4 months old today!

I am 4 months old today! Wow... Momma and Daddy can't believe I am so big already! Time is flying and I am developing new abilities every day. Today, I woke up shrieking - with joy, that is. I have discovered that I can make LOUD sounds with my vocal cords. Momma thinks it's pretty cute and sometimes even downright hysterical, but she can imagine that she might change her tune if I decide to use my new voice out in public a lot. :)

 I also tried using the Bumbo for the first time. It was kinda cool to play with my toy and be able to be sitting up. I was doing a great job grasping the toy and I was surprised when I knocked it to the floor off the tray. :)

Later on in the morning, we went to Mommy's doctor's for a blood draw in the morning and I was again a little charmer, but I also had a small love affair with the ceiling fan - it was mesmerizing... just like when I loved it at "Auntie" Michal's house a while back. Then, we were off to get Mommy some lunch. I napped in the Ergo while she enjoyed some tacos. Then, we stopped at a consignment store in Wallingford where Momma scored me a baby Northface jacket for $6! I can't wait to wear it when we go camping. I'll be a styling baby for sure. :)

Daddy came home early and we went to my pediatrician's office. I was a smiley baby during my exam (a big change from past appointments where I cried when I had to be stripped down!), and Dr. Tom said I am growing well! Here are my official measurements:

Weight: 15lbs 5oz.  That's 74%. No wonder Momma's arms hurt!

Height: 26.25 in. That's 94%. I'm tall! 

Head circumference: 42cm. That's 50%. 

I had to get some shots but I handled them like a champ. I got to nurse while being poked and we think that helped me feel less pain. I cried at first but then went back to my meal and didn't really fuss all night. Mommy only got close to tears when I cried, but it was so brief she was able to hold herself together. :)

Since I was doing well, Mommy and Daddy brought me to the Madrona Alehouse to hang out with some of my PEPS babyfriends. I had fun watching everybody and then took a snooze on Daddy's chest in the Ergo. We stopped for ice cream and then came home to put me to bed.  It was a full day! 

Reading with Mommy

Not much sleep again... bummer!  Mommy is really getting tired, but she still makes my days fun. We lounged in our PJs for a while today and spent a long time reading.  I love books!  Today, I was having fun reading a few of my current favorites (including the Busy Doggies book Daddy ordered for me after seeing a toddler with it at Auntie's house).  

We went to a doctor's appointment for Mommy and I was a little charmer, smiling at everyone in the office.  Then we just hung around the house and played with Daddy when he got home.  It was a lazy day because Momma was so tired. 

Sick Day for Mommy

Well, I was so tired last night that I guess it caught up to me and I had a 5 hour stretch of sleep. Hooray!  Mom only slept about 3.5 - 4 of those hours, but she'll take it.  It's the longest she's slept at one time in over a week.  What she won't take, however, is how sick she woke up feeling all night - like a bad cold and sore throat.  Kobe was a bit sick this morning too, so Daddy stayed home with us.  I had fun playing with Daddy while Momma tried to rest. 

During my first nap, I was practicing rolling in my sleep... I woke  myself up when I got stuck on one side and started screaming.  Uh-oh... when I can roll over, my parents are supposed to stop swaddling me when I sleep.  They don't want to do that because I am so snuggly when swaddled and it helps me stay sleeping longer. Mom & Dad attempted to do my second nap unswaddled, but it was pretty short.  They ended up swaddling me again... but after I cried to wake up, they started to unswaddle me, and I fell back asleep, so I stayed sleeping like that for a little while (see: photo above).  

Mommy was feeling better by the last afternoon, so we decided to join my yoga friends at Starbucks for Happy Hour.  I had fun seeing the three boys I like playing with who are all within a couple weeks of me, and Momma had fun chatting with her friends.  We are getting so big!

Introducing... the Jumparoo!

 Today involved lots of new things. First, I had fun playing with my friends on the activity gym, including a new friend - big owl. I liked the crinkly parts on her and had fun grasping her with both hands an pulling her into my mouth, which is what I do with all toys nowadays. :)    
After I took a morning nap, it was time for my introduction to those fourth grade students I heard for months while in Momma's belly. They were very excited to meet me! We came at lunch timr and a few girls even refused to eat their lunch, they spent the whole time following me around. I was in a jolly mood even though the first rush of lots of faces all around me in an instant was a little startling - I had big, wondrous eyes at that point. But Momma walked me around the classroom and I said hi to everyone. 

