Yesterday, Cora turned four months old. She had an exciting day, where we ran some errands and got some work accomplished. Poor baby! We did snuggle and play together, too, though. Today, she had her four month check up, with her doctor. We love Dr. Murphy, and I was waiting to have her stats from this appointment to post all her details from the past month.
Cora, my sweet, precious baby girl, we love you so much. In fact, my heart actually aches multiple times a day with the emotion I feel for you. You are such an adorable, happy baby. We know we are lucky that you only fuss, when something is actually wrong. You have a serious face - there is no denying that. You smile all of the time, but you also just intently take things in and study people, rooms, and objects. You bring me infinite joy and happiness in everything that you do. Your daddy and I watch you like a hawk while you're awake, talk about you and look at pictures of you while you sleep, and wake up feeling extremely blessed with you each day.
It is so amazing to watch your personality grow and change, as you get older. You can discern between people you know and strangers, now. I have to admit that I sort of love, when you follow me around with your eyes no matter who else is holding or talking to you. It's something special to have your attention. I know you'll continue to grow so quickly, so I take those moments and tuck them away to always remember. Sadly, you've already grown out of the "cuddle all of the time" phase, but you definitely will lay your head on my shoulder and hold on tight, when you're tired or upset. You started rolling from your back to your belly. At first, you would just go onto your side, but just this week it's started being all of the way over. And, you get very mad at that point because you do not like being on your belly. And, since you don't like being on your belly, I've done a poor job of making you do tummy time, so then you're just stuck. That
really makes you mad.
This month marks the end of our summer together. I start work this coming week. You and I are lucky that your grandmothers will be watching you part of the time, and that your daycare is a really amazing one. But, I cannot help the anxiety I feel at not having every moment we want together. Cora, I worry that you'll think I've left you, that your little baby self will feel something missing and wonder what that is. When I think about it logically, instead of emotionally, though, I am excited for you. You are going to experience the love of
our mothers - something your daddy and I know first-hand is beyond replaceable. That will be very special for you and for them. You will also learn and experience things at daycare that will help you develop. I know from watching you learn myself, that you will delight in these new experiences. You are adaptable and lovable, and I can't wait to continue to watch these changes in you.
Four Month Stats:
Weight: 12lbs 14oz (fortieth percentile)
Height: 24 1/2 in (sixtieth percentile)
Head: 15 3/4 (fiftieth percentile)
Diapers: size 2
Clothes: growing out of your 0-3mo and starting to fit into 3-6mo
All About You:
Hair: you are a balding brunette :)
Eyes: blue
-Your sleeping pattern is to go to sleep between 7:30-8:00 pm. You wake up about 4:30 to feed, and sleep until 7:00 or 8:00 am. Then, you're ready to play. If you go to bed later than 8:00, you'll usually sleep unitl 5:00 or 6:00 am and you'll want to stay up. You might think the logical thing to do would be to put you to bed later, but you get so sleepy by 7 every night. (It doesn't bother me one bit to get up with you, anyway.) Sometimes we have to get creative to help you make it past those witching hours. A new technique is to get you naked and let you play on a towel until bath time. You love it - it's hilarious. You take two or three naps during the day, usually an hour or so after each daytime feeding.
-You still feed every three hours. But, this month you did change in your habit. You will eat "lighter" meals during the day. All of the sudden, you will be smiling and talking instead of eating - looking up at me like, "I'm sustained, let's play!" When you take bottles without me, it's still four ounces. You gained enough weight this month that we had to up your Prevacid dosage to help keep your reflux in check.
-As far as your sounds and movements, you've just completely excelled in everything you learned last month. You continue to tell us all sorts of things with coos and jibber-jabber. You've also taken to constantly grunting in pleasure and frustration. You respond in a conversational way, and love to respond to songs and stories. You are rolling from your back to your belly (as mentioned above), and you cannot - I repeat, cannot - get enough standing time in. You literally yell at your daddy each evening, "Let me stand here and look at you!" Of course, it's adorable to see your itty bitty self trying to look so big. You have begun to grab objects with a purpose. Sometimes you take your binky out with your hand instead of spitting it out, now. You'll even try to put it back in, but that doesn't really work out, yet. Oh, and your all-time favorite new movement is eating your hands. That's one of your go-to activities.
-This month you especially enjoy laying on blankets, beds, and your activity mat where you're free to move all around. You are still a binky baby, who loves your pacifier when you're sleepy or upset. You still can't get enough one on one time with people. You have started to enjoy your toys and new objects. You like your bouncer more because of this. You like to be able to see what's going on, to watch us cook or do things. You always want to be able to see us. You love being with the people who love you.
-This month you don't really enjoy being left alone. I can't leave you on your activity mat in one room and fold laundry in the other anymore. You still detest tummy time.
-Toys and games are more and more fun each day for you. I think your first laugh might come from me popping out from behind my hands, peekaboo! But, we shall see. You also enjoy grabbing your jingly toys and rattles. Toys with noises are a favorite. Books and music are so constant that they're a comfort and bring you true joy.
We are overwhelmed with how wonderful it is to be your parents. Lucky is not a strong enough word for how we feel to have you as our daughter. At four months, we are getting glimpses of who you are going to become, and you bring us unlimited laughs, awes, and love. We love you, Cora Kaye!!
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| Finished with month four...on to month five! |
