Ronan - 4 Months!

Ronan is now 4 months old! He had his 4mo checkup with the Nurse Practitioner last Friday, and he now weighs 11lb 12oz, and is 24" tall! He is still small (3% for weight, 8% for height), but he is on the curve, growing proportionately. He got the second dose of the two vaccinations we're giving now (Hib and Pneumococcal), and tolerated them a little better this time. He still wailed, but calmed quickly with nursing, and was a little "out of it" for a few hours, but fine the next day.

He nurses well, and takes a bottle without a problem when other people watch him. There is nothing better in my day than him looking up at me with that milky grin and thanking me in his own way for nursing him. We co-sleep at night, and sleep 8-9 hours easily! The last few nights he has been not taking an afternoon nap (maybe dozing a few minutes in the car), but then going to bed earlier, about 8:00pm. I stay up until he wakes up (usually around 11) and then we both go to bed together. Its a great system for us right now, and we're going to do it until it doesn't work for one of us!

It has been amazing watching Ronan grow and develop physically and cognitively in these past few weeks. He's going great on his tummy, holding his head up and pushing himself over to his back. He's reaching and grasping toys, and bringing them to his mouth. His attention span is longer, and he will really concentrate on things he's interested in. When I change his diaper, he turns toward the cloth book I have stapled to the wall and concentrates on grabbing it. I had to reinforce it with extra staples after he ripped it off the wall! :)

One night in the bath, he was concentrating on kicking his legs in the water. He would focus on his legs, then look at me and smile. Then focus on his legs... then look at me and smile! He was so proud of himself. I think we've got a water baby!

He is working on sitting up with less support, and is finally starting to enjoy his Bumbo seat! He likes sitting in it and grabbing for toys (and gnawing on them, of course!). I went and bought some teething toys this week - I think we're going to need them soon. He is also talking, talking, talking, especially first thing in the morning when he is well-rested and full! I would love to know what he is thinking and saying.

We splurged and got a new stroller, and I'm excited to use it more as the weather gets nicer. Green Lake here we come!

Here are some recent photos:

Showing his skillz - on his tummy, concentrating and grasping




Wearing a green diaper for St. Patrick's Day!