The Joni Journey: My Lil 4 Month Old

Less than an hour old; 1 month old; 2 months old; and 4 months old

Our lil baby is 4 months old today! Ezzy, you are such a cheerful, smily baby. You're fascinated with everything around you and you love being surrounded by people, exploring the outdoors, and visiting new places. Watching you learn and grow makes all the little skills and sights and sounds we'd normally take for granted seem new and exciting. You've officially found your voice and you love chattering away (just like Daddy!). I can almost imagine what you will sound like once you start talking and I can't wait to hear what your first words will be. Every day that your Daddy and I get to spend with you makes us feel like the luckiest people in the world. We love you more than words can say.

Some 4 Month Stats: Ezzy has gained almost a pound in the last month, up to 13.4 lbs from 12.5 at two months. His clothing sizes are all over the place. He fits into some 0-3 month pants still, but can also wear 6 month onesies and t-shirts. He eats about every three hours, though he's gone as long as six hours without eating as long as he's distracted and entertained. But then he makes up for it by eating every hour, so it all balances out in the end. He's still exclusively breastfeeding and has never taken a bottle, but we'll probably start trying out the bottle thing in the near future.

A few notable changes in the last month:

Ezzy recently started sleeping for 7 hour stretches. Not every night, but frequently enough for me to go to bed with hope that I'll get some real sleep.
He's also started sleeping in his own crib. Our typical night goes something along the lines of nursing him to sleep around 9:00, putting him in his crib (sometimes still slightly awake) and then he'll wake up anywhere between 3-5. I nurse him in my bed, and then I move to the couch at some point, because if I sleep next to him he'll nurse all night, whereas if I keep the boobs out of sight, he'll go back to sleep til anywhere between 7-9.
He's really exploring all kinds of new sounds. Like I pointed out in the last post, "hmm" and "mmm" are his most current favorites. He also experiments with pitch and volume. Sometimes he'll scream for no reason other than to hear his own voice, which is actually pretty adorable.
He's still fine-tuning his hand-eye coordination. He's gotten to the point that he can grab and hold onto things, and he's even starting putting random things (pillows, wii controller, blankets) in his mouth. Yay...

Ezzy Likes: (in addition to all his 3 month favorites)

His exersaucer. The toys. The sounds. Standing on his own. Throwing himself backward and making the whole thing sway. It's a baby paradise. And the best part is that it keeps him enthralled for up to 30 minutes a few times a day. Mommy is a fan.
Pillows. Specifically ones with patterns. He'll stare at them with his eyebrows raised and his pupils all dilated before he dives headfirst into it, usually while letting out a rebel yell.
Clutching anything he can get his hands on. And this kid has an iron grip. Bibs. Tshirts. Hair. Skin. Move it or lose it.
After-dinner walks.
People watching in crowded, noisy places.
Splashing in the bathtub.
"Walking" and "standing".
Sucking on his bottom lip.
Chatting up a storm. Often to nobody in particular.
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You by Dr. Seuss.
Watching us play Mario Kart.
Being carried around by Daddy - both in his throne position, and on Joe's shoulders. I see this being a favorite at least until he's able to walk.

Ezzy Dislikes: (Pretty much the same list as when he turned 3 months. He's an easy-going baby, so it's not a long list.)