Then Momma laid me down on my blanket on the floor and everyone gathered around to see me smile and coo as Momma moved my legs around - something that's certain to get smiles from me nowadays. I was constantly told how cute and how big I was and those little girls especially just loved me. I am such a lady charmer. :) A few kids asked if I can walk or sit or crawl yet (give a boy some time!), lots of kids wanted to know if Momma and I liked the cards they sent when I was born, someone asked Momma if she remembered her name (silly!), and someone told Momma she looked tired in the video she sent the day after I was born in the hospital (well, of course she was! That was sleepless night 1 of 1,000,000 to come!). It was a very sweet visit, though. 

Then it was off to participate in my first school meeting as Mommy met with her new principal. I fussed and just had to eat during this meeting (even though it hadn't been that long since I ate at home), but luckily, the new principal also has a baby and she is understanding. Momma says it wasn't her most professional moment though. :) 

When we were at school, "Auntie" Michal gave us what was to instantly become my favorite toy... the Jumparoo! Daddy was here when we got home, so we assembled it right away. I was a bit fussy when Mpmma put me in, but as she lowered me, the sound went from "waaah...waaah...waaah...ah!" and it was love at first bounce! How fun it is to be upright, bounce a bit, and have all these cool things to play with. I was a happy baby! Momma couldn't believe how much of a big boy I looked, like a real older baby, playing with the Jumparoo.  I was really interacting with it too - I was especially trying to turn the ball and grasp the spinning wheel. We Facetimed with Grandma and Grandpa because it was so cool to watch! 

Then we were off to PEPs. It was Guys Night Out but apparently that only applied to the daddies, because they went off bowling while I stayed with the mommies and babies at one of the houses. I was overtired though, so I had a nap in the Ergo for a bit before Momma set me down on the blanket to play with my little friends. 

I was zonked at bedtime! 

Memorial Day fun at the Aquarium!

Hi everyone,


Even though it was drizzly outside, we found lots of fun ways to cap off this long weekend of hanging out as a little family. Despite little sleep (again again), we had fun playing together in the morning.


 I am really trying hard to roll over and can get up to my side. Actually, with my bed raised a little behind my head, I almost DID roll over last night a few times, ending up crookedly laying in the co-sleeper. Mom said that was enough of that and lowered me down to how it normally is in the middle of the night. She didn't think it was helping anyway and wants to be able to keep swaddling me for as long as possibly because I still wake myself up a lot when I have my arms free. She and Daddy spent a good chunk of time reading sleep books together, trying to figure out what the problem might be. They are somewhat annoyed because different books give different, contradictory advice. Pick me up when I cry right away or let me try to settle for just a few moments first? Get me sleepy before putting me down or wake me up slightly first?  And what exactly is causing these hourly nighttime wakeups anyway? The verdict is still out...pre- teething, normal development (practicing skills in my sleep), allergies to dust/hair (Daddy is going to vacuum extra well tonight), being too hot or cold, discomfort with the double swaddle or swaddleme.. Who knows! Well, I probably do, but I'm clearly not telling. I'll just keep letting them experiment for now until they get it right or I outgrow this phase, whatever comes first. Good thing I'm so cute and I'm only this little once.


Now, back to our Memorial Day activities. After a fun morning playing together, we headed to the aquarium!  Daddy faced me outward in the Bjorn, and I LOVED looking at all the fish tanks everywhere. My eyes were so big as we approached each and every exhibit. The jellyfish that floated all around me and changed color were pretty cool, so was the big waves of the tidal pool, the giant octopus that came right up to the glass by my face, the multi-colored neon fish tanks in the dark, and the river otters and sea lions. I loved it all!  We had so much fun that we bought a Family+ pass for the year so we can go any time we want and bring another adult for free. We can't wait to go with Auntie and Uncle and my visiting Grandparents later in the year. :)



On the way home, we stopped at Trader Joes. It was my first time in a grocery store and, although I started off sleeping, I woke up and thought it was pretty cool. Mommy and Daddy had fun figuring out how my car seat fits in the carriage and how to position me at the counter while they pay.

