Wednesday, August 31, 2011
4 months, 8 days and growing
Yesterday, Callan was 4 months and 8 days old. He had his 4 month appointment and he is growing like a weed. It is well documented here that he is larger than the average baby his age, and at 4 months, 8 days, it was no exception.
His official stats:
Weight: 18 pounds, 2 ounces
Length: 27.5 inches. The doctor first measured him at 28 inches, but decided that couldn't be right so she remeasured and came up with 27.5.
Clearly these are not the normal stats for a 4 month old... they are actually more on par with a 6 month old. He is off the charts for both height and weight, but again, the thing I was most concerned about during pregnancy was the size of his head and that is solidly in the 50th percentile. Perfectly average head, off the charts for height and weight and perfect in every other way (to me).
Other than that we got his eczema looked at and a scrip for some hydro-cortisone for his face and body along with some moisturizer cream. I'm hoping that will clear it up since we've been fighting the eczema on his face for a few weeks now. He had his 4 month immunization, which he took like a champ. He wasn't too pleased with the oral vaccine and the second shot in his thigh made him cry. But after a little chow he calmed right down and although he was definitely a little bit grumpier, cuddlier and sleepier last night, he was no worse for wear. Today according to Adelia he's been sleepier and has eaten a bit more than normal, but I think that is about the same as his reaction to his 2 month shots. At the doctor's we also discussed the introduction of solids, but we are in no rush for that and am planning on holding off for a bit longer. He obviously is thriving on breast milk, he doesn't need the extra calories and I want to make sure he's ready developmentally before we push solids. We also discussed his sleep and although Callan is a pretty champion sleeper and I know he can go the whole night from 8:30 to 6:30/7, he's been waking up around 2:30 am to eat during the week. I don't know if it's because I'm at work during the day or if he doesn't eat as much from the bottle, but I'm torn as to whether I should try to cut this feeding out or keep up with it. It does seem like he's hungry b/c he'll eat and it's not just comfort sucking, but I also don't want to form bad habits and he is able to go through the night (as he proves a few times a week). She also suggested putting him to bed earlier since 8:30 is pretty late, but I'm hesitant to mess with his schedule too much since in the grand scheme of things he is doing really well. I guess eventually we'll adjust his schedule, but we'll have to do it slowly b/c I've gotten used to getting some pretty good chunks of sleep and I'm not sure I'm ready to go backwards!
Our next appointment is in October for his 6 month check up. I'm assuming at that point he's going to be the size of a 9 month old, but that just means there's more of him to love.
This picture has nothing to do with anything, but he's cute and is determined to get that foot in his mouth (just like a 6 month old).
Friday, August 26, 2011
Important question
We interrupt the steady steam of mushiness and cuteness that has taken over the blog to ask a serious question. Say it's about noon when you realize your underwear is on inside out. What do you do?
A) Continue to do so even though it's weird and hope today is not the day you get rushed to the hospital (because you know that they would just assume you're wearing them inside out because they're dirty)?
B) Put them on correctly even though you've spent half a day wearing them like that? Or
C) obsess about it and ask the Internet? And wonder if you're making the right choice?
I mean not that this happened (or happens) to me. I was just wondering... for a friend... Yup, a friend.
A) Continue to do so even though it's weird and hope today is not the day you get rushed to the hospital (because you know that they would just assume you're wearing them inside out because they're dirty)?
B) Put them on correctly even though you've spent half a day wearing them like that? Or
C) obsess about it and ask the Internet? And wonder if you're making the right choice?
I mean not that this happened (or happens) to me. I was just wondering... for a friend... Yup, a friend.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Happy Birthday!
To Huge:
Sorry I didn't buy you a present, but I hope you have the best birthday ever and I know that the upcoming year is going to be truly spectacular. This little guy will make sure of it!
Love,
Rachel (and Callan)
Sorry I didn't buy you a present, but I hope you have the best birthday ever and I know that the upcoming year is going to be truly spectacular. This little guy will make sure of it!
Love,
Rachel (and Callan)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Month 4
Dear Bubs-
It's funny that your dad and I consciously decided to not call you monkey since so many people call their kids that and settled on variations of bubs, bubba and bubba gump only to find out that your friends Luke and Michael are also called that! It's too late to change especially since the name really seems to fit you. We also like to call you Mister Callan, although I'm not sure why we need to be so formal with you!
Anyway, guess what happened yesterday? You turned 4 months old! Where has the last month gone?
