Ford turned four months old on February 17. In many wonderful ways, late February looks miles better than late January -- warmer weather has meant long strolls, Ford can nearly always find a thumb or finger to suck, and a consistent morning nap lets Mommy get a shower every day. In some ways though, late February is just the same as January -- nights are still long and often interrupted, Ford still loves chowtime, and he's not much closer to rolling over. With new tricks and some old challenges still hanging around, Ford is more fun and more precious at four months than he was at three -- which, considering he was pretty awesome then, is saying something.
At four months, Ford:
Weighs 18 pounds, 9 ounces, which is the 97th percentile. We have a big appetite. Don't judge.
Is 26 3/4 inches long, which is 90th percentile. Considering that I am 5'6'' and Oscar is 5'10'', I doubt he'll end up tall, but who knows? For now, Daddy is very proud of his big and tall boy!
Wears at least 9-12 month clothing and 12-18 month sleepers. Yes, you read correctly. Our strapping lad has pretty much outgrown the "infant" department, which makes finding the sweet outfits Mommy likes a bit of a challenge. Apparently, once a boy is big enough for 12 month clothes, he's big enough to dress like a grown man.
Loves to play on his playmat still. Just when I think he's going to grow bored with it, the way he plays on it changes again. Whereas last month, he simply batted at the dangling toys, now he holds one in each hand, examines them, and works on spinning, pulling or shaking them -- whatever necessary to make the toy do its appropriate noise/spinning/lighting up trick. He also wiggles around more on the mat and will pick up other toys I lay beside him.
Is really beginning to enjoy his exersaucer, as evidenced by the video I posted the other day.
Also beginning to enjoy his Johnny Jump Up. Technically, he's not quite ready for it, as he should be able to sit up on his own. However, the Johnny Jump Up also has a weight limit, and Ford is fast approaching it. If we don't start playing with it now, we're going to miss the Johnny window altogether, which would be a shame.
Working on rolling over. He'll try for a few days, then forget about it, then try again. He rocked way up on his side today, and I thought he was going to make it over, but no such luck. He leads with his top half, and his rather hefty bottom half slows him down.
Talks all the time, and has a large library of sounds. His favorite this week is what Oscar calls the "machine-gun" -- it's sort of a rapid-fire fake cough. He thinks it's hilarious. He mimics the sounds we make too...sometimes I swear he says "hey!" I'm trying to teach him "dada."
Becoming interested in and working on finding his feet. It's a bit of a reach around his belly, but we are getting there.
Grabbing, holding and playing with toys more and more. He's starting to learn, especially on his playmat, what trick or sound a toy is supposed to do or make, and he loves to make them work!
Still nursing exclusively and still a great eater. He's spreading his feedings out to 3.5 to 4 hours, and nursing 5-6 times a day.
Appears to be teething, which has caused us all some discomfort. He's not too fussy during the day, but his gums really seem to bother him at night. Poor little buddy, all that seems to help at night is holding and rocking. Baby tylenol didn't help, and cold things help during the day, but just upset him more at night.
Sleeps through the night every once in a great while, but usually wakes up several times...probably because of the teething. It's wonderful when he does give us that decent night of sleep, and he clearly feels like a new person the next day, but we're still not consistent. Oh well. We'll get there eventually. We bathe and get ready for bed at around 7 - 7:30, and go to bed around 8 - 8:30...or at least we try. Sometimes, Ford is out like a light, but other times, bedtime is an extended and bloody battle. He wakes up for the day sometime between 7-8 a.m.
Has become a much better napper (although I say that with much fear and trepidation -- Ford loves to make a liar out of me). Right now, he goes down about 9 a.m. and sleeps 45 minutes to an hour. He goes back down anywhere from 12 noon to 1 p.m., and sleeps about two hours, a little more if I am lucky. He can't decide whether he wants a third nap or not...if he takes it, it's usually from 5-6 p.m. I'm trying to help him drop this nap, as it makes going to bed a bit easier.
Had a great four-month checkup at the pediatrician. The doctor said he is a healthy little boy and right on track, which makes this mama very proud and happy. He's still taking Zantac for his reflux, although the doctor thinks he'll outgrow it soon. The doctor said we could start on rice cereal if we wanted, but since Ford certainly doesn't need the extra calories, I think we might wait a bit. The doctor thought it might help him sleep better, but Ford doesn't wake up hungry until around 4 or 5 a.m., so I'm not sure the cereal would help him stay down any longer. (He certainly wakes up before 4 or 5 a.m. -- those wake-ups are just to check and see if Mommy and Daddy are there, apparently.)
Had his four-month shots, and that was just no fun at all. He's felt a bit worse with these than he did with his two month shots. He was up a lot last night, and we've had to give him Tylenol every four hours. Poor little buddy.
At four months, Ford loves:
Singing songs -- bonus giggles if there's a dance routine involved. Our new favorite is "The Wheels on the Bus," although Daddy's original numbers are still the best.
His Lambie, Bunny, and Koala Bear. Any of these make excellent company in the car seat, crib, or stroller. I've been advised by seasoned mommies to purchase several back-ups of these lovies so that I'll always have one even if the original is in the washer or falls to some other misfortune.
Going strolling. He's now able to sit up in his stroller without the car seat, so he can ride and look out. He loves it. With the warmer weather this month, Mommy loves this too. We try to stroll every afternoon and go for super-long strolls on the weekends with Daddy. The Bob is the greatest baby item ever.
Still loves bathtime, but he's getting more active in the bath. Now, instead of just passively enjoying the spa experience, he kicks his legs under the water and "helps" me wash his hair.
Lotion time. He's grown to love his nightly lotion massage. He grins a huge grin when I pour the lotion on my hands, and laughs while I sing our little nightime songs. He's so funny.
Most of all, his Daddy. Ford LOVES Oscar. He laughs, talks and plays more excitedly with him than with anyone else, and I just love it. Ford is a daddy's boy for sure.
Ford is ambivalent about:
The bumbo. Still doesn't mind sitting in it, and he likes to watch me working in the kitchen or eating, but he gets antsy in it after a bit. I think he feels constrained because he's such a snug fit.
Having his nose suctioned. Yes, we've progressed from hating to ambivalency. This is an excellent development, as I have to do it almost every day, and I hate hearing him scream.
Ford does not love (lucky for me, this list is pretty short):
Going to the doctor. The doctor had not even touched him yesterday, and he burst into tears. It was so sad, especially since Ford almost never really cries.
Taking his medicine. We have to give him the Zantac three times a day, and he is always so annoyed by it.
Staying all night in his bed. He sleeps like a rock if he's in our bed. However, this is not an acceptable permanent arrangement, and so we are working on sleeping all night in the crib!
Every month gets a little easier and a lot more fun! Ford really is the most wonderful little buddy, and Oscar and I are so thankful that he's our son.
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