My littlest angel turned 4 months old today. And she is just that...an angel or possibly a cherub (check out her stats at the bottom). I would like to give you some grandiose update on her, but not too much has changed in the past month. A few tweaks here and there, but nothing more. So here is what the fourth month looks like so far...Eating
This is probably where I've seen the biggest change, although I'm thinking it's temporary. My once efficient eater has turned into a dwaddler (is that word?). I can't decide if it's that she's eating more, eating less, becoming more social, or a combo. A feeding that use to take 10 minutes has doubled and sometimes even more. We're talking about 20 minutes on average and it doesn't matter if she's nursing or taking a bottle. She loiters a bit, tries to look around, catches my eye and gives me a giant smile, and even talks. This is all new to me, Jack was soooo focused on his meal that we never had this issue. I'm assuming it's just a stage, as is everything with little ones. We will see..
When Maggie does take a bottle, she averages between 6-8 ounces. Very few of her meals come from a bottle, hence the reason I'm so unsure of the cause behind her new eating habits.
She still eats every 3-31/2 hours. However, I am wondering if she is nearing a 4 hour schedule. If so we will do it gradually and maybe have a long term goal of 5 months or so before we get there. Does anyone remember when you went to a 4 hour schedule? I feel like she hasn't made too big of a stride in the wake time department so it may be a bit premature to be thinking about it. But, then again maybe that's the answer to the long feeds.
Activity
Speaking of wake time...this is where I've seen the smallest change. Including feeding, her wake time before her morning nap is only about 50 minutes. During the day, she does goes a bit longer, more like 60 minutes. That's up about 5-10 minutes from last month. Call me nuts, but if I put her down for a nap at those optimal wake times she sleeps "like a baby". If we miss it, even by a minute, it's not too big of a deal, but it either takes her longer to fall asleep or she cuts her nap time shorter. Again, really no big deal in the scheme of things.
The big deal is if she misses a nap! Her sleep habits seem to be very similar to both Jack and me...she needs sleep and DOESN'T like to miss it (we learned that at church this weekend). Neither myself or Jack are very flexible when it comes to sleep. I suppose it all has it's pros and cons. But, back to the subject at hand, this section is suppose to be about her activity, not sleep, so let me get back on track.
What she does for fun hasn't changed all that much either. She still loves her jungle animal bouncy seat, cooing with Mommy, bath time, reading books, and watching Jack...from a very comfortable distance. Her newest activity is mirror time. She smiles and wiggles away. I can't tell if she's looking at me or the baby in mirror. Whatever it is, it excites her. And it is, oh so, precious to watch.
I must also take this opportunity to note her favorite person...me! I want to record this because I know one day that will change. It pangs me to think of that day, but I'm not too naive to admit it will happen. I just might be her favorite "activity". Actually, I know I am. She is happiest in my arms or by my side. And if that isn't possible (the car for example), she loves my voice. We can spend an entire wake time doing nothing but being together and we are both so content with it. Poor Daddy and Jack run a very far 2nd. Again, I know this isn't forever, so I soak up my Mags every chance I can.
I can also tell you what she does NOT consider fun. Maggie has made it very clear that she is not a fan of the car seat. I think it's more the fact that she can't see me or interact with anyone rather than the seat itself. And her second dislike--getting out of the tub. This is basically the only time of day that I can count on her to cry, or actually wail. It is not pretty.
Sleeping
Everything is still sweet dreams in this arena. My Magpie is still taking 4 naps a day, one of which is an evening catnap of about 45 min. The other naps range from 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I still have to wake her from most of them, not as often as in the first 3 months of her life, but always the morning nap. If she does wake on her own from a nap, I would never know. She sweetly plays in her crib and coos and goos while waiting for me. When I peer over her crib rail she always greets me with a warm smile, kicking legs, and flailing arms. Mmmm...she is heaven!Her bedtime is still 7:30-7:45ish. She precedes her bedtime feed with a bath around 7:15ish (depending on what time we can Jack out of the tub) and then we are off for pj's and a feeding. She dozes right off, thankfully without tears as of last month. We don't hear from her again until 7:15-7:45ish. Again, thank God for the thumb..for now anyway! I have to admit, I am a tiny bit worried about that thumb...it is slowly becoming more than just a bed time habit...oh no!
We do still swaddle her...both arms out though. It's more of a Velcro blanket than anything and it serves as a great nap/bed time cue. I swear her eyes get droopy when we start swaddling her up--she just knows. I'm thinking we will ditch the swaddle when the weather gets warmer or she grows out of it...whatever comes first.
A New look
Since little has changed with her routine I thought I would note some physical changes.
*We had her 4 month Doctor's appointment this week. This is how she measured up...
Weight: 14 lbs 3 Oz 75th percentile
Length: 25 inches 75th percentile
*Maggie's eyes continue to get bigger and brighter every day. One day those eyes are going to melt some one's heart and I have a feeling Daddy's will be the first.
*Her legs are super chubby...yum! She has rolls from top to bottom. Talk about a bathing challenge.
*She has hair and I am loving it! She seems to be getting a teeny tiny bit more with each day. Jack didn't have this much hair until he was 18 months old! I actually put a bow in it the other night when we went to dinner...just because I could. I still haven't figured out what color it is or will be. Some days it looks really dark and others more blonde. I'm thinking it's going to be a mousy brown, regardless I love having a baby girl with hair!
*She's a drooler...big time! This just started this month. I guess God figured since he spared me the spit up I needed some sort of liquid. The good news is all of those precious bibs and burp cloths we got are now coming in handy!
*Her feet are still tiny and her toes look like little sausages. The funny part is her second toe, on both feet, is longer than her big toe. Ha! If the old saying is true..she is sure to be the head of her household one day!
So that's my Maggie at 4 months. Like I said, very few changes and I find that to be a good thing. We adore her and absolutely could not imagine this family without her.
Jack pulled out the baseball tee first. Daddy made it official by topping him off with his Braves hat...just a teeny bit too big.
Even our spirited weinie dog, Cosby, joined the outdoor fun. Note he is sporting his shock collar to keep his "spirited" self contained!
