Happy 4 Month Birthday!

Dear Luke,

At 4 months:

You weigh 16 pounds, 12 ounces and are 26.25 inches long.

You have started lifting up your chest during tummy time.

You are looking more like Mommy.  (Daddy says you have my chin and eyes. :)

You love to "stand" with help.  I think it looks like you are hula hooping. :)

You can chug 8 ounces of milk without any problem.

You are drooling quite a bit.

You like to sleep on your side and bury your face in your mattress.

You love when Daddy sings "A-weema-weh."

You like to be in the Bjorn facing out.  I've put you in the Bjorn a couple times when I've vacuumed and you like to hold on to the cord.

You make all sorts of noises.  The other day the neighbor's dog was wimpering quite a bit and now you have added that noise to your repertoire. :)

We love you so very much!

Love,
Mommy

First Experience with Solid Food

Dear Luke,

You recently tried rice cereal for the first time.  I don't think you quite knew what to do with it, but it was cute to see you try to figure it out.  And you looked adorable sitting in your bebe pod. :)

Love,
Mommy

First Trip to the Pool

Dear Luke,

A couple of weeks ago Daddy and I took you to our pool for the first time.  I am so thankful we live in a nice neighborhood with such a lovely pool and splash pad in short walking distance.  I bet we will spend a lot of time over there through the years!

Love,
Mommy

Swaddle

Dear Luke,

Daddy and I have been wondering when it would be time to wean you from your swaddle.  Last night you rolled over on to your stomach in your swaddle after we put you to bed because you were so wiggly.  This can be dangerous for babies who are swaddled because it's not the recommended sleep position and you wouldn't be able to roll back over without the use of your arms.  Daddy turned you onto your back and we decided I'd start the weaning process today.  This morning you took a nap with one arm out and did fine.

Right now, you are napping with both arms out and seem to be fine!  You woke up at one point, but appear to have gone back to sleep.  The past 3 mornings you have woken up around 5:20 to eat.  I wonder if being swaddled had anything to do with it and if being able to suck on your hands tonight will help you.  Or, it may be time to start rice cereal.  We will see how it goes tonight.  You are growing up so fast!

Love,
Mommy

Folded Hands

Dear Luke,

Recently, you've been doing the cutest things with your hands where you hold them like you're praying.  I love it. :)

And I love you!

Love,

Mommy

New Toys

Dear Luke,

We've been trying out some new toys this week.  It seems you're pretty big for the exersaucer, but you seemed happy with the jumperoo pretty quickly and even bounced a bit when I put some books under you. (Aunt Holly's idea :)

It's fun to watch you discover new things that make you happy. :)

Love,
Mommy

Bald Spot

Dear Luke,

You have the cutest little bald spot. :)

Love,
Mommy

Bedtime Routine

Dear Luke,

About a month ago, Daddy and I decided we wanted to have a consistent bedtime routine for you.  You have a bath every other night, so sometimes this is part of the routine.  Around 7:45 each night, we put you in your jammies, then lay on the floor next to you to read a book.  Sometimes we read from your Children's Bible and other times we'll read a bedtime book, like "Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones" or "Bear Snores On."  Then we sing "Jesus Loves Me" and pray with and for you.  It's so cute because you kick your legs and wiggle and look so happy when we are both there giving you all that attention.  Then we swaddle you, turn on your white noise, shut off the lights, kiss you good night and put you in your crib.  You don't even cry.  You're such a good little baby.

Last weekend, Nana and Papa visited and watched you so Daddy and I could go out to dinner.  They texted us once you were in bed:

I love you so much!

Love,
Mommy