4 Months and Cruising!

Oh My! Where does the time fly? My babies are growing and growing. We are excited to see each new milestone, be on the receiving end of heart melting smiles and get to interact more with the kids. But at the same time I am sad that my babies aren't so little anymore! Silly but true.

Max & Kate had their 4 month check-up middle of January and at that time their stats were:

Max:

Height- 23.75 inches long (10% but 60% adjusted age)
Weight- 11 pounds (3% but 45% adjusted age)

Kate:

Height-22.75 inches long (8% but 50% adjusted age)
Weight- 9 pounds 7 ounces (less than 3% but 25% adjusted)

Seriously, the cutest kids EVER!

Today a nurse came out to our home for their 4 month follow-up. She came when they were 2 months old (their due date) and comes to assess their development. Today was our last visit since they are where they need to be according to the test such as grabbing toys, making eye contact, cooing, smiling, etc. She also weighed them. Good grief my kids are just growing! In just 3 weeks Kate has put on 1 pound! She is now 10 pounds 6.5 ounces. And here I was worried about her not eating enough since she doesn't nurse as long and eat as much as Max. I need to stop worrying. Max also gained almost 1 pound and he is now 11 pounds 14 ounces.

Nurse Joan told us to ditch the bouncers and instead put them in regular old cardboard boxes to help them work on sitting up and developing new skills. So here are our box babies. They are learning so fast. They can grab toys, hold on to them if placed in their hands and they love to eat their hands.



I need to be better about tummy time. It is hard when Max spits up all the time and Kate just downright hates it. We got in 5 minutes today during one playtime and even that had to be broken up in 2 increments. We will slowly work up to the target 40 minutes. Max is definitely stronger and will last longer and hold his head higher than Kate.



Things to remember at this age:

Max



Oh dear child. You are so scrumptious! I love your soft full cheeks and kiss them endlessly. You are still our relaxed child and are such a good boy, only fussing usually when you need to burp/spit up or just need some snuggles.

You still spit up. All the time. All over me, yourself and whatever surface you may be next too. But we deal. And do a lot of laundry and I don't get dressed in anything nice. You can soak your clothes and your bib after one feeding.

You are busting out of some of your newborn clothes and sadly I am starting to pack them away. I put you in a 3 month outfit and it fit! Gah! Quit growing! Your big belly is also starting to bust out of your diapers and it is probably time to move up to size 2.

You talk when you want to and love to interact with your dad and I. You have a game with your dad of sticking out your tongue in response to him sticking his tongue out at you. It is quite adorable and you get so excited about it that you spit up. All that leg kicking! Here is a blurry shot of you in action. Gosh, can you get any cuter? I think not.

Sleepwise we are still hit or miss with you. Last night you went 5 hours! Woohoo! Granted I was still up with Kate so it wasn't restful for me but progress is progress. Well done. Can you do it again? And again?



Kate

Ms. Personality! Kate you are gorgeous and so dainty. I love that about you. I love your firm little apple cheeks and your big blue eyes. Every morning when I unswaddle you you stretch your little body, throwing your arms over your head and extending your legs, like a starfish, you arch your back and flash your dimples. What a good morning welcome!



You consistently melt your daddy and we all fall under your powers. Who wouldn't under this sweet gaze?

We have pacifier issues. I say we, because you clearly love it and I frankly am getting quite tired of getting up multiple times in the night to insert it for you. You have a piercing cry that escalates the longer it goes on, but once you get what you want all is well in your world. Sigh. I know it is going to be rough when we take away your beloved friend to help all of us sleep better. I have tried but don't have the heart or the energy to deny it to you at night.

Perhaps offering a compromise you found your thumb. You are not consistent and your coordination is still lacking but you have been happy when you get it just right. I am not sure how I feel about it. I'll admit there are times I have taken it our and popped your paci in so as not to encourage it (the dental hygienist in me!).



You are a ham! So fun right now. We can get talking back and forth, you cooing away and offering the biggest grins. Many times I can't make eye contact with you while nursing since you stop, flirt with your eyes and smile while on the breast thus coming off. Occasionally you won't go back on, so I try not to engage you until you are finished.



I love your rubber band wrists, your squishy inner thighs that get bigger all the time, how your hair is starting to grow in and random long strands stick up. It is starting to resemble a dandelion, so precious.

You are both so loved. I stand by your crib at night and my heart just swells and tears come so easily as the love overflows.



(Don't be fooled, we are still using the boppy to prop each of them up, it keeps them nestled and secure though Max is strong enough to turn himself onto his back if on his side and then he gets stuck with his head over the pillow. And he certainly does not like that! This was a trial nap without them and needless to say we went back to them as arms were flailing around and they were waking each other up. We will try again later.)