Talking

From the moment this baby was born, she would intently look at anyone who would talk to her. And she listened. Very soon after birth she seemed to try to talk back. I have always spoken to my babies. The first thing I say to them and repeat over and over is "hi". I do it with a certain inflection every time. It's more like a sound than a word. Well, at 11 days old, Anarya imitated that sound back to me. Not just once but twice and Joel was standing there to hear it too. We were quite amazed. She is still trying to "talk" back to anyone who talks to her and she is getting better at forcing out sound. She hasn't said hi again, but we are still counting it as her first word.

A Barber for sure

This kid would rather sleep than eat. Which you may think would be a great thing. Except that because of her bilirubin problems, the Dr. has been watching her weight closely and she isn't gaining well. So, we have to make her eat every three hours. And sometimes, you can move her all around but she is just dead weight and she won't suck!!!
This is how Anarya sleeps most often when she is in her bed. Sprawled out as far as her little arms and legs will go. Thank heaven Mandy had all these long sleeved, nightgown things she gave me. I didn't think I would use them it's so hot here. But with the air on and the fact that this baby kicks off her blankets, I don't have to wake in the night worried that she might be too cold.
Everyone enjoys holding the baby and when she falls asleep, she is quiet and still. That's the best. The big girls have spent many nights getting up to feed the baby after Joel went back to work, so they needed naps!
This is by far Anarya's favorite way to sleep. She will go back to sleep after several hours of sleeping if you set her on your chest. (I don't think she is actually sleeping most of the time. But if she is comfy, she will close her eyes.)
Shar wasn't asleep for this one, but it was too cute a picture to pass up!

Look Closely

Melissa (one of Joel's coworkers) sent a gift home with Joel one day. There was a pair of sunglasses (?) and a bunch of onsies with things she had ironed onto them. This was my favorite. Anarya was quite co-operative with her facial expressions I think.

If you can't read the words at the top of the circle, it says "change me."

Billirubin

Anarya's bilirubin was high enough that she made four visits to the doctor before she was 2 weeks old. She was quite yellow but was never diagnosed with jaundice. After her numbers were down, the Dr. was still concerned about the fact that she hadn't gained the weight she'd lost since birth. She is slowly gaining but is still taking her time about it.
For a while, we would lay her in the sun that came into our room each morning and she would have her morning feeding there. I think each of the girls took at least one turn feeding her like this.