Peanut- 4 Months

What’s new? 

Month 3 to 4 has been the most challenging so far and also the most exciting. On the 4th of July, Jack rolled over to his tummy for the first time by himself. He is now a rolling machine! I can't put him down without him attempting to roll over. That includes on the bed, his pack n' play, the changing table- basically anything with a flat surface! I really have to keep an eye (and a hand) on him.  He has been sleeping on his stomach in his pack n play. This is hard because he has since forgotten how to roll from his tummy to his back and gets frustrated very easily once he decides he no longer wants to be on his stomach and is stuck. Lately though, sleeping on his tummy has become his favored way to sleep. I'll rotate him sometimes but he winds up on his tummy moments later anyways. I've just been keeping a closer watch on him too make sure his nose is positioned in a way he can breathe easily. We entered the 4 month sleep regression so the last few weeks I had been waking up with him 2 to 4 times in the middle of the night when just a month before, it was only once. It was straining on me mentally and physically. Over the weekend, I started adding bath time to his sleep routine and putting him down before 7:00. In just a couple days there has been a huge change in his mood. He sleeps better and longer and is happier more than usual, which is crazy because I thought he was pretty happy before. He doesn't know it yet but we are about to start sleep training in his crib in his nursery. This is bittersweet. I am looking forward to having our room back but it will be weird and kind of scary having him on the other side of the house at night. The monitor will definitely be in full force! Of course, I will not feel comfortable with him in his own room until he can roll over completely, both ways on his own. We'll start the process with naps in the nursery first.

The night of the 5th Jack got sick for the first time. It may have been one of the worst nights of my life. He spent the entire night with a stuffy nose and 102º fever screaming the whole time and I cried right along with him. It was the first all nighter I had pulled since my college years. The pediatrician's office could not open soon enough, I called the minute I could and made the earliest available appointment. Turns out he just had a cold but I learned that babies do not know how to breath from their mouth so young. This could explain his frustrations with not being able to breath, on top of his very high fever. At my baby shower, I was gifted (from Casey), a little plastic tub full of baby tylenol, saline drops, a thermometer and nose-frida. BEST GIFT EVER. It was stressful enough having a sick baby, I was so glad to already have these items on hand. I will always give this as a shower gift to first time moms now. Jack's fever lasted about 48 hours and he was sniffly for almost a week. He has fully recovered and back to the happy baby we know and love. The following week I got sick with a sore throat and fever up to 103º. Wes had to stay home from work for 3 days to watch Peanut while I lay miserable in bed. I thought for sure I had strep and was a nervous wreck that I would pass this on to Jack with his newly recovered immune system. I visited the doctor and it was not strep and I did not pass it on- to Jack or to Wes. Phew!

Jack is now obsessed with his feet. He loves to hold on to them and suck on his toes. He has become very squirmy and sometimes hard to hold. He also smiles all the time. Before, I could get him to smile with a little coaxing but now he does it on his own and often, making picture taking so much more fun! He has recently started sucking his thumb if a pacifier is not around and he has discovered his tongue- he likes to stick it out 😋. He has also started rubbing his eyes when he's tired. My favorite new thing that he does is hold on to me when I'm holding him. His little tiny arm reaches around my neck and it feels like heaven! We're getting giggles here in there, but none like the big ones we got the first day that it happened. I can't wait until those become part of the norm.

Stats:

Our 4 month doctor's appointment is next week so I will update his stats once we have them.

Hair:

Jack's hairs are coming in nicely. He still looks a little bald but that's mostly because his hair is so soft and light. He has a hairline like his Dad so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed Jack will get his Dad's hair thickness as well. The ducktail is getting a bit longer in length and is dark blonde in color but fading a way just a tad as more of his hair is coming in . 😊 

Eyes:

Jack's eyes are more steely grey blue and less icy blue now. His eyelashes are dark blonde and becoming more luscious every day!

Clothes:

We just went out and bought 6 month sleepers this week. His 3 month ones are really snug and his feet have out grown the feeties in them. He still fit's comfortably in 3 month onesies and pants but can also fit in some of his 3-6 month clothing as well. Last weekend I vacuum packed all of his newborn clothes and am sad that soon I'll be packing away his 3 month clothes. Time is going by too fast!

Feeding:

Still eating well! While he was sick, despite his stuffy nose, he continued to eat, which was a relief to me. I was nervous about my supply when I was sick but I made sure to stay hydrated and everything was fine.

Likes:

Jack likes to roll over! He's happy on his tummy for a little while but gets frustrated when he can't turn back over. He looks like he's swimming when he (unsuccessfully) tries. He really likes to watch Gigglebellies (thanks for showing us cousin Brooklyn!). We only try and watch them when Mom needs to get something done or we're having trouble going down for a nap. Since rolling, Jack has lost interest in his activity gym but love, LOVE, loves hopping in his jumperoo. It's nice for both of us because he gets the 'stand up' freedom that he wants and I get to "relax" a bit while watching him go to town, jivin' away! He still likes taking naps in his swing and sucking on his paci. Walks in the stroller are also nice and have been helpful when I've tried everything I can think of to get him to sleep. Since the earlier bed time and sleep train naps, getting him down has not been an issue. Jack and Barney are in the beginnings of their BFF relationship. Barney likes to lick Jack's feet, hands and face and Jack will squeal in delight as this is going on. Jack has also started to touch and "pet" Barney. It makes me laugh when Jack is laying on the floor and Barney will come and do a quick drive by lick to a foot or leg. Barney loves his baby! Roxie is still not interested. 

Dislikes: 

Jack dislikes being on his tummy once he decides he's done in that position. And he also hates loud noises. If the dishes in the sink clank together too loud it puts him in a little tizzy.

Mama Update: 

I'm not feeling as great as I was last month. This month, I am much more tired than normal- due to this lame 4 month sleep regression and leap. And I'm really getting annoyed with the amount of hair I shed daily. It's amazing I have any hair left! My feet- that used to be so pretty are kind of a wreck. Which, after looking up is a Postpartum side effect.... Who knew!?

Looking Forward To:

I am looking forward to seeing little Grandma Joanie in August and taking her and Jack on his first road trip to visit GrandMary.