Landon is 4-months old! I feel like four months marks a transition to “infant” – he’s not quite so brand-new anymore. No matter how you look at it, time is flying!
Stats
Weight: 16 lbs. 14 oz. (75%)
Height: 25 inches (50%)
Diaper Size: Size 2 in Pampers
Clothes: 6 months for onesie-with-pants outfits; 9 months for sleepers
Personality
L.J. is one of the most good-natured babies I have ever been around, and I’m not just saying that because I’m his mom. He only cries if he is hungry (and then boy howdy, does he have a set of lungs) or if he wants to be picked up. He is content and happy the majority of the time and continues to be quite social. His smiles are much more present this month and the sight of mommy or daddy is almost sure to elicit a happy grin. He is a happy, easygoing baby and an absolute delight to be around.
He continues to be quite a “talker” and his cutest development this month is his newfound ability to hoot like a baby owl. If he has your attention he will kick his legs, flap his arms and say “Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!” for as long as you will grin and giggle at him. It’s truly adorable.
Playtime
L.J. is showing more interest in some of his toys. His absolute favorite toy right now (aside from his hands) is his Goodnight Moon bunny – he even gets a big grin on his face when you show it to him. He also continues to like his mirror and the white giraffe. Two new toys that he has discovered this month are a little green starfish blanket that crinkles and squeaks and the ubiquitous Sophie the Giraffe.
He has started to pay more attention if we shake a rattle or something similar, but he doesn’t really bat at or grab things. Exception: mommy’s long necklaces or mommy’s hair. He zeroes in on both and latches on with an iron grip! He will grab hold if you put something soft on him, like his bunny or crinkle blanket. His main objective right now is getting anything and everything into his mouth.
L.J. continues to enjoy books, which I just love. He will listen intently for the span of one short board book, and will also stare intently at the pages if you start pointing at the different items on the page.
Eating
He downgraded his formula consumption when he got sick and has been content with the change. The pediatrician said he should be getting 24-32 ounces per day, and he was at around 36 – so it’s not a concern that he is now eating a little bit less. He takes 4-4 ½ ounces every three hours during the day.
(Almost) no more nighttime feedings!! L.J. typically eats “dinner” around 6:30-7:00 and then we feed him at 10-10:15 before we go to bed. After that feeding, he doesn’t eat again until 5:30-6:00.
Sleeping
He isn’t quite sleeping through the night yet – some nights he does, but most nights he wakes up around 1:30-2:00 wanting his paci. Occasionally he will still want a bottle in the middle of the night…but it’s becoming rare. It goes without saying that mommy and daddy are enjoying this development!
We have established an evening schedule, following L.J.’s cues. He has a set bedtime routine and I think that makes a big difference – most nights we can put him in bed “drowsy but awake” and he will put himself right to sleep. He is normally in bed shortly after 8:00.
Naptime is a whole different story. Naptime at school and on the weekends is completely random. He naps in his crib, but will sleep anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. 30-45 minutes is the most common length.
One thing I want to remember: All babies have certain “things” – quirks I guess – unique to them. L.J.’s is definitely light at night. We have night lights all over the apartment. If he gets up in the middle of the night and there is a light on…no chance of him going right back to sleep. Our must-do errand when we stayed at a hotel last month was find a Lowe’s so that we could buy night lights!
Milestones/Firsts
Our biggest milestone this month was sleeping through the night! L.J. is also doing great with tummy time – pushing up and holding his head up very well. I have a feeling that rolling over is going to happen soon…he is working on it!
According to the physical therapist (more on that coming later this week), developmentally L.J. is doing “excellent.” She commented that he is very alert and talkative for his age. He also has good muscle tone and is right on track for things like pushing up when doing tummy time.
He loves to kick his legs. Future soccer player maybe? He squirms and kicks hard enough that he can rotate himself in his crib almost 90 degrees. I also had to rearrange his changer because he kept kicking the wipes container (which looked like it hurt, but didn’t seem to bother him a bit).
We have been out and about with L.J. more frequently, taking him on errands and out to eat a few times. He always does great and people always comment about how good he is.
L.J. celebrated his first Easter this month and also went to church for the first time. The ushers seated us in the first pew! The looks on the faces of the older gentlemen sitting next to us were priceless – and at the end of one them commented to my mom that, “the baby didn’t make a peep the whole time!”
Letter to L.J.
Dear L.J.,
At night, we put socks on your hands. Tiny, soft newborn socks that no longer fit your feet. So we repurposed them. When I go in late at night to reinsert your paci, you cross your mittened hands over mine, tightly, as if to say, “Don’t let go.” Baby boy, I will never let go. I will always be there to support you and encourage you. To coach you and cheer you on. To stand by you and love you unconditionally. No matter how big or how old you get, no matter when it’s no longer cool to hold mommy’s hand, no matter what, I will always be there for you. And I promise you I will never, ever let go.
I love you more than words,
Mommy
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