Thursday, January 31, 2013

Months 4 and 5: Zoe

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays I did not complete a 4 month post for Z, so here is a rundown of the last two months.  


Month 4 was kind of a blur with Christmas celebrations and travel, but I do remember Zoe's sleep struggles.  There is something about the 4 month mark where children (at least mine) experience some sleep regression.  She went from waking up 1x/night to 2-3x/night with 5 a.m. wake-ups.  Naps were inconsistent usually only lasting 30-45 minutes.  While the napping has changed very little, she is back to only waking up 1x/night.




She goes to sleep between 6-6:30 p.m., wakes between 3:30-4:30 a.m. to eat, then up for good between 6-6:30 a.m. (at least this week).  She takes 3-4 naps per day that typically last 30-45 minutes.  I long for the few days she takes a long nap (1-2 hours).  It makes a huge difference, especially when I have a toddler that no longer naps, but does spend 1 hour in his room each day.

She eats approximately 6 times per day.  She primarily nurses during the day.  I will give her a bottle of formula if we are out and she gets one 4-6 ounce bottle every night at bedtime.  I did have another blocked duct last week that has led to some problems (potentially yeast), but I am trying to be proactive.

She is still a spitter.

She prefers her thumb over the paci.


Silly girl still will not roll over.  She will turn on her side extending her neck to look behind her, but that is as far as it gets.  She enjoys tummy time and will push up fully extending her elbows, chest off the ground, and head at 90 degrees.  She can tripod sit for a few seconds, so I really think she may sit before she rolls.



She is constantly grabbing and manipulating objects.  She can bring the objects to her mouth.  She continues to be mesmerized by her hands.  She enjoys grabbing our faces and any of her toys that have a narrow grip.  She reaches over head and straight in front of her to swat objects (either on her play mat or in her bouncy chair)

She loves when I play peek a boo with her.


She is crying less in the car and will ride in the stroller for 15-20 minutes if we keep moving and there is something to keep her attention.  I would say she only cries about 60% of the time in the car which is a huge improvement.  


She wears size 3 diapers and 6 month clothing, but we are quickly approaching 9 month.  I have no idea what she weighs, because I have yet to take her for her 4 month appointment.  I love her baby rolls.  They're so soft and squidgy.


I am about 99% sure she will have my brown eyes.  She has a glimmer in her eyes that is simply gorgeous.


She is extremely social!!!  This is so much different than B was as a baby.  He was easily over stimulated, but the more action the better for Zoe.  She is actually less fussy when we are out and about or when someone is over for a play date.  She will just sit and watch the kids play or will fall asleep in my arms.


She has the greatest smile and the sweetest laugh.  She always smiles when me, Sam, or B engages her unless she is simply exhausted.  She will switch back and forth between smiling, laughing, and panting with her tongue out.  It is hilarious!


Zoe,

I wish I could describe in words how your smile and your laugh make me feel, but I can't.  It simply lights up my world.  You have definitely captured my heart and your dad..........well, he is madly in love with you.  I love to nuzzle your chubby cheeks and neck just to hear you laugh.  I love your sweet baby rolls.  I love how you lay in the floor and watch your brother and then pant when he comes over to interact with you.  I love how happy you are in the morning.  You are a true gift from God and I pray He protects you all the days of your life.  I pray your heart would be pure and that you would live a life of truth all the days of your life.

Love,

Mom


3 comments:

Shannan said...

I jumped over to your website a few weeks ago. Your kiddos are gorgeous and your photography is stunning!!

Tara said...

So adorable!

Sandy said...

Amber, what a wonderful job of capturing Zoe's engaging smiles and sweet personality! I'm putting in my Mother"s Day request for some of these... :-)