Four Month Birthday! May 24th-30th

Happy 4 month birthday to me!  Everyone can't believe that time has gone by so quickly and that I'm already 4 months old!  Can you believe it?

Here's a pic of me in practically my birthday suit. And look at my hair!

This week there were a lot of new things going on.  First off, I'm really playing with the toys above me now.  I am using both hands to touch the hanging toys, and some times I'm bringing my hands together to hold a toy.  It's all a recent development as I haven't been batting at toys since Mommy posted that I did about a month or so ago.  It seems that I do one new thing once, but not again for some time.  And then, the next thing you know, I'm doing it all the time.

I even managed to grab the ring all by myself.

Another first was that Mommy heard me laugh out loud on Monday.  She was carrying me and we were both looking in the mirror.  I actually laughed out loud, though there wasn't really a giggle or a laughing fit after it.  It happened just twice, but Mommy was thrilled!  She's been waiting to hear what I sound like when I laugh for a long time.  She wanted to know whether I sound similar to the "laughing while I'm sleeping" laugh.  Talk about the huge smile on Mommy's face!  She can't wait until I really start laughing out loud.




I still do love sleeping on Mommy.  It's my favorite, especially after she feeds me. 










I have a new outfit to show off, as well as a new facial expression.  Mommy caught me off guard, yeah, that's it.  When she showed Daddy this picture, he couldn't stop laughing.  I'm not sure I'm cool with him laughing at me, but I will admit that it's a funny look.





 It was really warm on Sunday, so I got to wear my aquarius short sleeved onesie again.  Might as well get as much use out of it as I can...I'm beginning to outgrow a lot of my clothes.

 Finally, we had dinner with Auntie Nathalie, Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie Naomi (I'll have to get a picture with her for next time).  Auntie Nathalie says I'm getting really heavy.  Time to work out more, Auntie!

Just for comparison sake.  The left picture I was almost one month old.  Underneath, 4 months old.  I definitely enjoy my bath now more than I did then. Talk about looks changing.  I don't even recognize myself.

      

Week 17 May 17th-23rd

So far, Mommy and Daddy have not seen a repeat performance of me rolling over.  Mommy thinks maybe it WAS a fluke after all.  I haven't been happy on tummy time lately (like I ever really am), so there's less practice time for me.  Too bad though.  They would've been thrilled to see it again.





On one of the rare occasions that I am ok with being on my tummy, I find what I'm seeing to be very interesting. 

And look how high I'm propped on my arms.  I did it all by myself.

One of the things I DO like when I'm playing on the gym is when Mommy or Daddy kiss my tummy.  I'm not quite sure how to react to it yet, but I do like it.

On another note, I found a new toy.  Well, new to me anyway.  Mommy and Daddy had it stashed in a corner for some time.  Auntie Melissa is letting us borrow it, as Zachary is too big for it now.  I'm not tall enough to reach the floor yet, but when my feet are propped up, it works out fine.  I think I like it, though I'm not sure just yet.

Here is a picture of me and Mommy.  See the wet spots on her shirt?  I did it.  I'm Mr. Drools, as Mommy calls me.












Check out my wet sleeves!  During this time, I found my feet again.  They aren't something that I look for, but when I do see them, I'm fascinated.

  I'm all about putting my fist in my mouth.  But here I am multi-tasking.  I hear it's a good skill to have.

By the way, the shirt says "I am the future."  Look at this face.  How can I be anything else?

Week 16 May 10th-16th

This last week I've been very consistent in sleeping through the night.  Don't get me wrong, I still wake up now and again, especially if I have a dirty diaper.  But it's definitely for a much shorter time and I fall asleep practically right away after Daddy or Mommy changes my diaper.  My folks are very happy about it, though I think they'd prefer that I sleep in a little later (rather than 6-630a).  I accommodated them by sleeping until about 830a this morning (Sunday).

I've found out that I REALLY like gnawing on my own fists.  Forget the fingers, I'm going for the whole fist!  I really do try to shove the whole thing in my mouth.  Some times I am pushing one hand into my mouth with my other hand.  A lot of times though, I end up gagging myself.  Ah well.  Just have to wait for that gag reflex to be less sensitive.

On a very exciting note, Mommy saw me roll over from my tummy to my back (on the bed) yesterday!  She thought it was a fluke until she saw me do it again.  I only roll off my left side, and it takes some effort.  She told Daddy and he was excited, though he wasn't sure he believed it (since he saw me do it about a month ago, with the help of my arm propped under me and a slant in the couch).  But then today, I showed him also!  I don't like tummy time much, but maybe I'll do it more if I get the same reaction from my folks every time.  They were very excited for me and clapped quite a bit.

Today Mommy and Daddy resumed their monthly gathering with some close friends.  They stopped having the gatherings right before I was born.  Now that I'm a bit bigger and somewhat easier to manage, they decided to have it at our house.