At night, "Uncle" Andy came over and played Settlers with Mom and Dad after they made some pizza and salad. I had fun watching them and smiling at Uncle Andy until partway through, when the busy activities of the day conked me out. :)

BBQin'

No, good sleep wasn't in the cards again for me last night, but Mommy and Daddy seemed to be happy to play with me in the morning anyway. I was up for quite a while and then crashed hard - right as I was supposed to be going to Auntie Nicole's house for her Memorial Day BBQ. I slept for two whole hours in my crib. 

Then, it was off to the BBQ, where I met lots of Auntie & Uncle's friends (big and small) and got some good cuddles. I discovered a really cool book about doggies that you can see me enjoying in the attached pictures. Daddy ordered me my own copy from Amazon right away. 

After the BBQ, we brought a TV from our basement over to "Auntie" Kacie's new house and helped her rip up her carpet a little bit. I thought the sound of the shop vac was pretty cool - loud white noise! I imagine I will be visiting this new house quite often in my future. 

   

Cars = my arch nemesis

Last night was a bit better than the horrible night before, but it was still pretty rough, with me waking up a lot.  Both Mom & Dad were pretty tired, but we had fun playing together and having a lazy Saturday morning anyway.  It's a good thing I'm so gosh darn cute, they say. 

In the afternoon, we went to test drive a Prius V (the wagon version of our car) because Momma & Daddy say that Momma's car is on its way out and my stuff and I seem to take up a lot of extra space nowadays!  I wasn't so thrilled with the idea, seeing as riding in the car is not my idea of a good time, but I rolled with it and, aside from the test drive part, was a very good boy.  (Luckily, the salesman let us go out by ourselves so he didn't have to be subjected to the loud static that had to be played to calm me down or my intermittent crying).  The verdict's still out on the car... Momma and Daddy liked it but didn't love it, and they aren't so sure they really want to add another car payment just yet.  But I had fun watching everything going on inside and outside the dealership.  And, no, we were not interested in that bright orange car pictured in the background. :)

Then we went for dinner at Shamiana's, Momma & Daddy's favorite Indian place.  I slept through it, which they were thankful for.  A little more crying in the car, and then it was time to visit with Auntie Nicole & Uncle Mitra.  I was pretty tired, though, so they spent a lot of time trying to soothe me... and then I fell promptly asleep on the way home. 

 

Happy Hour with my PEPS peeps!

Last night was pretty rough for Momma. I woke up every hour or every other hour, crying - even after she fed me. I sounded a little snotty in the middle of the night, so Momma took me to the pediatrician - her first "silly new mom concern" visit.  We saw a different doctor this time and she was really nice.  She said I could just be going through a developmental shift which can typically interrupt sleep, or I could have a tiny bit of reflux because I'm eating in a horizontal position and then laying down.  She suggested Mom & Dad lift the head part of my bed up a little bit and see if that helps. She also confirmed that none of Momma's silly little concerns are correct - I do not have a flat head, my pooping only a couple times a week is perfectly normal, etc., etc.  Mommy knew this was all true, but it doesn't hurt to ask the doctor.  Oh, and they weighed me in at... 15.2 lbs!  Phew!  Can't wait to see what my length is and what percentiles that is at my 4 month checkup next week. 

The only baby around my age that I know that's bigger than me is my buddy Olaf from PEPs (but he's a month older!).  I'm just a giant baby!  After Mommy and I spent the day lounging (eating and sleeping a little bit more) and the doctor said I do not have a cold, Daddy came home and we walked to Smith on 15th for our first Happy Hour with our parent and baby friends from PEPs.  Olaf kept trying to hold my hand - this was the best picture Momma got of it.  It was really cute.

At night, we went to "Auntie" Kacie & "Uncle" Rich's new house to celebrate them getting their keys and becoming first-time homeowners in W. Seattle!  We are so happy for them.  I was up past my bedtime but it was fun to see them anyway. 

