4 Month Well-Baby Visit

Dear Conor,

Today you had your 4 month well-baby visit with your pediatrician.  You did really well when all your stats were being taken.  Here is the run down:

Weight: 16.8lbs (77%)   [2 months - 12.9lbs; 75%]
Height: 24.5 inches (27%) [2 months - 23.5 inches; 75%]
Head Cir.: 42.75cm (60%) [2 months - 41cm; 75%]

We are not yet concerned about any of your measurements because babies often grow out before they grow up.  However, your current imbalance does create a clothing predicament because you need 6 months size clothing for your little bum and shoulders but your cute little legs and arms are too short! 

Your next visit is in July so we shall see how you measure up then!

Today you were also scheduled for 2 shots and the roto-virus drink.  However, they were out of the combination shot which meant that you had to get 4 shots (2 in each thigh) and the drink.  The office took a long time getting your shots together so between visiting with the Doc and the shots you had nursed and fallen asleep.  We had to wake you up which is something we NEVER do.  You did well during your shots (or as well as can be expected) and you nursed right after which did help you.

But, today you have been a bit 'off' and both your Daddy and I believe its due to the fact that we had to wake you up.  When you sleep we have learned that it means you really need sleep (you crash hard) and we do everything in our power to not wake you up (you had even missed playdates because I won't wake you up).

You fell asleep tonight at 7:30pm and it is my hope that you sleep long and hard tonight to give your body the best chance at making up for what you missed today and help you recover from the stress of inoculations!

Thankfully at your 6 month visit you don't get any shots (so we were told).

xoxo
Mom

In Loving Memory .....

Dear Conor,

On April 12, 2012 your Great Grandma Irene passed away.  She was your Dad's grandmother and your Grandma Janet's mother.

You are a very lucky child - when you were born you had 4 great grandparents (GG Irene, GG Jackie, Great Nana and Dar) where many children do not have any.

Your GGI came to visit you for the first time on December 17, 2012 (the day we brought you home) and it was love at first sight for the both of you.  GGI used to say you always smiled and were quite for her because you loved her and your Dad and I believed it to be true.

 
Shortly after these pictures were taken your Grandma took a fall and had to go to the hospital and then to a rehabilitation center called the Newton Center.  We visited her there on Christmas Eve and she was very excited to see you.

We went back the next morning after opening gifts at our house to celebrate Christmas with her and your Jakan grandparents.  It was a very nice Christmas and once more, GGI was very excited to see and hold you.  Every time she held you she commented on how big you were getting - even if she had just seen you the day before!

We visited GGI often at the Newton Center - taking pictures as often as we could as GGI wanted to hold you at every visit.  Here you are holding her finger on January 17, 2012 when you were one month old.

GGI did a great job getting physically better while at the Newton Center and she was able to go back home to Grandma Janet's house for a few weeks.  But, she had another injury that meant she had to go back to the hospital and then to a new center called the Greenwood Center.

Unfortunatly, your Great Grandma Irene really struggled at the Greenwood Center and after a few weeks of being there she passed away.

This Saturday you will attend your first funeral.  As you are so young it is unlikely that you will remember this day or that you will remember your GGI.  But, she was a wonderful women.  She was sweet with a little bit of spice thrown in to keep you on your toes but most of all she was in love with you from the moment she learned you were coming.  I am so thankful that you had the opportuinty to spend these last 4 months with your Great Grandmother and that she had the chance to see her grandson (your Dad) become a father.

Her love for you is so strong you may be certain that she is forever watching you from above and smiling as you grow and succeed.

12.17.2011 - Great Grandma and Great Grandson meet for the first time.

2nd Beach Day -

and it's only APRIL!!!

Wow Conor - I never thought that my winter baby would have been to the beach twice before Memorial Day (and not just to hang out but to be in a swim suit and enjoy the sunshine, sand, and water)!

Today your Auntie Cathlin and your superfan Jen Whitt (shout-out) came to visit and since it was about 80 degrees we went down to Mother's Beach in Kennebunk.

Picture with Mommy!

Playing in the sand with Auntie Cathlin (who taught you to stick out your tongue when she visited last time)

So sweet - baby toes in the sand!

Chilling out in your stroller with Mr. Moose.

A little after beach playtime with Auntie.

And a picture with your company before they left!



It was so nice and warm at the beach that we thought we would try dipping your little toes in the water.  We tried the tidal pool but after a second in the water you cried.  It was a little chilly so we were not going to try your toes in the real ocean.  You didn't even like your feet on the wet sand because even that was COLD!  So, I don't really blame you at all.

