An update, list style

I'm so behind with my posting! I actually started this post a week ago and never got around to finishing it up, so now the news feels old and outdated. Maybe I'll just make a list and summarize the past week's info.

1. Last weekend Adele took her first road trip, riding in style to Auntie M and Uncle Dan's beautiful home north of Des Moines for a Darrah family gathering. She did a fine job on the 3.5 hour drive, and woke up only once there and back. After a quick snack, she was happy again and slept the rest of the way. Adele finally got to meet her aunts, uncles and cousins, including her "little" cousin Edie who is a month younger than Adele but was supposed to have been two months older (oh, this math gets so confusing!).
2. Adele had a well-baby check-up on Monday, and what a great one it was! Doc Murphy is completely pleased and amazed by Adele's growth and progress. Our little baby was 12.5 pounds at 6 weeks adjusted. Unbelievable. She gained 1.5 pounds in 2 weeks, and she's now in the 15th percentile for weight for full-term 4.5-month-olds. Her other stats are 23.25 for length (8th percentile) and 15.25 head circumference (not quite 3rd percentile). She's got a teeeny little noggin and is fat everywhere else. She's doing just great otherwise, though. Doc says she seems right on target for her adjusted age developmentally and physically. Her neck strength is getting better and she's starting to take more interest in the world around her, especially toys and fun things like that.
3. We're slowly leaving the days of the NICU behind us. First, because she's gained weight so well, we've been given the go ahead to take her formula down from the 24-cal recipe to the 22-cal recipe. The other bit of news from the appointment is that we got the go-ahead to take her off the monitor! We'd pretty much stopped using it during the days, for the most part, and Friday night marked the first night we went all night without it. Such a big step. She's a 100% wireless baby now!! We'll wait until her next CMH appt next month to turn it back into the monitor company, just to be on the safe side though. (One side benefit of being monitor-free is that now we can finally use all the PJs we had for her that zip! It opens up a whole new world of cute clothing options.)
   
4. Adele starts daycare on Tuesday. I have full confidence in our sitter, but of course I'm sad she has to go at all. My main concern is her health, and I KNOW she's going to get sick. Hopefully it will be limited to small colds and nothing more. Luckily her doc receives the shipment of the RSV vaccination this week, so we'll take her in for that as soon as they call.
5. She is smiling a TON now. Still no laughs yet, but it won't be long now as both Steve and I heard her do it in her sleep the other day. I'm still having trouble catching her smile on film, but I'm going to keep trying.
6. Saturday (Sept 29) we went to KC and met Nurse Lauren for dinner. It was so good to see her again! She's become a true friend, and I know we'll stay in touch. We can tell she really loves Adele and wants to be a part of her life.
7. I packed up her old 0-3 month clothes today. She's fully in 3 month/3-6 month clothes. She's growing so fast! :*(
   

I guess that's about for the overdue recap. Here are a few photos for your enjoyment! Follow this link for more.

Adele Hitchcock:

Edie and Adele, having a gossip session: