4 Months!

And just like that, one third of Isabella's first year is gone! This girl is growing so much and so quickly I can barely stand it.  As sad as I get that another week has passed, I am having so much more fun with her and enjoying her more and more every single week. 

As cute and cuddly as newborns are, 4 month old babies are so much more interactive and smiley ; )  So I will continue to just enjoy each and every day, and celebrate the milestones.  

With that...

Happy 4 Months Isabella Rae!

4 Month Highlights

-Everything has started to go into your mouth this month...including your hands, all the time! You really try to fit the entire fist in, but you can't quite get there!

-You are cooing and babbling even more this month!  You've even started giggling more the past week, which just melts my heart!

-You still don't love tummy time when we put you on your sheepskin or playmat, but you love it when you are just hanging out on daddy's tummy. You really do have great head control now, so those chest sessions have paid off! 

"Really mama?? This again...ugh!"

-We went to an apple orchard with Mimi to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and North Georgia mountains.  You just chilled in the Boba wrap and were as content as could be!

-Mimi, Tia Ja, you and Mama went to the Georgia aquarium for the day. We thought we would be in and out in 2 hours, but 5.5 hours later we were still having a blast! You loved the big walls of fish, and the tunnel of fish swimming all above you! I loved seeing your eyes light up in wonder at all of these new things you had never seen before!

-You had your second flight to Chicago and once again were a rock star.  You slept the entire time on Mama's chest in the Boba.  We love that you are a great little traveler!

-In Chicago, we were able to see our townhouse one last time.  It was fun taking you back into our room, where your mini nursery once was, and remembering how tiny you were not that long ago!  You won't remember this place as your home, but it will always be special to your daddy and I because it was where we got married, had over nine wonderful years together, and then had you! 

Weird feeling sitting in our bedroom with it being totally empty!

-While overall you travel well, you didn't love sleeping in one big hotel room with Daddy and I. I think you are used to having your own room, with your own sound machine, and relative darkness.  It shows me you are getting used to a little bit of routine.

Finally, a bed that I can fit in : )

-You had a definite change in cry this month.  At 15 weeks, all of a sudden, you became more forceful in your cry, and definitely had an angrier more high pitched squeal when you were mad.  The first time I heard it was after you had been in your carseat for a little bit, I took you out, you were happy, and then laid you down on a bed. You got SO mad that I laid you down, you surely let me know it! 

-Also at 15 weeks your umbilical hernia disappeared! Yay!

-We threw a baby shower for Tia Ja and you were certainly the hit of the party!  

-You still only poop every 3-5 days, but don't seem to be bothered by it.  Let's just say when you go, it's a pretty big ordeal : )

 Sleeping: Right after 3 months, Bella started sleeping longer throughout the night!  Her bedtime for the first half of the month was around 7:30 or 8pm, and she would sleep until 6 or 7 am. The second half of the month she would go down around 7pm and sleep until 6am or so.  That being said, she typically wakes up several times a night crying for her pacifier, and occasionally needs rocked back to sleep for about 5 to 10 minutes once a night. But without a feeding overnight, I am able to get a lot more sleep. 

Overall we have nothing to complain about in the sleep at night department! Naps are a totally different ballgame though.  She pretty much hates them.  Unless it's a rare (RARE!) occasion, we usually only get her to sleep about 30 minutes at a time, several times a day in her crib.  Oh well, you win some, you lose some!

Breastfeeding: By 3 months we were hitting our stride.  Now, at 4 months I feel like "We got this girl!"  At 14 weeks, we were able to ditch the shield permanently.  Oh how amazing that has been!  Bella eats five times a day which means every 3 hours (or so) during the day, and started going 11 hours overnight without eating! Champion sleeper...and eater!  At 16 weeks you started getting more distracted, and would pull off only to look around, and then give a big smile!  Super cute, but makes for a longer eating session!

Isabella Loves:

-Moo cow wub-a-nub

-Baths in the sink or showers with Mama & Daddy

-Taking walks or just being outside

-Swinging in the swing, particularly when the music and mobile are going

-Piano play mat

-Being held...all the time!

-Sleeping on daddy's chest or mama's arms

-Being rocked and sung to sleep at night

Isabella Hates:

-Naps in the crib

-Being in the car seat for a long time (which her definition of "long time" changes on a daily basis!)

-Tummy time 

4 Month Stats:

Weight- 12 lb (approx. 15th percentile)

Height- 24 in (approx. 40th percentile)

Head Circumference- 15.5 in (20th percentile)

-She wore newborn sized diapers until 16.5 weeks when we ran out, then switched to size 1 pampers swaddlers which seem to be HUGE on her!  They work great though so we are sticking with it. 

-Wearing newborn sized onsies that don't have feet (b/c she is too long for those), and 0-3 month onesies, pants and outfits.  Newborn pants fit better in the waist (ie: don't fall straight off like some of the 0-3 month pants), but are more like capris.  She may still be small, but she's definitely growing!

Isabella's Firsts this Month:

-First trip to the aquarium 9/20/14

-First time in a hotel 9/21-9/24/14

-First apple orchard adventure 10/3/14

This Month in Pictures:

Pretty in lots of pink!

All of a sudden tummy time is ok when the tv is turned on!

Cutest bunny ever!

Such a happy baby!

Oh I just love this face!

Cute baby + coffee + outdoor fireplaces = one happy mama!

Seriously loving bath time!

Elephant power!

Second cousin Brianna came for a visit and you LOVED her!

Gotta love cat naps on the couch next to mama on the tummy!

"WHAT!?!?" She is SO her daddy's child in this one!