I really need to keep track of the events of the month better, otherwise these newsletters are going to be kind of boring. Let's see what's happened...
This month your laugh has really developed. It's one of my favorite sounds and your dad knows just how to make you laugh. You love bouncing and recently we've discovered that you love clapping (or at least find it hysterical). The blue bouncy chair is one of your favorite places to laugh and I'm going to be really sad when you're too big for it. The weight limit is 25 pounds, so I'm hoping we still have a good amount of time left. Hearing you laugh makes me laugh and I love how much of a goof your daddy is with you.
You have also discovered your feet this month and you love to grab them. You haven't put them in your mouth, but you do love rolling around holding your feet. I guess that's why in yoga it's called "happy baby"! You still haven't rolled over, but I've decided that you just don't want to. You get 95% of the way there and then decide to go back the way you came. You also do this cute thing where you lift your legs up in the air and then fling them to the side so you can move. You've gotten quite proficient at this and we sometimes find you in a different spot than where we left you, especially in your crib at night. You are still loving your activity mat although your newest "trick" is trying to climb the arches. You like to grab ahold of them and bend them towards you (and your mouth!) or try to wrap your legs around them. It is the funnies thing to watch especially since I'm not sure what it is you're trying to do!
You still love putting things in your mouth. Pretty much anything you play with ends up in your mouth. You've discovered Sophie this month and enjoy chomping on her ears (thank you Uncle Junior and Auntie Van). It still looks like a dog toy to me, but you love her. Your other favorite toys are the letter links and the toy we've dubbed the Perman toy (they are the ones who got it for you). It's fun to watch you gum at the toys and try to shove as much of it as possible in your mouth. Your dad and I are convinced that you're teething so it'll be interesting to see when your first tooth pops out.
We are so lucky to have you staying at home with Adelia while mama and daddy at are at work. It's only been a month with her, but it seems like she's been a part of your life forever. You always seem so happy to see her in the morning and are always in a good mood when we get home. We know that you're in good hands and are having a great day. One of the best things is that she sends us pictures and little updates during the day. It makes me miss you a little less and makes a tough day at work more bearable. Today she sent me a picture of you lounging (or trying to escape) from your chair. It makes me laugh and smile at work to get little snippets of your day sent to me and this picture especially makes me laugh because of your expression. You make some great expressions and I hope to capture them all.
You also get to hang out with Luke 4 days a week and although we joke that you're picking up some of his bad habits, I can't imagine sharing Adelia with anyone else. I can't wait until you two are old enough to start interacting -Adelia is going to have her hands full with you two! Considering how active you are when you're on the floor under your activity mat, or in your chair, you're probably going to be one of those kids always on the go.
Finally, Adelia has cracked the code and this month you have become so much better at taking a bottle. You still aren't super consistent, but I know that you're eating enough during the day. The funny thing is that you like to help hold the bottle and sometimes you're successful.
It makes me a little sad because I know that one day you're not going to be my little baby who needs me to feed him and that with every day that passes, you are closer to turning into an independent little boy. I already have seen you change so much and I although I enjoy every new development, I want to keep you my little baby so if I try to sneak in an extra snuggle or two, I hope you'll let me. We haven't tried to do a full day of exclusively the bottle, but we're hoping to one day soon. Although I don't want to leave you, it'll be nice to know that someone else can put you to bed.
Speaking of bed, your sleep habits have become a little erratic and you're not sleeping straight through the night every night. Although I complain, I know that you are still much better than the average 4 month old and getting up once a night with you is nothing in comparison to what it could be like. It's just that you spoiled us with your sleeping and I'd like to get that schedule back soon (if possible).
This month's newsletter is pretty boring, but I hope you realize that I haven't been keeping good records because I'm having too much fun with you, trying to soak in every moment I have. There are only a limited number of hours I get to see you awake during the week and I need to try to cram as much time in with you as possible. Sometimes when I see you sleeping or playing with your dad I wonder what we did to deserve such a cute, sweet baby as you. I laugh at your nana when she tells me that she looks at your picture or watches videos of you and cries, but to be honest, I understand how she feels because I see your sweet face and just want to eat you up. Even with your outbreak of eczema (or whatever that rash was on your face), you were still the cutest baby ever. I know every parent says that about their child, but I really think you are the cutest!
Happy 4 month birthday bubs. I can't wait to see what the next month has in store for us.