Here's me and Auntie Melissa.  She came to visit me when I was still in the hospital, but she didn't dare carry me then since I was so small.  She's not afraid anymore.

Here I am with Auntie Mel and her son Zach.  He was saying "hi" to me, though unfortunately, I wasn't really aware of him. He's so tall and big!












Auntie Rita was also here and she's beginning to become a professional in holding babies.  Mommy suggested that Auntie Rita hold me facing out, since that's what I seem to like lately. 











Uncle Jim still didn't want to pick me up because he thinks I'm too small.  But here he is with Zach, who is much more active and less fragile.

My parents hope I continue to be consistent with sleeping (knocking on wood) and I hope I can WOW them with more developments in the coming week. 

Week 15 May 3rd-9th

 Greetings!  There were a few "firsts" this week, but I'll get into those a little later.

 I forgot to mention that last weekend Auntie Kristine came to visit me again.  She was just about to leave but then I woke up from my nap so she was able to carry me.  She said I look a lot different from when she last saw me and that I've gotten bigger.  When she was holding me, I christened her with a poopy diaper.  But that didn't phase her.  She volunteered and changed my diaper!!!  That's way too cool.

In the beginning of the week, Grandpa took this picture of me using his phone, which is why it's a bit grainy.  But regardless, look at what I'm doing!!!  Well, not without a little help of course.  Grandma was holding up the end of the bottle since it's too heavy, but I have my hands on it (a "first").  Mommy and Daddy noticed something similar.  If Mommy has her hand close to my mouth and I want to mouth it, I would bring both of my hands together and "bring" her hand to my mouth. The joys of using both hands.  Awesome.

Look at me chilling here.  I OWN this place.

The other night I surprised Mommy and Daddy by sleeping 12 hours straight (another "first")!!!  I cried out a couple of times that night but went back to sleep.  They were so surprised and happy.  They actually had to wake me up the next morning...they were worried I'd be starving from not eating for 9 hours (Mommy dream fed me around 12a).  Dream feeding is when I get fed while I'm sleeping.  How awesome is that?

Do you like my outfit?  I AM born in the year of the Ox.










We went to a baby shower on Saturday.  Uncle Jeff is holding me here.  He's going to be a daddy in July!

I was also moved into my own bedroom on Saturday night.  My "first" night sleeping away from my parents.  My Mommy was torn.  She wanted me to move into my own room, but when she put me there, she felt sad...like I was growing up too fast already.

The end of this week marked Mommy's "first" Mother's Day.  We went to Buca di Beppo for lunch.  Here's a picture with the family.  Uncle Mike and Auntie Jennifer were in town again.

Once we got home, I got to take some pictures with Mommy.  It IS Mommy's day after all!  Mommy got some tulips from Uncle Mike and Auntie Jennifer, and roses from Daddy.

                
I think I behaved pretty well today, so that's my present to Mommy.  :)

Week 14 April 26th-May 2nd

It's been a pretty quiet week overall.  I'm continuing to build on the skills I learned last week and of course, I'm continuing to keep Mommy and Daddy on their toes.  On Tuesday night I woke up at 3am and then again at 5am and wouldn't go back to sleep until just before Grandma and Grandpa came to pick me up.  On Wednesday night, I was up at 1am, 3am, and 5am.  My folks were so tired, but I made it up to them by smiling and cooing at them at 6am.  They are putty in my hands when I do that.  What can I say?  I know how to work the crowd.


We thought we'd try to take a monthly picture of me with these cards.  Mommy and Daddy got the idea from Auntie Monnette, who is doing the same thing with Baby Alex.  Hopefully we'll remember to keep doing it.

I got a picture with Mommy too!

Here is a picture of me with my cap (my parents think I look like such a big boy here!).  I modeled that cap about a month ago and it was too big for me.  Now it fits rather well.  It says it's 3-6 months, and it fit perfectly today.  With the rate my head is growing, I bet I won't fit it when I turn 5 months.  We were on our way to an outdoor birthday party (hence the cap) for my Auntie Tara.  She turned 4 years old. 

I seem to want to be facing out more, even though my head control is not 100% there yet.  I liked it much better so I can look around.

          



 
I was rather enjoying myself...looking at all the
balloons and at the inflatable jumper.  I can't wait until I get to play in one of those.

One of the aunties wanted me to be more independent (hello!  I am only 3 months old!) so she wedge me into this walker with a towel.  Surprisingly, I didn't mind at all, but I was scheming to get back at her.  Hmmm....

Daddy wanted to take this picture (right) and compare it to one he took when I was a newborn (below).  Too bad it's a bit blurry. I wasn't too happy when this was taken.  But look how big I am now!





Mommy and Daddy are hoping I start sleeping through the night soon.  We'll see if I feel like cooperating.