Are you kidding me... 4 months old! You are growing so quickly Kaden!
health
We think his eyelid is starting to look better. Even the ladies at daycare think so too. Yay :)
We aren't exactly sure about weight gain because we haven't been to the doctor, but Kirby held him and weighed him and we are thinking around 14lbs.
sleep
Well most of this month, the little booger didn't like to sleep at daycare, so he was running on about 1-2 hours of sleep when we picked him up everyday. The past week or so though, thankfully, he's started to do better. He'll usually take one short (30-45 minutes) and one long (1-2 hour) nap. When he gets home though, he struggles to take another nap before bedtime. He's usually up from 3ish until 8ish! Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. ;)
Night time is good, but it could be better. I realized he was keeping himself awake because he was getting cold, so we started dressing him warmer. I think we solved that problem. He also seemed to wake up and stay awake because of the nightlight in his room, so we took that out. After both of those changes, he seems to be sleeping longer stretches... not just consistently. Sometimes he's hungry and sometimes I think he's just getting up by habit. We plan on talking to the doctor about the sleep habits (at home and daycare) at his 4 month appointment at the end of the month.
sizes
He was fitting snug into a few 0-3 months for most of this month, but recently, I packed them up to give away. No more 0-3. As most mother's know, it really depends on the brand. He's ranging from 3months (some being big) to 6 months (some of those fitting just right).
He's still in the size 1 diapers. I have a feeling it won't be long until his little thighs will be needing the size 2's though.
visitors
Oh yes... lots of them!
diet
Drinking mama's milk, and we plan on trying some cereal after his 4 month appointment. Actually, this month has been tough in the eating department. I'll be happy to hear if he has gained weight, because he created some bad habits. He was/is eating a few short/small meals... but not eating more often. Since I am nursing him in the evenings and at night, I'm not sure how much he's drinking, but after estimating, we think he's getting the minimum amount for his age. Plus... several times a week, he'd spit up so much at daycare, they'd have to change his clothes. So we'll see what the doctor says.
likes
*still loves talking and eye contact!
*playing peek-a-boo
*"Wheels on the Bus"- this has been our secret weapon the past few days. For some reason, (probably my awesome singing voice) he calms down instantly when I start singing "Wheels on the Bus". Other songs work okay, but that one works all the time.
dislikes
I had to stop and think about this one. Things have really settled down and other than being too tired or hungry, nothing really gets him upset. He is such a happy baby.
things to remember
Oh my... there are so many to remember! (Maybe if I did a better job blogging on a more regular basis, this section wouldn't be so full.)
Our big boy rolled over from his belly to back! (Sept. 30) Dad ran out to get us something to eat and the little guy surprised Mama. I quickly grabbed the camera, Ipad, phone, video camera to be sure to capture it when he did it again. And he did... 5 more times after that.
*click to enlarge*
It won't be long til he's rolling form back to belly, too. He's been working on it... making it to his side several times. He's got all the right motions... just needs to put it all together at the right time. He's very nosey observant, so I have a feeling it won't be long.
About a month ago, we asked the ladies at daycare to do tummy time with Kaden. With the lack of sleep he was getting at daycare, he was coming home and crashing... giving us only the weekends to work on tummy time. Since then, he's really improved.
Now with better head control, he's been pushing his head and chest up while laying on the floor, playing in his bumbo, and very recently started playing in his jumper!
This month he started to have different types of "talking". He has a mad/angry talk. He does it when he's mostly in bed.
Grabbing... Reaching... Holding everything he can!
I'm finally getting around to writing about the 2nd half of our family's visit.
This was Kaden's first "real" beach day. He wasn't too into it like we wanted him to be, but he hung in there long enough for a bottle, diaper blow out, and some talking time in his new tent.
Being inside was his idea of a better time. Of course, he was the star of the show and everyone couldn't get enough of him.
That night we went out for some shopping and a quick dinner. It must have been a rough day for our buddy... he was out!
The second day at the beach wasn't much better. He hung out for a bit and then ended up snoozin' upstairs in the condo for a few hours.
That evening we attempted to take some family photos (even though we were missing some people). The rain held off for us and we were able to get a few good shots in before it got too dark.
*I'll post some more group shots on another day.
We finished our last night with the family hanging out and eating pizza. Kaden... your family sure does love you!
The next morning, we said our tearful goodbyes after breakfast on Main St. before sending our family off to Maryland, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.
Kaden is so blessed and we are so thankful for all the love that surrounded him that weekend. We can't wait to look back together and show him the great memories we had when he met the family for the first time.
I've wanted to write about this topic for quite some time now, but never thought it was the right time. This is something that has gone on for many years and has affected my life in so many ways.
I haven't spoken to my parents in almost 4 years. There is so much behind why we haven't and it would be far too much for me to write about on the blog. Through it all though, I've experienced so many different emotions. From feelings of anger, frustration, hatred, loneliness, jealously, and disappointment, to feelings of peace, love, happiness, and relief. Sometimes when I think about it, I don't know what to feel. Right now, though, my biggest feeling is frustration and sadness for Kaden.
Unfortunately, my parents have been missing out on the happiest time period of my life (coincidentally, the past 4 years). They've been missing out on a beautiful marriage Kirby and I share, and most importantly of all, the birth and life of their first grandchild, Kaden. As happy and fulfilled as our family of three is, it would be that much better with my extended family in it.
It is sad to think the time lost so far, especially Kaden's birth, can never be experienced by them. Kirby, Kaden and I made a promise that we will always support and respect one another and do everything we can to never let anything tear our family apart.
I am thankful for the love and support of my husband, family, and friends who listen to and help me through this. I hope that one day Kaden receives all the love and attention he deserves from his entire family.
I grew up in Canton, Ohio. Kirby grew up in Friendsville, MD. We met while teaching at an elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland. After getting engaged in June 2007, we moved to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We were married on August 9, 2008 on the beach near our home. We just became parents to our first child in June 2012.
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