Four Months

Four Months Old

12/19/12

13.6 lbs. and 25 inches long

I'm going to make these monthly posts a bit more detailed as my weekly posts have gotten a bit more...un-detailed.
*That's what happens when mommies go back to work.*

But this month has been my most favorite yet.
It is absolutely amazing how much you've changed.
You are seriously your own little person now.
With a *big* personality.
And an even *bigger* smile.

You're our sweet Baby Ly.
Lyla Beans.
Miss Beans.
Beans.
Little Miss.
Chunkin.
Chunks.
Puddin' Pop.

You've reached so many milestones this month.

Social Skills. I don't know whether you smile or talk more. You are such a happy baby, and it makes my heart burst. You are no longer just making coos, but you've added all kinds of silly noises to your repertoire. Grunts. Squeals. Oohs. Aahhs. And when we talk to you, you talk back. We have the most wonderful little conversations. It's so cute to see you studying our mouths when we talk. You're a little sponge learning the basics of language. Amazing.

Core Strength. This is where you have made the most strides. You are no longer the scrawny little bean who needed support at all times. In fact, if your little legs could hold all your chunkin-ness, you'd get right up and sprint all over the house. You kick your legs all day long, and you use your entire body to scan the room when someone is holding you.

You sat in your Bumbo for the first time this month and love it. And you get downright giddy in your "Happy Seat" at Gi-Gis. This is one of those little exersaucer things where you can push down on your legs and play with all kinds of toys. When we put you on your tummy, you support yourself on your arms - no problem. However, you seem to have forgotten how to roll over. You went from rolling over all the time at two months old...to never. I think you forgot how. **Update on this. Your doctor told us you are probably having troubles being on your tummy/rolling because of your reflux...which is a whole other story in itself. Reflux.is.awful.

Motor Skills. You love to reach out and bat, swipe, and grab things. You really like things that are the perfect size to put in your mouth. It always startles me when you grab my hand and start gnawing on it. You don't seem to like any kind of cloth material in your mouth - you make this hideous grimace face. It's hilarious. And you LOVE playing on your activity mat. You reach out and grab the little animals with one hand, and just study them for hours.

Sleep. Yep. I'm counting this as a milestone. This was the month you started (and stopped) sleeping through the night. You started off making it all the way from 7:30 p.m. to about 4-5:00 a.m. This lasted for a couple of weeks. Then one night, you finally just slept until I woke you at 6:30 a.m. I couldn't believe it. You slept through the night for an entire week.
Then I got sick. And my anti-biotics messed you all up. And you were back to spotty sleeping. And waking throughout the night. However. We started putting you down earlier (about 6:30 p.m.), and you've been sleeping through the night again. We're going on two weeks sleeping 12 hours everynight. Woo-hoo!! *Fingers Crossed*...

You are not a fan of:

Reflux. You've been doing so well the past 2 months. In fact, I thought you had outgrown it. I even tried to wean you off your medicine. Terrible idea. It has been bad this last week. So heartbreaking.
The car seat. You just hate being confined. I think you may be a control freak like mom...
Being woken up. This whole sleeping-through-the-night-business has you loving sleep. To the point where you really, really do not enjoy being woken up. At least from your naps. *You do love being woken up in the mornings. You are ALL giggles and smiles first thing in the morning*
Missing out on fun. You want to socialize and be where all the fun is at all times. You get so upset when we stop playing.

Your Loves:

Your thumb. This is currently your biggest love of all. You've got that thing in your mouth all the time. I have to admit, it's pretty darn cute.
Getting clothes on. Not sure when this happened exactly. But you think getting your clothes on is absolutely the most hilarious thing ever. Seriously. You crack up.
Being tickled. You really love your tummy and feet being tickled. You light up and burst out in giggles.
Being sung to. Your current favorite is Jingle Bells. You.are.obsessed. You also like the ABC's and Jesus Loves Me.
Crinkle Bug and Teething Rings. The Crinkle Bug is a little toy that hangs from your carseat. You grab it, crinkle it, and start chewing on it. You think it's the most interesting thing you've ever laid your mouth on. You also love your little teething rings. Or anything that you can put in your mouth...
Bumbo/Happy Seat/Activity Mat. You just like to sit up. And play. Period.
Airplane. The moment Daddy makes you fly as an airplane, you are just giddy. Adorable.

Amazing month. Best age yet. Can't wait to see how you continue to grow.

Love you, Sweet Beans.