Baby Spanx

Luke had his 4 month doctor's appointment today. He weighs 17 lbs, 6 oz and is 25 1/2 inches long. We may need to invest in some Baby Spanx.

In all seriousness, the doctor said he looks very healthy. We talked about tough love in the bottle category (I want him to take one. He doesn't think it's necessary.) and in the sleep category (I think he should sleep. He doesn't think it's necessary.). Other than that it was some shots, some cuddling with Mommy, and some shut eye in the car on the way home.

First Day of School

Jack has been suffering from a major case of school envy. Almost every day he asks me if Ross and Brylie are at school. Now, I know that Jack has absolutely no idea what school is, but he does know that his friends go and he doesn't. So a couple of weeks ago I decided that Jack was going to start going to school, but that he would be going at home and the curriculum was going to be the alphabet. 

The teacher in me has resurfaced. I've actually written lesson plans for this week even though they didn't have to be turned into the principal. I've gathered materials, spending my own money like teachers know they do all of the time. I've worked tirelessly in the evenings after the boys have gone to bed, been there done that a thousand times. I've even told John that I want to negotiate my contract before legislation changes. It all paid off even before "school" started. When I went in to get Jack after his nap, I asked him if he wanted to go to school. The smile on his face stretched from one ear to the other. And like I said, that was even before school started. 

We made letter A cookies. What two year old wouldn't think that school is the most magical place on earth after making cookies on the first day? 

One of my former co-workers gave me a lot of really good ideas. She also tole me not to expect Jack to get it right away. She said, "One day, you'll be driving along and he'll go "Mama, there's Grandma's G!!" and point to a sign and you'll know it's working!"  So, Jack and I are just going to keep baking, reading, crafting, and playing until that day comes. 

Luke- 4 Months

Our youngest is four months old today. Luke has changed so much this month. I feel like he is no longer in that newborn stage. His personality is starting to shine through, and it's a wonderful one! He smiles and giggles at anyone who will stop and chat with him. If I could just sit and talk to him the entire day, he would never fuss. 

Luke loves little ditties and rhymes. He gets especially excited when we do the cuckoo clock song and dance. He'll pay some attention to toys, but really he'd rather interact with me, Jack, or Daddy. He's an extremely social baby, and he wants to see everything. He's very interested in his fingers and toes. For that reason, diaper changes are his favorite times of the day because he can finally get at those toes that Mom has been hiding beneath his socks. He rolls from his back to his belly with ease and often. It's funny because he gets stuck on his belly and has to yell to get a little help. Within 30 seconds of rescue, he's done it again and needs some more help. He likes to sit in his Bumbo seat because he can see what's going on around the house. Really, he just wants to keep tabs on Mommy 24 hours a day. :-)

He's on a predictable schedule which pleases his mom. He's my alarm clock each morning at 0600. It's back to bed sometime between 0830 and 0900 for a little catnap. He takes his longest nap around 1230 when he can sleep with me. The afternoons that he manages a little catnap are his happiest days, but that doesn't happen as often as I would like. I start his bedtime routine around 1830, and he's generally asleep by 1900. I never know what to expect from the night. Some nights he sleeps through the night. Other nights he's up once or twice. 

The little booger absolutely refuses to eat from a bottle. Grandma, Sarah, and I have all tried coaxing him into giving it a try, but it just infuriates him like nothing else can. I wish I had ignored the lactation consultant's advice about not giving him a bottle or a pacifier the first month. I feel as if I missed my window of opportunity. 

I take Luke to his four month doctor's appointment on Tuesday. I'll be sure to update with weights and other measurements then.

All Boy

You know how people say, "He's all boy." I think this is what they are talking about.

Toes

Sometime in the last week or so, Luke found his toes. He finds them nearly as entertaining as he does his fingers.