4 Months.

4 Month "Well" Visit Update:

15 lbs. 13 oz. (85th percentile)
26 1/4 in. (95th percentile)

He just continues to get bigger and bigger.

Dear Van,

Hey love. 4 months old! Where does the time go? Well, month 3 was a rough one for us. Before the big 3, you were on a perfect schedule, sleeping soundly through the night (10 hours most nights), and usually only crying when you were tired or hungry. Basically, you were a TEXT BOOK baby. And then...real life hit! We got slammed with growth spurts, tummy troubles, head colds, teething, and ear infections--just to name a few. Through it all, your smile was the silver lining on every grey cloud we hit. We cried a lot together this month, and if it's possible, I think it made me love you even more. I've always known you needed me and loved me, but there's something different about the look in your eyes when I can tell you are at your lowest point, miserable from tummy aches or ear infections, and you look at me with relief on your face because you KNOW I will do anything I can to make it better. And if I can't fix it, at least I can tell you I love you and hold you tight to try ease the pain. It makes me feel like a super hero when you look at me like that.

Your personality is really starting to shine through. You are already so much like your dad (which I love.) Here's some advice for you: Stay like him. Your dad is someone you should always look up to. He is the most amazing person I have ever met. He will do absolutely anything for anyone. No questions asked. He is always the first one willing to give a hand up to someone who has fallen down. Never judging, always understanding. He goes through life with a smile on his face, and a practical joke in his mind. He is and will always be a kid at heart. Like him, I hope you will always be able to laugh at yourself. Life is meant to be joyful. I hope that you will learn from the blisters and callouses on his hands how important it is to work hard and earn your spot in life. I promise you that if you will listen, he will teach you how to be a good man. There's no one else in the world I would choose to set the example for you.

Here's a few things that have been going on in your life this month:

You learned how to blow spit bubbles.
It's your new favorite thing. It doesn't matter if you're happy, sad, hyper, or tired. You are CONSTANTLY spitting. I wonder at what age I'm going to have to tell you not to do that anymore. Someday people will think it's rude rather than cute to have you spit in their face. But for now, it's cute.

You LOVE your feet.
You have them in your hands at all times. I think you got your lack of flexibility from me. Most babies put their feet clear into their mouths, but you can't quite do it. But as long as you've got one in each hand, you're perfectly happy.

You love stories.
At night, we have a routine: bath, eat, story, prayer, song, bed. I think story time is becoming your favorite part.

You had your first big trip.
We went up to Uncle Dustin's cabin right after Uncle Clay got home from his mission. I can't say you liked it very much though. You screamed pretty much the entire time we were up there. I don't think the altitude agreed with you. Sorry bub.

You started....and stopped rice cereal.
This was probably the saddest part of my whole month. I was so excited to start you on solids. I thought it would help you sleep better at night, and I could tell you were ready for it. Every time we ate, you would stare longingly at our food wishing you could have a bite. The first night, we gave you a little taste and your eyes got as big as saucers. By the time I got the next bite on the spoon, you grabbed it and shoved it into your mouth. You attacked that cereal like nothing I've ever seen. It was love at first taste. BUT....within a week, you were screaming bloody murder because of tummy aches. We took you to the doctor and they said you had blood in your stool, and we weren't allowed to do rice cereal anymore until you were at least 6 months old because your tummy wasn't mature enough to handle it. Sorry V. We tried. Hopefully we'll have better luck next time.

You had your first bath in a real bath tub.
I have to say, this makes me rather nervous. I still have not attempted it by myself yet. Dad always holds you while I wash you. We'll get it down to a science soon, I'm sure.

You threw up TWICE.
Like I said in the beginning....rough month.

You had your first trip to Urgent Care.
After doing all kinds of tests, catheters, x-rays, and who knows what else...it ended up just being an ear infection. Mama was not super happy with those doctors for putting you through all of that for a simple ear infection, but we were glad it was nothing more serious.

You love to stare at your hands.
I think you've finally figured out that you've got control over them. You open and close your fists and stare at them in amazement.

Well bub, it's been a busy month for you. Lots of changes going on. But one thing that will never change is how much we love you. Every day I am more and more grateful that you are here with us. You are the blessing we have been waiting for. I love you more than you'll ever know.

Love,

Mama

Here you are with Nannie. She has been the best babysitter for you when Mama has to go to work. I wish I never had to leave. But if I can't be with you, Nannie is as good as it gets!

The cutest tiger ever!

This was at Aunt Amy's trunk-or-treat. Van was in his Tiger costume and had a BLOW-OUT. I just told everyone that instead of a cute little tiger...we decided to make him a white trash baby instead with nothing but a diaper on. (Poor planning. I thought I had an extra outfit in the diaper bag. Sadly, I did not.)

Poor sick V. This was on our way to Urgent Care. I know he doesn't feel good in this picture, but I absolutely love it. He looks so cute.

What a miserable face. This was taken in Urgent Care right after they gave him a catheter. Yuck!

Time to try solids!!

This picture makes me so sad. This just shows you how much V LOVED rice cereal. Too bad his tummy couldn't take it. The doctor said we can try again when he's 6 months old.

Sorry it's blurry, but what a cute little face!

Love this Bub.

Clayton and his Mini-Me.

Hahaha. Bath time!

The last time we had V in the newborn tub. He just got too big and started soaking EVERYTHING with all the kicking and splashing around.

Love these baby blues.

I found these online. It's socks and wristbands with little bugs on them that rattle and squeak. He loves them. This is one thing that will keep him entertained for a little while.

Still not loving the tummy time.

This is a Sunday morning ritual as of late. While I'm getting ready, Clayton takes him in the front room and plays the piano for him. Yet another reason I love my Clayton.

Look at that focus! So serious...

V absolutely loves story time. He stares at the pages....and tries to eat them of course.

V realized he's got a cool fun toy. His feet.

I have the cutest boy in the world.

We love you V.