I am also working *really* hard on rolling over... I can do it with the little ABC pillow underneath me from my activity gym, but when I am just on my tummy, I mostly flail my limbs in an attempt to roll but then cry until Mom or Dad helps me. I am delighted when I am suddenly on my back again, though!  Mom and Dad say there's no rush in me learning this new skill... they are happy feeling comfortable swaddling me and having an immobile baby for a change. :)

Another fun thing today was that I might be developing an affinity for a little monkey lovey I was given at my baby shower in RI. I was really interested in it and was gripping it in both hands... it's so soft.  Another thing I love gripping in both hands is Mommy's hand - I keep trying to bring it to my face to suck on. :)  I just can't get enough of sucking on anything that comes near my mouth... and drooling all over my shirts nowadays.  I am definitely the DroolMaster! 

Pacific Science Center Adventure

Today's picture is of me and Momma in the butterfly garden at the Pacific Science Center. We went with a couple baby friends after having lunch at the Center House at Seattle Center. I liked all the leaves and the quick flashes that Momma called butterflies. I was wide awake and watching it all!

I had so much fun playing on my activity gym today. When I tried to fall asleep at 7:30pm, Daddy was able to keep me up by putting me down to play with my friends. I was such a happy baby! He also played me some classical music and helped me dance to it. I seem to like that.

It's possible that I am teething. I want to put everything in my mouth - including Momma's hand - and that might interrupt my sleep. I'm also a little snotty so that could be a culprit too. Either way, Momma is hoping I give her some good sleep tonight!

Sleep... what's that?

You know Momma's pretty sleep deprived when...she doesn't take a single photo all day of me! That was yesterday, but she snapped a cute photo of me this morning to make up for it. It's me showing how I feel about waking up all night long again. You don't want to see a photo of how Momma or Daddy feel about it.

Despite being exhausted, Momma took me to our Next Months group and the nurse facilitator said I'm thriving. I agree. Then, we went looking for new jeans that Momma can fit into better downtown in the shopping center. She didn't find any, but I took a good snooze in the stroller after a stop at the Nordstrom ladies lounge to nurse and change my diaper. We got home and played with Daddy for a little while and then Momma tried to sleep early when I did. It wasn't particularly successful, but maybe tonight will be better. Good thing I'm cute - she says I'm worth it.

Naked Baby time

Yesterday was pretty fun. In the morning, I got some naked baby time in my crib. The book Mommy's reading says that this will help me work on more movement because I am uninhibited by my diaper. All it seems to have done is make me an even cuter subject for Momma's photo habit. I liked it though.

We went to yoga (where I finally took a nap - see: below) and then out to lunch with my yoga baby friends at Cafe Flora  before heading to my brother's doctor. Mommy says I've been to the vet more than the pediatrician nowadays. Don't worry, though, brother Kobe is fine. After two hours in that little room, it was determined that he just had a little bit of an upset tummy again.  

After we got home, it was time for PEPs where I played with the other babies on the floor and the adults ate and talked. At one point, one baby friend, Sadie, and I were holding hands. She's an older woman, which Mommy and Daddy says in scandalous. They also call me a big flirt. But, hey - there are 5 girls and 2 boys (including me) in my PEPs group. What's a boy to do?

 

Loungin' and Hikin'

Mommy and I mostly lounged around during the day. I was a sleepy and hungry boy and I had kept Momma up most of the night before so she was tired. In the afternoon, though, we went outside and hung out on our blanket in the backyard. One of my favorite things these days is leaves so I loved watching the trees everywhere move with the wind. Way better than the few branches outside the window by my changing table!  We had fun chatting and I was doing a great job grabbing my O Ball and bringing it up to my mouth. Everything I see needs to be put in my mouth in my opinion nowadays.

Daddy came home early so we played together a little outside and then Mommy left for this thing she called work. I have never heard of Momma doing this before but she said she had an important meeting to attend. So, Daddy was in charge and I promptly took a 1.5 hour nap for him.. Longer of a break than I have given Mommy. How nice for him!   Then, Daddy and I played on my activity gym before Momma got home and I watched her cook dinner which they ate before feeding me and then taking brother and I out for a walk. We explored a new park nearby that's like a big forest. I loved it because of all the trees and leaves and because Daddy tried carrying me facing outward in the Bjorn so I could see more (and put my mouth all over it). Score!

  

  

 PS. Here is a picture of the new Baby TV: leaves! Also known as: how mom got to brush her teeth and take Kobe out yesterday morning. Oh, and one of me and my O Ball.

Baby Party! Woot!

Hi everyone,

Momma's been a little sleepy lately and is behind on helping me write these messages, so sorry for the delay. Not sure what's keeping her up at night....

