4 Month Well-Check

Yesterday was Joanna's well-check and little girl is doing well.  She weighed 13 pounds (22 percentile), 24 inches long (26 percentile) and head measured 40 cm.  So, 2 lb weight gain, 2 inches longer and her head is 2 cm bigger than her 2 month visit.  He was happy with everything, but did mention she dropped a little on the scale in percentile for weight.  She was 26 percentile then.  He said we'll see where she's at at her 6 month visit and we may need to supplement with a little formula.  Honestly, I'm not going to do that.  I just have petite girls.  Vivian has always been in the 20th percentile or below and she was only drinking breastmilk.  Our sweet Joanna is happy, satisfied after nursing, meeting milestones, plenty of dirty diapers, sleeps well at night.  So there ya go!  Happy growing little buttercup!!!

  

4 Months Old

Another month has gone by and you are growing up right before our eyes.

You have turned into the happiest little thing!  You are no longer the fussiest baby on earth HA.  You smile all the time and you love to giggle.  Sometimes you giggle so hard you let out the cutest high pitch sound.  I'm so happy you are happy!

Sleep, not consistent.  You are asleep by 7pm, sleep until around 5pm, nurse, back down until 7-8:30am for one week then the next week you're down at 7pm, back up at 7:30, nurse, sleep until 1-3:30am, nurse, awake around 5:30am, nurse, up for the day between 7-8:30am.  Overall, you are a good sleeper.

Naps, that's an entirely different story.  I think the reason you sleep until 8-8:30am is because you nap horribly.  You are a light sleeper like mommy.  If we are in the car, which we are out of the house by 9-10 am every morning, you sleep.  Once we arrive to our destination, you always wake up.  So you get about a 20-30 minute nap there.  You don't nurse to sleep when we are home, only nurse for nourishment, which means mommy puts you in the swing and pray for a nap.  I do that after about 2 hours you've been awake from your last cat nap.  Swing naps last about 30 minutes as well.  You probably nap a total of 2 hours every day.  Not great, but like I said, you are a happy baby.  It works for you!

Before falling asleep for your naps, you go "ahhh." So stinking cute! 

You still nurse every 1.5-2 hours while awake.  You are a quick nurser, about 5-10 minutes.  You like to get in and get out HA.

I weighed you at 13 pounds, but we will know your exact weight next week at your 4 month well check.  You are in a size 2 diaper, but mommy has you in size 1 to finish off the box.  I had some size 2's left over from Vivian that fit you so much better.  Not so tight around those chunky legs.  You are in 3-6 month clothing, but can still wear a few 0-3 months depending on the brand.  

You have the sweetest 'peach fuzz' on your head and I love running my chin and mouth over your sweet hair.  So soft!

Tummy time is getting better only if you are on a pillow.  Not so much the fan when flat on the ground. You can roll from your tummy to your back, but not from your back to tummy.  You can make it your side before rolling back to your back.  You'll get there soon enough.  You can spin half way around on your play mat.

You love your big sister.  You love watching her every move and she brings the biggest smile to your face.  You don't mind if she rolls on top of you, as long as it isn't too hard. She likes to feed you her pretend food.  You are always included.  She wants to hold you all the time and tells you she 'loves you' on her own.  Mommy and Daddy have to get her to repeat 'I love you' after us to hear her tell us HA.  

You have brought so much joy to our lives and I am so incredibly thankful that God chose us to be your parent and Vivian's big sister!  We love you sweet buttercup!!

"I CAN'T IMAGINE live before YOU came along...me there singing senseless, no MEANING to my song.  Call it MEANT TO BE or simply blessed fate, you fill my heart WITH LOVE...and for THAT I celebrate." -- Maianne Richmont

     

No Words Saturday

2 weeks turned into 4

What a great month it has been.  My Mom arrived from Mississippi on Thursday, October 17th for Vivian's baptism that following Sunday. 

She had planned to stay until the first week of November when Brian returned from Hilton Head, SC from his conference.  I needed help with little bit when I had to work.  Plus, she hasn't seen her since we went to Mississippi when she was 7 weeks old.  I was so glad that she was here for her first Halloween.

Her first pumpkin patch.

My birthday.

