James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George DuPree

My cheerful Boy Boy in his 51st month...

 

 Two different days- he dressed himself.

Grape cheeks!

This poem by A. A. Milne sums up my sweet son so well. Yesterday he told me that he was wearing his monkey backpack on our walk and that I could hold the leash so that he could protect me on our walk through the neighborhood. :). Love that he is already taking his responsibility as a man seriously even at the age of four!

 

from AA Milne
James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George DuPree
Took great care of his mother though he was only three
James James said to his mother:
"Mother," he said, said he
"You must never go down to the end of the town,
if you don't go down with me.
Don't ever go down to the end of the town,
if you don't go down with me."
...

 

"Mother," he said, said he,
"You must never go down to the end of the town with-
out consulting me."

Rest in one who knows better

I well know that there is so much comfort and safety in boundaries, but I saw that truth played out in front of me this morning.

I took Abigail to the doctor this morning for her well baby 4 month visit. (see stats below) I used the usual double stroller. A in the front and E in the back. D gets to walk. This arrangement often causes problems but with three kiddos there really is no other option. E did unusually well in the stroller until she saw the nurse. (She remembers all too well what happens at this office.) it only got worse from there. When we got back to the room, and she realized it was not a visit for her, she momentarily calmed down. She wanted to get out of the stroller. I let her out. She yelled and wanted to get back in. David had meanwhile climbed in. I was trying to hold Abigail as well as read to David. David, unusually sweet, agreed to climb out again so E could get in. Even in the stroller again, E was just unhappy. She wanted her way and desperately needed a spanking, but it just was not possible in the doctor's office. I suddenly remembered that the stroller has a seatbelt and straps. Too often I try fighting with E to sit while we are walking. Too often I fight E as she tries to climb in and out of the stroller. I sat E down and strapped her in. Her screaming calmed to just a whine and then quiet. Why do I so often fight her when all she needs is the safety and security of boundaries?

Those stroller straps will get far more use from here on out!


A's stats: 25" (76%ile), 13 lbs. 6 oz. (43%ile), and a head circumference of 15.83" (27%ile).

Smiles abounding

Little one you are now 4 months old! So much has change in just your few months of life! Your hair is now filling in again a tiny bit and certainly getting a bit longer. You have also plumped up a bunch! You only wear size 2 diapers (and only Pampers at night or your diapers leak). You can easily fit 3-6 month clothes. Maybe about 13.5 pounds- we'll find out on Monday when we go for a doctor visit.

You are now eating about 5 times a day with between 5-7 oz each time. As of two days ago, you are solely formula fed (although, the transition had been almost complete for several weeks prior to the official weaning). You rarely spit up. Too bad you can't yet quite hold your own bottle for any extended time (you sure are trying though). I am so glad we are done nursing because you would have been that baby who pulls off the cover in order to watch the world around her. As it is, if there are too many interesting things going on, you refuse to drink your bottle- preferring to watch the entertainment being played out in front of you. You are showing great interest in our food so you will be starting solids this week probably.

You also are super interested in tv! It is next to impossible to feed you when it is on. You are also my only baby who adores mirrors. You will giggle for hours at the baby in the mirror. You also are enjoying lots of teething toys and rattles and are now capable of picking them up and bringing them to your mouth.

You are definitely my smiley baby! Everyone comments on it, and it is hard not to be absolutely in love with such a sweet little one. And your giggles are so contagious!

You definitely like Daddy and Biz but David seems to bring about the biggest laughs- second to Mommy, that is! You love snuggling with Mommy. This means you are also the only one of my children to really like the front baby Bjorn.

You are not nearly as happy sitting in the bouncy seat any more, however. You have learned to roll from back to tummy this month ( previously only tummy to back). This latest feat is often attempted in the bouncy chair-often propelling you half out of the chair. I think you are less content because you want to be sitting completely upright when possible now. You are content on your tummy (and occasionally back) when on the playmat or in bed.  No pacifier anymore.  Occasionally you content yourself with your fingers; interestingly, different ones from either of your two siblings--you prefer your first two fingers.

Speaking of bed, you sleep quite well now at night. You go to bed between 7-7:30 and sleep until 5:30-6:00, occasionally as late as 7:30. When I feed you at that hour, you then most often go back to sleep for an hour or two. Normally you get a short nap sometime in the morning (around 10ish). You then take a nice long nap in the afternoon, play for a while, and then back to bed for the night. No matter how cranky you are (sometimes even refusing the bottle), the glider always calms you right down!

Every one of your abundant smiles reminds me that you are our little reward! Little Gator Woo!

Bible heroes, men of God

If you are looking for a good children's Bible, try the Read With Me Bible. This one was given to us by my brother and sister-in-law. We love it! It has many famous as well as more obscure stories. It does not just paraphrase the stories but presents them mostly word for word, only on a very easy level. It also has loads of pictures! (a must for a very active boy)  By far my favorite of the several we have!

On another note, today David told me that he was going to go upstairs to take care of his sister. He said he is going to take care of others because he is a big man of God. :) I found him in his sister's crib, laughing and giggling, the both of them.