We were at the beach for 2.5 hours.  You didn' take a nap at all but after some playing and a little lunch you did take a little bit of time in your stroller to chill out and relax away from all the stimulation.  You seem to be at an age where we have to be aware of how much stimulation you are getting and if its been too much or its gone on for too long we need to give your little nervous system a 'time out' so that you don't meltdown (this is normal - its not just you - many of your baby friends have the same problem right now) so I was proud of you for spending some time in your stroller.

When we got home from the beach you played with Auntie and Jen for a litlte while on the couch before they had to say goodbye so that they could get home.  But, before they left we made plans to go down and visit them both at their school, spend the night at Auntie's house, and then take in some Boston sights the next day.  We are going to wait until the weather is a bit more consistant before doing this but I just know it will be fun!

A BIG thank-you to Auntie and Jen for coming to visit - we hope they come back soon to visit!

xoxo
Mom

4 months old!

Dear Conor,

You are four months old now!!!  The first time we did your monthly pictures you required a lot of extra support and this time you were holding your own little body up and I had to take pictures fast because you were trying to roll!

Trying to pick up the sticker.

Your smile lights up your entire face!

I love your cute little chin - it only makes an appearance when you hold yout little head up!

Time is going by way to fast and you are growing and developing like a weed! This month you have learned so many new things. You are now opening your hand to grab things with a pincher grab (you had grabbed your Daddy's arm hair a few times), you reach for the birds and toys that hang from your playmat and you pull on them. You reach to turn the pages of a book, and you hold several of your toys.

This is your current favorite toy.  You love to hold it.

You even like to hold things when you sleep!

You have also become very verbal.  You are also experimenting with fluctuations in tone.  You like to talk in low tones and then let out these shrieks in a high pitch voice.  Sometimes you talk for long periods at a time - often in the morning or late afternoon.  Other days you choose not to talk that much at all.  Your Daddy and I both enjoy listening to you babble and often we find ourselves talking to you in order to keep you talking!

You have also moved up in clothing sizes.  You are wearing a lot of size 6 pants (due to your size and the fact that you are wearing cloth diapers a lot more now) and in shirts you float between 3-6 and 6 months depending on the make and style of the shirt.  Your continue to be wider than you are tall so we do have to roll your pant legs a lot but that just adds to your cuteness!

Such a cute baby with your Grovia Hybrid Diaper!

Your Bum Genius Freestyle Diapers -we use these at night mostly.

Spending more time hanging out in your cloth.

Your sight is incredible.  You follow your Daddy and I around the room.  You smile when you see us approach you and you love to watch Hunter as he does his thing at your level.  I love watching your face change as you recognize that we are coming to get you - you often go from fussy to smiling as we get closer.  You have always been an alert baby and with the improved eye sight this behavior is only enhanced.

You have hit some type of sleep regression.  You are no longer sleeping for 4 hours at a time.  You have slowly moved your own bedtime back from 10pm to anywhere between 7 and 8.  You fuss a bit at 9pm but a quick little hand hold and you are back asleep until 11pm when you need to eat.  After that you sleep again until 2ish but at that time if I don't pull you into the big bed to sleep with Daddy and I you are up for at least an hour and then every hour thereafter.  If you are in the big bed you fall asleep pretty quickly and sleep for at least 2.5 hours.  We used to let you do your 8-11 sleeping in the swing but for the last week I have been putting you in your crib on the boppy pillow (you still don't sleep well flat).  At 11pm we transition you into our room and into the Rock n Play.  As you are outgrowing that we will be using a friend's co-sleeper for the next few months until you are sleeping longer periods of time and we can transition you fully to your crib.

Sleeping in the big bed early in the morning.

As far as naps go - they are not something you do reguarly or for long periods of time. You tend to take a few 30-40 minute naps a day. Sometimes these naps can stretch past an hour but more often than not 30 minutes is all we get. You will nap in the car but once the engine is turned off you wake up! Sometimes I have tricked you and left the car on while I carried you inside and you have slept a little longer but that hasn't happened too often. While you don't take long naps - you do generally wake up a happy baby and that's all that matters :)

15 minute naps on the floor are ok too!

You have grown so much in the last month that I am worried I will forget to document all the new things that you do.  We have your 4 month check-up this week so I will be certain to post your stats then!

My how you've grown!

xoxo
Mom

Cape Cod Trip

Dear Conor,

The weekend of March 30th we took a road trip to Cape Cod.  We went for a few reasons - (1) to visit our family and (2) so that Dad and I could take a class in preparation for your baptism.

Before leaving you just had to take a bath so that you could be all squeeky clean for your Grandma and Aunties.

The ride to the Cape was long and by the time we got to the Grandma's house you were very ready to be out of your seat.  We even went for a walk in the neighborhood with Grandma's stroller to visit all the neighbors.  You met the Woods and the Lansings - no one else was home.

Saturday your Auntie Cathlin came down to visit you and we took these pictures.

