets home and he loves that bonding period.  Not to mention I sometimes need a little muscle break.

Now for some pictures.