Love,
Mama
It's funny that your dad and I consciously decided to not call you monkey since so many people call their kids that and settled on variations of bubs, bubba and bubba gump only to find out that your friends Luke and Michael are also called that! It's too late to change especially since the name really seems to fit you. We also like to call you Mister Callan, although I'm not sure why we need to be so formal with you!
Anyway, guess what happened yesterday? You turned 4 months old! Where has the last month gone?
I really need to keep track of the events of the month better, otherwise these newsletters are going to be kind of boring. Let's see what's happened...
This month your laugh has really developed. It's one of my favorite sounds and your dad knows just how to make you laugh. You love bouncing and recently we've discovered that you love clapping (or at least find it hysterical). The blue bouncy chair is one of your favorite places to laugh and I'm going to be really sad when you're too big for it. The weight limit is 25 pounds, so I'm hoping we still have a good amount of time left. Hearing you laugh makes me laugh and I love how much of a goof your daddy is with you.
You have also discovered your feet this month and you love to grab them. You haven't put them in your mouth, but you do love rolling around holding your feet. I guess that's why in yoga it's called "happy baby"! You still haven't rolled over, but I've decided that you just don't want to. You get 95% of the way there and then decide to go back the way you came. You also do this cute thing where you lift your legs up in the air and then fling them to the side so you can move. You've gotten quite proficient at this and we sometimes find you in a different spot than where we left you, especially in your crib at night. You are still loving your activity mat although your newest "trick" is trying to climb the arches. You like to grab ahold of them and bend them towards you (and your mouth!) or try to wrap your legs around them. It is the funnies thing to watch especially since I'm not sure what it is you're trying to do!
You still love putting things in your mouth. Pretty much anything you play with ends up in your mouth. You've discovered Sophie this month and enjoy chomping on her ears (thank you Uncle Junior and Auntie Van). It still looks like a dog toy to me, but you love her. Your other favorite toys are the letter links and the toy we've dubbed the Perman toy (they are the ones who got it for you). It's fun to watch you gum at the toys and try to shove as much of it as possible in your mouth. Your dad and I are convinced that you're teething so it'll be interesting to see when your first tooth pops out.
We are so lucky to have you staying at home with Adelia while mama and daddy at are at work. It's only been a month with her, but it seems like she's been a part of your life forever. You always seem so happy to see her in the morning and are always in a good mood when we get home. We know that you're in good hands and are having a great day. One of the best things is that she sends us pictures and little updates during the day. It makes me miss you a little less and makes a tough day at work more bearable. Today she sent me a picture of you lounging (or trying to escape) from your chair. It makes me laugh and smile at work to get little snippets of your day sent to me and this picture especially makes me laugh because of your expression. You make some great expressions and I hope to capture them all.
Finally, Adelia has cracked the code and this month you have become so much better at taking a bottle. You still aren't super consistent, but I know that you're eating enough during the day. The funny thing is that you like to help hold the bottle and sometimes you're successful.
It makes me a little sad because I know that one day you're not going to be my little baby who needs me to feed him and that with every day that passes, you are closer to turning into an independent little boy. I already have seen you change so much and I although I enjoy every new development, I want to keep you my little baby so if I try to sneak in an extra snuggle or two, I hope you'll let me. We haven't tried to do a full day of exclusively the bottle, but we're hoping to one day soon. Although I don't want to leave you, it'll be nice to know that someone else can put you to bed.
Speaking of bed, your sleep habits have become a little erratic and you're not sleeping straight through the night every night. Although I complain, I know that you are still much better than the average 4 month old and getting up once a night with you is nothing in comparison to what it could be like. It's just that you spoiled us with your sleeping and I'd like to get that schedule back soon (if possible).
This month's newsletter is pretty boring, but I hope you realize that I haven't been keeping good records because I'm having too much fun with you, trying to soak in every moment I have. There are only a limited number of hours I get to see you awake during the week and I need to try to cram as much time in with you as possible. Sometimes when I see you sleeping or playing with your dad I wonder what we did to deserve such a cute, sweet baby as you. I laugh at your nana when she tells me that she looks at your picture or watches videos of you and cries, but to be honest, I understand how she feels because I see your sweet face and just want to eat you up. Even with your outbreak of eczema (or whatever that rash was on your face), you were still the cutest baby ever. I know every parent says that about their child, but I really think you are the cutest!
Happy 4 month birthday bubs. I can't wait to see what the next month has in store for us.
Love,
Mama
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