After Brian came back, Mom and I were taking Vivian on a stroll and I asked if she was going back on that Monday (Nov 4th) and she kind of held her breathe and asked if it was okay if she could stay a little longer.  Of course!  She retired from teaching this year so she's home alone during the day until my Dad arrives home at night from work.  Vivian loves having her Memom! 

We mainly stayed at the house the majority of her stay...which was great.  We did go on a couple of outings...Target, grocery shopping, mall and Airlie Gardens.

She was here for Vivian's first "real" bath.  Meaning not in her little hammock. 

Before Mom arrived, Vivian would lift her head for only a second during tummy time. 

Child still hates it, but with Mom's help, she is much better.  She will hold her head up and even reach out for a toy.

They spent a lot of time playing together.

They even had lots of cuddle time.

Not only did she help take care of Vivian, she did the grocery shopping, laundry and cooked.  I honestly felt like I was back living at home.  It was nice being taken of.  Sometimes you need that.

 I'm sad that she had to leave, but I know my Dad will be happy to have her home.  The other day he said if he went into cardiac arrest it as our fault because he had to eat a lot of can food.  Poor fella! 

We have very much enjoyed your stay, Momma!!!  Already looking forward to you guys coming for Christmas.  Only six more weeks!!!  We love you oh so much! 

Random Thursday

Lets do a brief recap of last month.  My birthday.  I have to say, Vivian is the best birthday present I could ever receive.  Turning 33 has been my best birthday yet!

Brian had to attend a conference in Hilton Head Halloween week and of course he had to miss his time with Vivian.  He was planning on returning on that following Sunday, but we guilted him to come home on Saturday night.  How could you not when I kept messaging adorable pictures of our sweet baby girl.

Love that my favorite doll, Lucy, and I match!

Starting to figure out this tummy time stuff!

Love my little chickens on my exersaucer

So stinking cute!!!

How cute are my little chubby legs!

Getting ready for bed time. 

About two months ago I ordered her felt Christmas stocking to start making.  My Mom made one for my brother and I.  Brian and I made one for each other so I wanted to keep the tradition on making one for Vivian.  

I finished a large portion of the stocking myself.  Everything minus the Poinsettia's, a Christmas present, some sequins, leaves, her name and the back of the stocking.  Okay, sounds like I didn't do much, but really did.

I did finish the tree myself.

My Mom came to the rescue and finished Vivian's stocking.  I'm so glad she did!  One, I don't think I would have finished by Thanksgiving and two, I'm happy Vivian will have something that her Memom helped make for her.

Finished product!!

I can't wait for when she's older to dump out all her candy from Santa.  I loved it when I was kid and hope she will as well.

We love our pj's!  We stay in them all day long.  I have a closet full of clothes for her, but doesn't wear because we never leave the house and just stay in jammies. Plus, why have something binding and uncomfortable for her.  Yes, baby girl clothes are adorable but just not practical in my opinion.  If she wore a little dress or jeans all day long, she wouldn't be able to do her favorite thing...hold her little footsies. 

jammies

We also still love our mat time.  A definite morning and afternoon routine.

Got these jammies on sale, but similar here

We are still working on tummy time, but we have our eye and hand coordination down pat!  Its so cute seeing her spread her little finger to hold a little ball or toy.

She even can reach out for a toy while doing tummy time.

Her favorite thing to do is stand on her feet.  I think she won't crawl long and go straight to walking.  It will be so cute when she's running around.  Can't wait!!

Can't handle the cuteness!!!!!

I can't believe she's almost 5 months old and then next month she'll be 6 months!!  I have to say, I'm looking forward to her 1/2 birthday.  That's when we will start on solids.

Beaba Babycook

Butternut Squash in her little freezer tray

I was thinking that I was going to have her first solid to be butternut squash, but I think I may start her off on sweet potatoes.  I bought the book Wholesome Baby Food Guide and sweet potato was a suggestion.  Chopped full of vitamins and plus, breast milk is sweet so why not start her off on what she's use too.  

That day will be a fun time!

One last random.  I am so ready to do our family Christmas card!

Hanna Andersson jammies

Yes, we are THAT family!  I think it will be super cute and I'm glad Brian is on board :)