So, to start, here's a recap of what Simona has been all about so far...

The first two weeks, she slept. We had to wake her for just about every feeding, every 2-3 hours, day & night, and also tickle her feet to keep her awake long enough to feed. That meant setting the alarm for, say, 3am, which is so unnatural! She had a touch of jaundice, and it was funny (in hindsight) to chase what little sunlight we get in a rowhome to make sure she got her daily vitamin d.

Her first outing was at five days old, to the pediatrician. A great idea, by the way, as we were so tired and confused about everything from counting diapers to engorgement to how to clean the poor child. Grandparents Joan & Bob showed up later that day. They cooked a lot and did the grandparent thing very well. We really all just stared at her in wonderment most of the time (we still do).

At her two week birthday, Nonno Adelio & Nonna Anna came with Luca. Again, Simona was a hit. Still sleeping a lot, and sleeping well through the night (3-4 hours at a stretch). Our faucet decided to pull a fast one so Dan & Adelio spent the better part of that short weekend dealing with that. Adelio & Luca left but Anna stayed for several more days to help me out while Dan returned to work. Again, lots of staring and diaper changing. It doesn't sound like much, I know, but it is. By this time, Simona had unfolded (stopped looking so newborn-y) from her legs and arms to her ears.

Three weeks: Her first feeding frenzy. Oh my. Every 10-15 minutes, at least. That is all we did that week. I think around this time I stopped seeing her as a newborn and more as a baby. Once the frenzy was over, we realized that we could handle her needs most of the time, meaning we could actually figure out why she was crying and help her to settle down, even if it means bouncing on the yoga ball for hours on end (best investment ever). By this time she started looking at faces intently.

Four weeks: Sergio & Lora visit for a few days. Simona has gotten the hang of making a fist, staying awake during feedings and starts to show the slightest signs of smiling when awake. She smiles all the time in her light sleep. We start doing "tummy time" and she loves it. We go to a few restaurants with her and it works out, though we eat our meals in 40 seconds anyway, just in case. :) She has her first visit to the park, too (picture above).

Second month: Simona is already outgrowing clothes, even her fleece swaddle blanket which has been our lifeline until now. By eight weeks, she is starting to enjoy being in the bouncer and her swing, can sometimes put herself to sleep, has started to spit up and to drool. She's gotten much more efficient at feeding, from one hour to 15-20 minutes, and has even taken the bottle a couple of times. Amazingly, she usually wakes up only once during the night. She has a weekly playdate with Dylan, and even though they have much in common they are still shy around each other. She's been to Fairmount Park, Morris Arboretum, and all over South Philly.