4 months

Dear Eli,

You're 1/3 of a year old now! How time flies!

You are changing and growing so much. At your well check you weighed in at 14 lbs 3 oz and 23 1/2 inches. This puts you at 38% for weight and 9% for height. Our pediatrician said you're short and chubby, just the way babies are supposed to be. She also said you had the most beautiful head, then went on to tell me it's in the 58th percentile. Ha! Your daddy and I are sure you're going to be a genius. Physically you're right on track with good head control, really strong legs gained through your love of standing, and the ability to push up while on your tummy.

You're much more alert this month, than you have been. You stay awake for much longer periods, take shorter and fewer naps, and hate to miss out on anything fun around you. You love watching Ryan and Makenna play near you and you'll smile constantly if they're laughing and smiling. If they're fighting or Makenna is crying, however, you'll often start to cry as well. It appears that you're already empathetic to your siblings. You started grabbing at toys this month and especially love an elastic string and wooden ball toy that your cousin Sebastian sent you. It's easy to hold and you get so excited when you get one of the wooden pieces into your mouth to chew on. Mommy loves that it's not plastic and nontoxic. (Thank you again Aunt Sheryl!)

You also started belly laughing this month. You do this when we play peek a boo and patty cake, and sometimes when I sing to you and your daddy flys you in the air. We've discovered tickle spots on your belly and under your arms which bring on the giggles too. It cracks your daddy and I up when we change your clothes, just lifting your arms makes you break into laughter...which in turn causes us to do the same.

We had a visit from your Gramps and Grammy this month. It's been a year since we last saw them in Arizona, so we all enjoyed the visit. You were such a good baby and gave them smiles each time they'd chat with you and you loved to hear my dad whistle. His whistle often caused you to stop fussing and look at him for more. Grammy spent lots of time holding you up to look out the window, another sure fire way to calm you, when you're upset. I'm so glad they got a chance to spend time with you at this age, because you're so sweet and fun and smiley right now!

You'd started sleeping through the night, but that stopped early this month. Most nights you were up once and sometimes twice, although we still got a few all nighters. We'll be starting solids sometime in the weeks ahead, so we'll see if that helps you get through the night more consistently. I'm not complaining though, you generally get up, eat and go right back to sleep.

You're still sleeping in the pack n play in our master closet. Once you're consistently sleeping through the night we'll move you into the crib and you and Makenna will share a room. She's in her big girl bed now, so she's ready for a roommate!

Eli, your sly little smirks and gummy grins brighten my day...every day. I'm so happy you're with us and am really enjoying watching you grow.

I love you always!
Mommy