4 Months

Dear Ellison,

You are four months old!  I know I say it every month, and I know it sounds like a broken record, but I can't believe another month has gone by already!  You are getting so big so fast, and while it seems strange to think that you're 4 months old already, it also seems strange to think that you've only been with us for 4 months!  You've been a busy little bee this month.  Here are a few highlights.

-Your 4 month well visit is scheduled for next week, so we'll know then how big you are.  At your doctor's appointment today (for the never ending stomach bug), you were 13 pounds 5 oz.

-You still comfortably fit in size 1 diapers, and I hope you stay there for a while becuase we still have a couple of giant boxes of that size!

-You're pretty much wearing 3-6 month clothes all the time now.  Some of your 3 month clothes still fit but are getting a little short.  You are wearing 3-6 month and some Carter's 6 month footie pajamas....you are too long for 3 month now. 

-You're still a really great sleeper and we are so thankful for that!  You are usually down from about 9-6, give or take a half hour or so on either side.  We can pretty much count on 9 good hours of sleep.  On the weekends, we can usually readjust you in your crib (you're still scooting all over the place!) and give you your paci and you'll sleep for another hour or so.  You don't have a set nap schedule, but you usually take three or four naps a day.  You tend to take a nice long nap early afternoon that lasts around 2 hours.  The rest of your naps are just 30-45 minute cat naps. 

-When you get sleepy now, you rub your little eyes with your fists and nuzzle into our shoulders.  You've also started suckling a little on your bottom lip.  These cues always signal that a good nap is on the way!

-You are still so happy in the mornings when you wake up!  You are all smiles and giggles!

-We started feeding you 6 oz bottles at 16 weeks.  You are a great eater and usually eat every 3-4 hours during the day.  We've had you on the CVS brand of Similac Sensitive for a while now, but are taking the doctor's suggestion of trying Nutramigen for a week to see if it helps finally get rid of this upset stomach you've had for the last 6 days.

-Speaking of your upset stomach, the day after Christmas you started with a pretty nasty stomach bug.  You had it, I had it, your dad had it...you still have a touch of it but we are crossing our fingers and toes and praying hard that you're on the mend.  It was the first time you were realy sick, and it was terrible!  We felt so bad for you.  You'd look at us with your big, sad eyes as if to say, "What the heck is happening?!"  But, then you'd smile and giggle and we'd know it was all going to be OK.

-On Christmas Eve you rolled from your back to your belly.  I still haven't seen you go from your belly to your back yet, and you haven't done much rolling at all since the one time we saw you.  You roll over onto your side pretty much everytime we lay you on your back now.  You are very strong on your belly now though and tolerate tummy time really well when you're in a good mood!  You hold yourself up nice and tall with your arms and can spin yourself around in a full circle while laying on your belly.

-You still really love your play mat.  There's one toy in particular that makes you giggle so much!  It's a soft block with a bumblebee on the side.  We can always make you laugh by showing you the bee and saying "buzz, buzz, buzz!"

-You are really reaching for your toys now and pick your favorite when given the choice.  You still love your Taggie blanket and are now also enjoying Sophie the giraffe, your stuffed giraffe and stuffed elephant, and a few teethers.  EVERYTHING goes in your mouth now!  Toys, blankets, hands...This makes me think you're definitely starting to teethe because you've also become quite the drool monster! 

-Your legs are so strong.  When we have you sitting in our laps, you like to push up to standing with your little legs.  You really seem to like standing!  You also sit really well when we support your back.  You like sitting up and facing forward so much more than you like lying down.  I think there's much more to entertain you when you're up!

-You went out with Daddy on your first big solo outing.  You went to meet some of his friends at Fox and the Hound to watch football the Sunday before Christmas.  You were such a good girl and took a nice long nap while you were there.

-You have decided that you really love the Bjorn.  You hated it at first.  Now that you're big enough to face forward, you think it's the best thing since sliced bread and it's our go to when you're a little fussy.  I think you like being up at adult height taking in the world.  You have also started tolerating your Bumbo for longer periods.  Personally, I think it looks really uncomfortable!  Cousin Lola grew out of her Johnny Jump Up, so she sent it to you to use.  You think it's lots of fun, too.  I'm looking forward to you being able to sit up on your own because I know it will make you so happy!

 

 

 

 

-You are still super chatty.  Your new favorite noise is "woo" and you have the sweetest little giggle.  You think your daddy is hilarious, and you love it when we kiss your feet and your belly. 

-You've really started to notice Buddy lately too.  You'll watch him walk around the room and will smile so big when he comes over to see you.

-You've started watching your daddy and I alot more too and notice when we leave the room. 

-School is going really well.  You seem to really like all of your teachers.  They are all so sweet to you and we have been very happy with the care you're getting there.  I think you're learning so much!

-You had a special visitor at the beginning of the month.  Nonni came to visit from Louisiana for a few days.  You girls hung out around the house for a couple of days and got some quality play and snuggle time in!  It was too short of a trip.  We can't wait to visit with her again soon...maybe next time we'll go see everyone down in LA!

-The biggest, most fun thing that happened this month was your first Christmas.  I'll do a whole separate post on that because we did so many fun things!  You picked out your first tree, met Santa, got lots of fun gifts, and got to spend lots of time with people who love you very much.

-2012 is coming to and end.  It was the most wonderful year.  We can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.  We are so excited to watch you grow.  We love you to the moon and stars and back.

Happy 4 months, baby girl.