PKB: Month 4

Porter, today we celebrate 4 months of our lives with you in it!

(I realize your clothing isn't all that appropriate for the season, but I wanted to dress you in the same outfit your big bro wore for his 4 month pic!)

And here is a look at how you changed week-to-week:

What's the latest in your little world?

• For the most part, you have kept about the same eating and sleeping schedule. We have had a couple of early-morning wakeups here and there, but I think it was due to your feeding times the previous evenings. We've pretty much worked it out, so now you are back to laying down at 7:30pm and waking around 7:15-7:30am.You eat five times a day with four naps in between. I think the first nap we'll be saying adios to will be your catnap from 6:30ish to 7:00 in the evening. 

• You have been almost completely weaned from your SwaddleMe blanket. I began a few weeks ago by laying you down for your first and final naps of the day without it, and aside from some initial fussing, you coped fairly well and were still able to rest. Losing the wrap for your long afternoon nap was not quite as successful; you struggled to fall and stay asleep without it, so I had to gradually wrap you with your hands peeking out of the top, then your arms out. Now I'm just putting it around your waist, and you're pretty consistently sleeping for 2 to 2 1/2 hours during this nap. Leaving you unswaddled at night was a risk I was not completely sure I was willing to take; we value our long stretch of nighttime sleep, and I was uncertain it would occur without the help of your swaddle. I decided to bite the bullet on February 1. Surprisingly, when I lay you down you didn't make a peep, fell asleep within minutes, and stayed asleep the entire night! You've continued this pattern for nearly two weeks. Way to go, Rockstar! 

• Since your arms are now free when you're sleeping, I figured it was prime time to introduce you to a lovie. Kaiser's cuddly friend Buster Bear has been so special to him, and I thought it would be nice for you to have one a lot like his, so we gave you an blue elephant Angel Dear blankie (yet to be named) for Christmas. You grab onto him and kind of nuzzle/bite on his nose when I give him to you after laying you down. So, so precious. I think you two will be good friends. :) 

• Your increasing awareness of/interest in the world around you means you are more and more distracted while nursing. You will frequently throw your head back and try to look at something in the room that catches your eye. Of course, Mommy is not a huge fan of this new habit for a couple of reasons. Not only is it not super-pleasant for me, but I also want to make sure you get all of the food you need. I remember going through this phase with Kaiser, and am thinking about relocating to your room, were there are a few less distractions, instead of nursing you on the living room couch during your daytime feedings. 

• You are most definitely laughing out loud now. It's getting easier and easier to get a belly laugh out of you, and that giggle is absolutely one of the best sounds in the world! Usually lots of kissing/nuzzling your neck gets you going. Playing "Where's Porter?" with a burp cloth, "dropping" you while playing airplane on our legs, and fake sneezing have also done the trick. Munching on your thighs during diaper changes gets you squirming and squeaking with a wide-open smile, too.

• In addition to your sweet laughter, we've been hearing all sorts of new noises escape your mouth. Three days ago, I let you sit in your bouncy seat and watch your first Praise Baby DVD while Daddy, Mommy, and Kaiser were eating dinner. Oh my, you suddenly got very loud! Every so often we would hear a string of squeals and gurgles. Initially I thought you were uninterested and getting antsy, but upon coming over to look at you I realized they were sounds of delight. Just since then, I feel like you've become much more vocal -- case in point.

• You've been logging some serious time in your exersaucer and seem to really enjoy it. At first you would lose interest unless someone was right there beside you helping you bounce or pressing buttons to make music and noises. However, recently you have become more interactive with it. I can see that you are starting to use your hands to (perhaps somewhat intentionally?) bat at the hanging and spinning toys in your reach. I'm glad that you are having fun in your exersaucer, because I'm trying to avoid laying you flat on the floor as much as possible; thus, our baby gym (which Kaiser adored) is not getting much use.

• Besides your exersaucer, your other favorite toys this month have been small ones that you can grab and hold on to. You especially love your Sassy wooden bird, which was a gift to your big brother from Aunt Kir Kir and family. You also get a kick out of your fabric keys. The squeaky sound they make never fails to make you smile.

• This month you seem to have discovered your tongue. You've spent all sorts of time experimenting with sticking it out and using it to try to make noise. I've been trying to check your bottom gums for signs of incoming teeth, and without fail your tongue immediately comes -- and stays -- out when I try to take a peek inside your mouth. 

• Though the past week or so has been better, I do believe you are the most congested/snottiest little boy this momma ever did see. You usually wake up kind of snorting like a piglet, and though it wears off after a bit, I'm often wiping at your nose after a big sneeze sends yuckiness a-flyin'. Your Daddy has chronic nose issues, and I have a sneaking suspicion you may be following in his footsteps. I hope and pray you don't struggle to breathe like he often does!

• You have your 4 month well-baby checkup this Wednesday, and I can't wait to see how much you have grown. You're finishing up the last of your size 1 diapers, and will be moving up to size 1-2 in a couple of days. I've packed away most of your size 0-3 month clothes; though a couple of outfits and onesies still fit, you wear mostly 3-6 month items now. 

Here are some of my other favorite shots of you from this month:

Good morning, Sunshine.

Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Love our changing table time together.

Bjorning it up at the Children's Museum.

Prepster.

They really don't come any cuter.

Lil thug.

Nom nom nom.

That cherub face. Good grief.

Not quite ready to sit on your own, but making progress!

Sweet P, life with you is getting more and more fun with each passing day. Your smiles, giggles, and squeals are just the best. Please keep 'em coming!

XOXO