3...4...So Much More

Week 3
Shereif's parents came to visit and to meet Alyssa. They think that she looks like me, and my family thinks she resembles my younger brother and I when we were little. The neighbors, however, think that Alyssa looks like Shereif. I think she has features from the both of us, but she is constantly changing and growing so fast.

Fun Fact: Alyssa's birth announcement was in various newspapers this week. We submitted the information to the local paper, but other newspapers also published her birth. One even had all of our information, such as our ages and address, which is a bit scary.

Likes:

• Getting dressed: Alyssa is so patient with us when we dress her. She seems to like wearing different outfits, and I have a feeling she is going to love playing dress up when she is older.
• Hearing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"
• Getting burped
• Rides in the stroller
• Bouncer: Alyssa used her bouncer chair for the first time and loved the vibrations.
  

Dislikes:

• Cold Monster
• Having to wait to eat
  
• "Blow-outs:" Alyssa had her first major diaper emergency. While eating, she had a large blow-out that got on Mommy, the pillow, and herself. It has happened a few times since, and we cannot help but laugh that we find her bowel movements so cute. We never thought that we would talk about them so much either.
  

Week 4
Happy Father's Day! Alyssa surprised daddy with a card and tie (the first of many yet to come). Shereif loved spending the whole day with his daughter for his first Father's Day.

Alyssa had her 1 month check-up and passed with flying colors. She now weighs 9 lbs, 12 oz. which impressed the doctor. He joked that I must be feeding her buttermilk. Alyssa's head circumference is 36.7 cm, and she is now 21.5 inches long. She has grown so much, and she measured above average in everything! We are still amazed with Alyssa's neck strength since she is able to hold her head up when we carry her. She loves looking around and up at us.

Fun Fact: Alyssa's smiles melt our hearts. The first few weeks consisted of "gas smiles," but now she smiles when we laugh and when she is content after eating and sleeping. They are wide, toothless grins that we absolutely love!

Likes:

• Getting hair brushed
• Different sounds from musical toys
• Daddy's songs that he makes up and sings to her
• Being put in the Baby Bjorn carrier: We went to the neighbor's first birthday party, and Shereif carried her in it. She slept through the entire party even though music was playing and tons of people were being loud.
  

Dislikes:

• Gas
• Not being held
• Dirty diapers
• Cold wipes