Maloney Baloney, we find ourselves here yet again. This time, you are 4 months old!
Getting prettier and prettier with each passing week:
So what's the story, Morning Glory?
- Your eating and sleeping habits haven't changed all that much since last month. You nurse five times a day (still haven't made much headway with the bottle), and take three naps a day. Your first two are about 1-1 1/2 hours long, and your third a bit longer at 2-3 hours. You only take a fourth catnap in the evening when your afternoon nap goes awry and you just can't make it to your 7pm feeding. Your nighttime stretches are still awesome, usually from 7:30/8pm-7am. We've had just a couple of mornings where you wake way too early (around 5:00); for the sake of your brothers sleeping next door, you've been relocated to the pack-n-play in the basement when it takes you longer than a few minutes to calm down.
- The past couple of weeks I'd been thinking it might be time to lose the SwaddleMe blanket at night. At first I thought we'd wait until after you turned 4 months, but then on a whim this past Sunday night, I decided to bite the bullet and lay you down swaddle-less. You fussed a little, but really not any more than you normally do when settling down to sleep. It hasn't been a seamless transition; we had a rough night, followed by a smooth night, followed by another rough night, and then another smooth night. However, I'm optimistic that it won't be long before you're completely comfortable sleeping with your arms and legs free. I did start giving you your lavender hippo lovey to snuggle; hopefully she will provide as much comfort for you as Buster has for Kaiser and Ziggy has for Porter!
And now, what to name this hippo of yours...
- You are becoming quite the smiley stinker these days. It doesn't take much to get you to crack one of your grins, and man are they cute. Just in case you need proof:
Cute.
Cute.
Cah-ute.
- Your frequent smiles are almost always accompanied by your overactive tongue. When you get tickled, boy does it get goin'!
Pretty tame under the Christmas tree.
Your mobile got you a little more excited.
All fired up for the Sooners' bowl game!
Who knew bedtime was such a thrill?!?
- This month you brightened our world even more when you began laughing. We first heard that precious sound on December 30; though you're not engaging in giggle-fests all the time just yet, periodically you are in the right mood (often just after nursing) and let some chuckles out. Sweetest. Sound. Ever. About a week ago, you thought Mommy was pretty darn funny when I said, "Oh-oh-oh!" and I caught some little laughs on my iPhone.
- We might have to add "Chatty Kathy" to your list of nicknames, because you are talking more and more lately. You get very animated and intense when you're telling us stories or singing us songs. I can't wait until you have words to let us know what's really going on in that head of yours! Here are a few seconds of you beltin' it out before nap the other day:
- Your affection for your hands has greatly increased this month. If they are free, you are almost sure to be sucking on them. Quite a tasty snack! You started with your fingers, but from the looks of things, before long you'll be capable of shoving your entire fist in your mouth...
"Gotta have something to keep me busy during this Xmas photo shoot."
Caught red- wet-handed.
- You are getting to be more and more of a wiggle worm. When placed on the ground, you almost immediately arch your back, turn your head, and roll to your side. Your repeated back-to-side-to-back-to-side rolls effectively move you short distances across the floor, though it is in no way intentional.
Pretty sure that's not where Mommy laid you down...
- You haven't yet rolled from tummy to back -- and I'm not certain you will anytime soon, seeing as when you are placed on your tummy, you almost immediately pull your arms back down by your sides, instead of keeping them out in front of you and using them to support your chest. So, we'll keep working on that...
Super Baby!
- One thing's for sure: You have got some super duper strong legs. We're considering taking our balancing act on the road. Pops thinks you might have a future in acrobatics. :)
- You still love to play "up/down" and peek-a-boo. Patty cake is one of your new favorites, too. We've also started playing "I'm gonna get you" (the game where I leave you lying on the floor of your room, crawl out the door, and then sneak back around the corner whispering, "I'm gonna get you, I'm gonna get you, I'm gonna get you..." until I finally do!). It always gets you revved up.
"Soooo...are you gonna come get me, or what???"
- You are getting more comfortable chillin' in your exersaucer for short stretches of time. You're still taking in all the sights and sounds and not sure how everything works, though. I can't wait until you can grab at toys more intentionally and really interact with them.
Still have that overwhelmed look about you.
- You have had several sweet brother moments this past month with Porter (and a few with Kaiser, too, but he's the less affectionate of the two). You continue to watch your big brothers with great interest and are absolutely delighted when they give you any attention.
Showing you some love with your monkey rattle.
Here's a quick clip I got of you two playing:
"He may be a toot sometimes, but I know he loves me!"
- You have outgrown many of your 0-3 month clothes and are currently wearing either 3 month or 3-6 month (depending upon the brand). You are still in a size 1 diaper, though we may venture into the 1-2 world after we finish what we've got. I can't wait to see how many ell-bees you've put on at your 4 month appointment next Tuesday!
Obligatory bonus material:
Scheming.
Hey, Blue Eyes.
Quiet nighttime moments with my girl.
"Don't mind me, just wrestling this here bear."
"Just because we're wearing pjs all day doesn't mean I can't look pretty!"
My midget clown.
Check out that post-nap bedhead!
My Dimpled Darling,
My love for you grows by leaps and bounds with each passing day. I literally can't get enough of you! Sometimes I think my heart may explode. You're my pride and joy.
XOXO