Then your Great Aunt Laurie (she is grandma's older sister) and Great Uncle John came over to visit.  Your great aunt was very excited to hold you and you even slept on her shoulder.....you really made her so happy because she was able to get you to take a little nap when no one else could (there was so much going on you didn't want to miss anything!)

As always, you played with your Auntie Danielle.

 And then Auntie Sarah.

Then we went for a ride in Grandma's car (and the new carseat she bought for you) to go and see Uncle Sean and Aunt Lindsay's new house.  The last time we were there they were working very hard moving in and preparing to decorate but this time so much of that work was done - their home looked great!  You really liked riding in your new carseat.....so much so that I think this is the same one we are going to get for you when you graduate full time to a big boy carseat.

Saturday night we all went out for dinner and, even though it was past your bedtime, we took you out to dinner too.  We went to Sam Diego's in Hyannis (a favorite of your mom's) where I had my first drink since finding out I was pregnant with you.  Your Auntie Ana was 100% correct (and let this be a warning to all new moms) your first drink after you have a baby will hit you much harder than you anticipate.  I was only able to drink 3/4 of my watermelon margaritta before I felt a little ditsy!

Watermelon - YUMMY

You didn't seem impressed that we took you to eat in your jammies.

 Cathlin's friend Katie also came to visit you.  I used to babysit her when she and your Auntie were little girls.  They were always fun to watch and now they are both grown-ups and Katie is getting married.  You will feel as old as your Mom feels when you watch people grow up.

You also got a visit from the Gliddens!  Both Bob and Jen came to visit you on Sunday.  Bob thought you looked much bigger than your age and Jen loved your cheeks!  You are the first baby on the street since Danielle was a baby and therefore everyone is very excited to hold you and love you.

You and Bob Glidden

 We also took pictures with you and Hunter - this might just be the best one yet!

And - even Jarrod got in on the baby loving!  Don't worry - secretly he loves you (he even drew a picture of you in the game 'Draw Something') even though he looks a little funny in this picture - he was talking to your Auntie.

Such a long weekend for someone who was not quite even 4 months old.  Such a long weekend that you fell asleep in your carseat for the majority of the ride home - holding Mommy's hand of course!

You are a pretty good travel baby little man and for that we are certainly thankful as there will be many more car trips in your future.  Thank you for a wonderful weekend on the Cape!

xoxo

Mom



Uncle Sean and Aunt Lindsay Visit

Dear Conor,

On March 27th your Uncle Sean and Aunt Lindsay came to visit. 

Cousin Mae joins in on the action

This was the first time they had been to visit since Christmas and Auntie Lindsay couldn't believe how big you had gotten.  After hanging out in the house for a little bit we all went out to eat at Federal Jack's in Kennebunkport.  This was the first time we had ever taken you out for lunch and you did really well.

There was another baby in the restaurant and she kept turning around in her high chair to see you!

After we finished lunch your Aunt and Uncle headed back to their home and we went for a nice little walk.  We can't wait to see them again and someday go for a walk with your baby cousin too!

xoxo
Mom

2 month check-up

Dear Conor,

It is almost time for your 4 month check-up and I am only just now getting to write about your 2 month check-up.  It seems that time is moving so quickly.....I hate to think that my baby is growing up this fast!

Your two month check-up was on February 17, 2012.  Your Daddy and I both attended this doctor's appointment.  You are really lucky in that both your parents have the ability to arrange their work schedules and attend your appointments together.  Most kids only get one parent that can go.

We very much like your pediatrician.  She listens to our concerns and always seems happy and has good advice.  She loves your little face too. 

This time we went into a room with lots of animals on the walls. You were very interested in the animals as they were very bold against the light yellow walls (the first time we went into see the doctor we were in a room with clouds).

I dressed you very carefully for this appointment as I knew you were going to be getting shots in your thighs.  I had you wear a onesie and then a gown so we could just pull it up and pull it down without having anything rubbing your tender spots.  Because its winter you had to wear socks - so we put your cool hi-top sneaker socks on!

We also had you practice some tummy time while we waited for the nurse with the shots to arrive.

I didn't take any pictures while you were getting your shots because I was holding you.  You were so very good and only cried at the very end.  But, by the time we got into the lobby and checked out you were no longer crying and after just a minute in the car you were asleep.

When putting you in your carseat I placed a thin blanket over your thighs so that the car seat straps were not putting too much pressure on your thighs.  When we got you home I nursed you and you continued to take a little nap.  We watched you all day to see if you had any signs of a reaction and you did not - you were actually a wonderful child that day and I was so proud of you (so was Daddy!).

Within the hour you were kicking away on your playmat!

We did get your acid reflux medicine at this appointment and so when we return next week it will mark 2 months on the medicine.

I hope that your 4 month appointment goes just as well!

xoxo
Mom