4 month checkup

I took Vivien in for her 4 month checkup yesterday. She is very healthy and ready for rice cereal. I didn't want to start quite yet because I just wanted her to stay my little baby, but her doctor said that it won't change much, she'll just learn how to use a spoon and swallow more than just milk. He also said this is an important developmental milestone that we have to do between 4-6 months, I feel better about starting soon.

The doc also said that the reason she is sleeping so horribly lately is probably because she has started REM sleep, which takes her into a deep sleep and then a very light sleep. She is probably waking up during every light sleep. THEN she is probably starting to have separation anxiety, she realizes I'm not there with her and she cries. Ohh little lady. He gave us some sleep training suggestions. I like the Ferber Method, he recommended it. We'll see how it goes. I DON'T like to let her cry. Chris and I tried the "cry it out" method a couple weeks ago. We lasted about 15 minutes, and I will never do it again. Horrible.

Anyway, here are her percentages...

Weight: 12 lbs 12 oz (20%)

Height: 25 inches (70%)

Head: 17 inches (40%)

Hello, tall skinny lady!

She also got her next round of shots. She did AMAZING, which I'm SO glad because Chris had school so I had to be in the room with her. She only cried for 3 seconds. HALLELUJAH! What a CHAMP! The shots also made her sleep like an angel last night. She only woke up at 12 and 5, then was up for the day at 8, I felt like a new woman this morning!

Before shots

After shots

So proud of my tough little princess!

She has been extra sleepy today though, I don't mind because it just give me a (RARE) chance to snuggle with my girl.

 

LOVE HER!

4 months!

Happy 4 months to this BEAUTIFUL girl!

How is it possible that 4 months have come and gone?! I'm loving every minute with my sweetness. Vivien is SO good, we are extremely blessed! It's been a good and quick month, Chris started school (in addition to his 2 jobs), so I get tons of Viv time.

Vivien loves:

Sucking on everything

Grabbing her toes

Kissy sounds

Being awake

Shopping

Constant attention

Looking at Momma

Vivien doesn't love:

Being sleepy

Sleeping

When people sneeze

Loud deep voices

Vivien is SO strong. She completely holds her head up on her own, she has been able to for a while. She constantly whips her head from side to side to take everything in.

Vivien LOVES going to the store, mall, library, or anywhere new. She won't sit in her chair, I have to hold her so she can check everything out. Thank goodness for our Baby Bjorn!

She is SUCH a happy girl. She very rarely cries (usually just when she is sleepy.) When she is extra happy she does this little gasp/laugh/explosion sound and then will immediately stick her hands in her mouth.

Kissing, spitting, raspberry, farting sounds make her laugh. She loves them all.

At the beginning of the month, Vivien would get the hiccups EVERY time she laughed. I think she has outgrown that by now. She laughs a lot and is getting the hiccups less.

Vivien stopped cooing for a couple weeks but has started up like crazy again. I love her voice, it's so sweet.

Vivien is growing like a WEED! We had to pack up a lot of clothes and jammies that she has suddenly outgrown.

She loves wrapping up in her hooded towels after her nightly tub.

Vivien reaches for everything now. She is so smart!

She takes 40 minute (on the dot) naps. She definitely isn't a sleeper.

Vivien grabs everything and it goes straight into her mouth.

Her voice changed this month. It's really high and screechy now. She is also getting VERY loud.

It took her 2.5 months to outgrow her newborn diapers, but she has already outgrown her size 1s. Onto the 2s!

Vivien learned to roll onto her sides. Sometimes it scares her and she'll launch herself back to her back, but mostly she likes it, she probably loves the new view of the world.

She is not a good a TERRIBLE sleeper, day and night. But she is extremely happy so that's all that matters.

Vivien loves being part of conversations. She will babble along as people are talking.

She started sitting in the big girl seat of her stroller this week, and again I think she loves the new view.

Viv eats really fast now. I'm glad I stuck with breastfeeding, I'm really enjoying it now.

 

She is a champ at tummy time. She lays there just fine and can lift her head to look around.

 

Vivien has really strong belly muscles, she can almost sit up on her own. All we have to do is hold her legs and she'll sit there all on her own. It's amazing to see how fast she is growing and learning.

Dear Viv,

Hi my sweet girl, where has the time gone? Wasn't it just yesterday we were staring at each other for the first time in the hospital? You're growing up so fast, I can't believe how smart you are already. I sure love you. I love you smile, your chubby cheeks, your beautiful eyes, your adorable laugh, your contagious smile, I could go on and on. Every single thing about you is so perfect. Everyone loves your sweet personality, I hope your happy demeanor is a lifelong trait of yours. You are such a special girl, please always remember that. You are so loved, Vivien.

Love, Mom