A Four Month Update: My Second Boy

 

Well, the months are rolling by now, as I knew they would.  It's both thrilling and scary to watch you grow before my eyes.  You are four months old today, my little boy, and you're coming on in leaps and bounds.

Weight and Body

You were weighed this week at your hospital appointment and came in at 13lb 2oz, so you're still following the 25th centile line and making steady progress.  Although the rings of chubbiness around your wrists and thighs are even more pronounced now, your double chin seems to have receded a little. I think it's because your head is now much more erect and upright, so your neck is stretched.  You have real control over your head now, and can turn it very slowly and deliberately if you want to. 

Taken on 12th February - 4 months old today

Tummy time is still not one of your favourite things, so I've been trying to work on that with you, but you'd rather be on your back or sitting in your chair, looking around.  Now you are able to reach for your toys, and to bring them to your mouth to gum. It's great to see the very beginnings of your playtime.

Your hair is still taking its time to materialise; you don't really have that much more than you did at three months, but it's obvious it's going to be fair.  We are still treating your cradle cap with Dentinox shampoo, and now you seems to have a bit of eczema on your crown too. 

Personality

You really are a very happy little baby.  You love to gaze at our faces and we often catch you just smiling away at us just because you can.  In the last month you've become so chatty and sociable.  I have quite lengthy 'conversations' with you, especially when I'm changing your nappy for the first time in the morning.  You take such delight in listening to my silly baby talk and then concentrating so hard on moving your mouth to form the 'words' you want to say.  You love being kissed under your chin, on your neck, which always produces a gurgly little giggle from you.

You still love your colourful monkey toy, but you're now interested in other toys too, like your Skwish and your Sophie le Giraffe.

 

You love being sung to, and your absolute favourite is 'Ten Fat Sausages'. The part where the sausages go 'BANG!' makes you giggle.

 

Another favourite of yours is your bath time.  I've never seen such excitement when you're splashing away in the water, arms and legs going like bees' wings!

Sleeping

Still not sure where we're headed on the sleeping front.  We have now got you into a great evening bedtime routine, where you go to bed at 6.30-7pm, still in the bedside cot in our room.  This was a major breakthrough for us, as it means that we can actually have some child-free time in the evening - time to recuperate!  Then, even better, in the middle of your fourth month you suddenly started to sleep from 7pm to 3-4am without a feed!  Wow!  Sleeping through the night, we thought!  But in the past week, you've started waking several times a night again.  I wonder whether you're going through a growth spurt and need a bit more milk.

Your daytime naps, although falling into more of a pattern, are much shorter, unless we go out in the car, when the engine will lull you into a longer slumber.

We're about to put away the Moses Basket now - you can't move your arms now in it!

Feeding and Teething

Breastfeeding is still progressing with no problems.  I've noticed that recently you've started to 'bite' down at the end of a feed, which I think is indicative of the fact that you're starting to teethe.  We are starting to have to use dribble bibs much more, and you definitely have the urge to chew on your toys and fingers.

Look at your adorable rolls!

I've noticed the very beginnings of you showing interest in the food we eat. You sit with us during family mealtimes, and there is a little flicker of excitement when you see us bringing food to our mouths.
 

Your first time in your 'flying saucer'

Can't wait to see how you've changed this time next month, little man. Love you xx