Dear Lexi,
This has been a big month with lots of changes for you and for our family. The month started off with me going back to work and you staying at home with Daddy. Coincidentally, the first day I went back, Daddy had a photo shoot, so you also had your first baby-sitter, Great Grandma and Grandpa Sampson. The first week was a little rough, but just as everyone said, it got easier everyday. And it was very reassuring knowing you were home with Daddy having lots of fun.
After being back for only two weeks, I was laid off. Work had been pretty slow for many months and there wasn’t enough for me to do. It was a big surprise especially after all the nice things my work had done for us while on leave and welcoming me back. But, I know there is another great opportunity out there and am LOVING my extra time at home with you!
In addition to all of the changes for our family, you have changed SO much in the last 31 days! At your four month check up you weighed 15.3 lbs (75%) and were 25.75 inches tall (95%). You laughed for the first time near the beginning of the month. Daddy was pulling the little froggy on your car seat down and rubbing the vibrations on your nose and you laughed several times, of course we failed to get it on camera 😦 As the month went on, you laughed a couple of additional times like when I tickle your tummy and neck or shake my head above your face and my hair tickles your face. Hearing your laugh is by far one of my favorite moments/milestones this month.
You continue to be a phenomenal sleeper, God knew you were my child! You consistently sleep through the night for 8-12 hours. We usually swaddle and put you to bed around 10 and you wake around 9. There have been a handful of times when you sleep until 11 and even noon! Although you’re a great night sleeper, your naps are somewhat questionable. For the first three weeks of the month, you took four to five naps a day for 30-40 minutes, making it difficult to get anything done in the day. However, the past few days you’ve slept for longer stretches so we’ll see if that continues. We put you down for your naps awake and wrapped in a receiving blanket. At the beginning of the month, you would cry for about 10 min before falling asleep and now you might cry for two or three minutes.
You have rolled over from belly to back on a couple of different occasions, but not consistently yet. You’ve also gotten much better at tummy time. You can push yourself up to 90 degrees and can hold it there for much longer stretches of time. You’ll also just lay on your tummy with your face on the floor and ‘talk’ for over 10 min. Additionally, you have really strengthened your left side and lift your head in both directions on a daily basis.
Throughout the month you began swatting and grabbing toys on your play gym ad bouncer. Nearly everything that is placed in your hand is brought to your mouth with your favorite items being the hood strings of our sweatshirts and your thumb. You try to suck on your thumb with your pointer finger wrapped around your nose (it does look very cute), but we take it out as much as possible trying to avoid you becoming a thumb sucker. You’ve also gone back to liking the green ‘soothie’ pacifiers, but will only take it right after eating or right before bedtime.
I think you’re beginning to teeth. I think I see a couple white nubbins in your mouth, you bit or chew on everything (verses just sucking), drool, drool and drool some more and are a little more fussy at night than normal. You love music and reading books. Your favorites books are: Brown Bear Brown Bear, Guess Who and Good Night Moon. It’s hilarious to watch you being read to because you just sit on our lap, look at the pages and are still as can be so it’s like your actually understanding what is being read. You’re favorite songs are: ABC’s, 3 Little Fishies, Patty Cake and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. You especially love the ‘LMNOP’ part of ABC’s. I think the ABC’s is the only song Daddy knows, so he sings it to you a couple times a day.
Other changes/favorites: You don’t always fall asleep in your car seat now. You have great head control and LOVE to stand. You rub your eyes when you’re tired. You love to look at yourself in the mirror. Watching hockey really entertains you. You discovered your voice and make high-pitched squeals; its hard to tell if you’re upset or just making noise. About half way through the month we stopped putting prune juice in your bottles since you were pooping much better. We no longer burp you, just sit you up for a little bit and you burp on your own. You’ve also gotten very good at playing by yourself.
My favorite moment of everyday is getting you out of your crib. When you wake up, you’ll chat and coo for sometimes over 10 minutes. It is so fun to watch you on the monitor just looking around and making noise. The moment we walk in the door, you get very quiet and we lean over your crib and see the biggest smile on your face. Once you see our faces your smile gets even bigger and your eyes close and you wiggle your head back and forth while smiling. It is so sweet. After I undo the swaddle flaps you stretch your arms above your head and arch your back. I pick you up and you nuzzle into my shoulder and cuddle for a few moments and then we settle into the chair to nurse. There are no words to describe how wonderful those moments are every morning and it makes my whole day.
Happy four months my sweet pea! You continue to grow to be a beautiful, strong and kind little girl. We love being your parents and you make us so happy!
Love, Mom
The many faces of the munchkin
Easter
Peanut Smiles 