4 months

Here's our monthly plate/ growth picture. Yesterday's pictures were a rushed affair after his 4 month well baby visit. Matthew was very clingy and fussy after having his vaccinations. That's also why he's down to a diaper in the pictures I took yesterday. He was happy that way so I was happy. He now weighs 14 lbs 6 ounces. 24 1/2 inches long. His head is 16 3/4 inches. All in the 45-5oth percentiles for his age. He's the yard stick all babies are measured by.. hehe J/K. It's better than saying he's average.


Here is what's moving and shaking with our little guy:

Head and neck control has increased so much just in this last month. He can hold his head and shoulders up.

He startles with loud noises like his mom's laughter.

He tracks people and objects well with his eyes.

He rolls over from tummy to back. I have pics I'll post of the process. I haven't been able to get it on video

He does reach for his feet, but other than that if he wants something he scoots forward when he's on his tummy with his toes.

He kicks ALOT. There's a ball on his play mat that he will trap between his feet and play. He'll also push himself out away from us by pushing his feet up against us.

'Circuit' training as daddy calls it with his jumper, exersaucer, play mat, tummy time, bumbo, sitting with support in his boppy. His attention span on any apparatus is about 10 minutes tops on a good day.

Laughing is still new and he has a very discerning sense of humor. Nothing works twice to get the giggles. He makes mom and dad keep it fresh. Ring around the rosies, certain words said playfully, and kissing on him have all been one hit wonders.

He coos more and in a 'conversational' style response. When we speak slowly he'll watch our mouths and try to mimic some of the shapes with his.

Starting to work on his core trunk control. He wobbles holding his upper body still on his jumper and exersaucer, so we help with a pillow.

He enjoys holding on to our fingers with his clenched fist and being pulled up to a sitting and/or standing position.

Drooling, putting his hands in his mouth and bringing his lips in to his gums... Dr Mike said it's not teething, but just a normal development

Sleeps most nights 11 hours, with five 45 minute naps during the day. Sometimes he'll surprise me and have a long morning or afternoon nap, but it's rare.

He eats six-7 ounce milk bottles on average every 2 1/2 hours apart. Makes us work for the burps. Doesn't fuss when the burps aren't worked out anymore, just spits up for the next hour.

I'm looking forward to introducing cereal at about 5 1/2 months and being less milk dependent. I'll keep pumping until his main nutrition comes from solids but we are definitely starting to ramp down on the frequency for mommy's mental health.

We have a referral for a pediatric GI to test for the Celiac. I'll be calling and making that appointment today.

Highlights of this last month for us big people: Our Anniversary, Valentines Day and LOTS of snow! We also welcomed our friend Tanner to this world :-)