Day 132: Weather Man

Day 131: Grumpy Baby

This smile was rarely seen today. Not too sure what is going on, but everytime the tylenol wore off, Mitchell was Grumpy Grumperson. Maybe teething?

Last night was just awful as well. He was up 10 times! He ate 3 oz at 11:30 and 5:30. Every other time he needed his paci. Maybe he was in pain from the shots or maybe he really is teething. Whatever it is, I sure hope it passes soon.
I'm also getting very frustrated with feeding Mitchell with a spoon. He didn't like rice cereal with formula, so we tried pear juice. Still acted like he was going to gag, so I tried oatmeal. Still didn't like that, so I tried bananas. How did bananas go? Judge for yourself:

Day 130: Shots For One, Ear Infection For The Other

Mitchell had his four month appointment today. Poor guy had to get shots. He is 15 lbs 10oz and 25 3/4 in long. According to the Dr., he is in the 75th percentile for both height and weight exactly the same Maya always was).

Clearly seen by his crying here, he wasn't too comfortable this evening. After some cuddles, though, we got some cooing and laughing on video tonight. We also started mixing cereal with pear juice. He kind of gagged on it when mixed with formula. He liked it a little better with the juice, but still needs to get used to eating from a spoon.

Cute shot of Mitchell trying to suck his thumb through the paci.

Maya stayed home with daddy today because she had a fever of 100.7. Arthur got an appointment for her right before Mitchell's. Turns out she just has a cold and an ear infection. Much better news than another round of strep throat. I met Arthur and the kids at the Dr.'s office this afternoon. When we left I was strapping Maya into the car seat and she said the cutest thing: "Daddy said the doctor is going to fix me, but I'm not broken."

Day 129: 44 Months

Getting closer and closer to four. Here's your month in review:

• You still love Dora.
• You still love shoes, dresses, and pink.
• You are still a picky eater.
• You are still the best big sister ever!
• You are super excited about Christmas. This year you really understand Santa Claus and what happens on Christmas. We celebrated St. Nick's Day this year, but you didn't get a present. He brought you a note because you are not on his nice list.

Bedtime is pretty much a nightmare when attempted. I guess we can't expect you to have good bedtime habits when we haven't taught you a good bedtime routine. With Daddy being gone so much, you pretty much sleep with me every night and we go to bed super early. Sometimes as early as 8:30.

Your behavior has not been so good lately. You don't listen well and seem to think you are in charge. I'm hoping it gets better soon. I've started some non-negotiable rules lately. No more walking/jumping on the couch and no more changing outfits over and over again. I think life might be just a little less hectic if we could put a stop to those.

You really are so sweet and say such funny things. When I am able to be super patient, we get a long so much better. I'll admit your bad behavior is probably partly my fault. When we are both patient and in good moods your behavior is often perfect.

I felt it was important to include a picture of Grandma Bunch tonight. She passed away today and will be missed dearly. Some of my favorite memories of her include going to her house and seeing pictures on the refrigerator of everyone whose birthday was that month - I was always so excited to see my picture in August. I also have fond memories of leaf raking parties with french onion soup and all the grankids getting sweatshirts for Christmas. There are many more, but those are my favorites. I will end with a quote I found appropriate...

"Grandmothers and rose are much the same. Each are God's masterpieces with different names." -Author Unknown

Day 128: Mitchell's Thoughts

"Hi, Mommy. I've been such a good boy today. Please play with me."

"Oh, Mommy. I see that hand creeping up. uhhh......."

"Ah, he he he...Mommy. You are so funny. I love when you tickle me."

"He he he...stop, Mommy. I'm gonna pee my pants!"

"Oh, look...I found something else I love. Mmmmm, my hands are delicious."

"Oh yeah, almost better than cereal!"

"Whoa. Uh oh...not so much. Help me, I'm gagging!"

Day 127: Cookie Decorating

Day 126: Four Months

Here is what you're up to at 4 months:

• You still spit up a ton.
• You still soothe yourself to sleep at bedtime.
• You still love bath time.
• You finally started sleeping through the night this past weekend. We gave you rice cereal for the first time Friday night. We put some in your bedtime bottle and you slept 9 hours in your crib for the first time ever. You slept 8pm-5am, only crying once around midnight for your paci. Saturday night was even better, 9-7:30, only crying for your paci at 1:30. Sunday night was not quite so perfect, though. You woke up several times so I put you in your swing around midnight. I still consider it somewhat of a success because we didn't have to feed you over night.
• You have started watching me. You follow me around the room with your eyes. It is so cute.
• You have started showing interest in toys and playing with the toys on your exer-saucer.
• You love sucking on your hands and you seem to be trying to figure out how to get your feet into your mouth.
• You are getting better at holding your neck up and you are so strong. When we pull your arms to sitting, you hold your head in line with your body all by yourself.
• Daycare tells me you are advanced. They are impressed by your neck control and strength. They also love how you are so little yet have so much personality.
• You rolled over from your belly to back the day after Thanksgiving. You are also very close to going from your back to belly. You get on your side but can't seem to finish.
  
• You are so awesome, Mitchell. Adored by Mommy, Daddy, and Big Sister. Just stop growing up too fast. I look forward to these milestones, but they keep coming way too fast.

Day 125: Christmas Pajamas

Day 124: First Time In The High Chair

Arthur cleaned up the high chair while I worked the Christmas Festival for school. I was so excited to get Mitchell into it. Now he can sit at the table with us at mealtime. We lost one of the shoulder straps, though. Hopefully we will find it, or Mitchell will just lean to his left until he learns to sit up better.

Maya had lots of fun getting Mitchell into the high chair too.

Apparently Mitchell takes after his big sister when it comes to loving the Wizard Of Oz.

Also, an update on cereal: We put some cereal in his bottle last night and he slept 9 hours! That's right, 9 hours for the first time ever! He went to bed at 8pm and slept until 5 am. He also did it in his crib, not his swing. I hope it continues!

Day 123: Baby Cereal

Mitchell had his first taste of baby cereal tonight. It will take a few nights before he gets the hang of moving the food to the back of his mouth to swallow it. I'm sure he was wearing more than he swallowed. I also put some in his bedtime bottle. He really liked it and drank a lot more than he usually does. Let's hope it translates to a longer streak of sleep, like 6-8 hours.

Since it is the third, I'm supposed to do my update as well. I really don't feel like taking a picture of myself, but I will share my Weight Watchers stats. I have lost seven pounds so far. I'm not thrilled that Weight Watchers decided to change how they calculate points. Hopefully I will be able to adjust quickly and continue with the plan. I need to get back on track after Thanksgiving. I have also been relying a little too much on the fact that I have an Ulcerative Colitis flare at the moment. I would be happy if I could report even just a 5 pound loss in the next month, especially since Christmas and New Year's is included. We'll see how it goes!

Day 122: Memories

Maya loves looking at pictures of herself when she was a baby.

Day 121: Froggy Pants