Oh right - it's me. I haven't been that terrific of a sleeper lately (although during the day, I am starting to be a little more predictable with my naps). On Sunday, we were busy! We hung out in the morning, playing together as a family until I took a nice nap in my crib. Mom and I watched Daddy mow the lawn while we played on the blanket and I was working so hard to roll over from my tummy to back. It hasn't happened yet - I still needed help - but it's coming soon!

Then we went to Golden Gardens beach park for a picnic with our Centering (pregnancy group) friends and their babies. It was so fun to see all my friends. I am the second oldest of the group by a few days but am definitely the biggest!

At night, Andy, David and Sam came over for dinner and whatever TV show it is they watch with Mom and Dad. I'm not allowed to see the TV but I did spend a few minutes sitting on the couch like a big boy with them before passing out for the night. I kept pulling myself up on the boppy and Mon and Sam helped me sit. It was pretty cute.  That's the only picture Mom took all day on her phone but one day she'll upload all the photos from her big camera on Facebook so you can see them there. :)

At the car wash...

 Today was lots of fun. I spent the morning having fun with Mommy and Daddy in the house for a bit and then took a big nap. Afterwards, we went shopping for new camping gear and poked out a couple tents that might fit Mom, Dad, brother Kobe, me and all my gear. We are going to set them up and pick one later this week.  


See the pictures below from our adventure - Daddy using me to check out the tent on the shelf and me having my first experience at the Costco car wash. I was completely enthralled by it. Check out my big eyes! I thought all the noises and stuff sprayed on the windshield was all pretty crazy.  Afterwards, it. was off to Auntie & Uncle's house for a delicious meal at night where I had fun smiling at everyone before passing out. :) Check out my cute pic with Auntie Nicole. I was all smiles

Shopped out

Today we went up to Everett to have lunch with Daddy & "Uncle" Andy since Daddy had a long day ahead of him and was planning to be home late. I dressed in my special Boeing-appropriate hoodie from Aunt Dawn for the occasion. 

After lunch, Mommy and I went shopping up north looking for new camping supplies since we might attempt camping next week and Momma and Daddy say they need to upgrade their stuff because of me. :) Momma learned how to shop alone with a baby and a giant Costco cart (using an Ergo).

It was a long day of shopping (and car feeds and on-the-go diaper changes) and there was lots of traffic so we were glad to get home. I was pretty good in the car even though I have hated car rides lately. Finally, when we got home, we had fun laying on the couch and chatting together before time.

Toothless Barricuda Strikes Again!

Today was full of activity. I woke Momma up at quarter to 7 and we played together until it was time to head to a new movie theater to see Gatsby. It was a long movie but I ate, slept, and ate again and then it was over.  Then, my friends Julius and Hannah and their mommies Amanda and Cazz came with us to Red Robin for lunch.  Funny story... I have been giving Momma hickeys from sucking on her arm when she carries me and I did it to myself when I was there. It looks like I am an abused child. See: photo.

  

After Momma's belly was full, we went to Babies R Us so Momma could get a mirror for the car that she thinks will make me happier because it lights up. I was interested in it for a few minutes on the way home but I am told when the batteries are installed it will be even better. I just hate the car so much sometimes so we hope it helps.

At night, Mommy, Daddy and I went on a long walk in Capitol Hill through Volunteer Park. I slept most of the way but then enjoyed it.

I was all about Daddy when we got home and we had fun reading stories, talking, and watching Daddy dance for me. We also played with the activity gym and I had so much fun holding lion and squealing and kicking with delight. Then, after a big feed, it was time for bed. Goodnight!
  

Green Lake Hikin'

Today was lots of fun. In the morning, Momma and I slept in a little bit and then played, fed and cuddled until noon when it was time to meet my little friend Hannah and her Mommy Amanda at Green Lake. After a quick stop at Starbucks, we were off to walk around the lake. Even though the forecast said rain, it was sunny until the exact moment we finished the walk. I had a great nap in the Ergo the whole time.

At night, Daddy and I played a bit before Auntie Nicole came over and we Facetimed with Grandma Linda and planned our upcoming trip to CA to meet my other Auntie Dawn and cousin Aidan. I can't wait! Afterwards, I was a sleepy boy and went to bed early.