Big Boy

Ok, here are a couple pictures from yesterday. I look a little grungy, but it was evening. My bed was calling to me :o)

17 Weeks and Growing!

The title says it all :o) I have been meaning to get some more pictures up here, but just haven't gotten around to it. Hopefully this week sometime. Matthew had his 4 month well-baby visit to the doctor yesterday. He now weighs 14lbs 14oz and is 26 inches long. 2 more ounces and he'll have doubled his birth weight! He's in the 52nd percentile for weight and 85th for height. Tall boy :o)

Your baby boy, Matthew, is 17 weeks (Approximately 4.0 months) old now.
The best exercises for your baby right now are those that practice sitting and standing. Encouraging him or her to sit while assisted for longer periods of time strengthens his or her back and stomach muscles, and standing with support strengthens his or her leg muscles. Before you know it your baby will be scooting all over the house.
Did your baby stay on a good growth curve this month? Most babies follow a nice arc on the growth chart, but you might notice a slight dip one month. Babies have growth spurts at different times which can affect the shape of their curve on the chart. If you are concerned about how your baby is growing, be sure to mention it to your doctor at your next visit.
Your little one is now able to accurately track objects with his or her eyes and grasp them with both hands. Her or his eyes are still maturing so his or her depth perception will continue to improve and his or her vision will become clearer.
It is increasingly easy for your baby to turn toward a voice when someone speaks as his or her ability to prop themselves up on his or her arms improves. Be sure to always supervise him or her closely when he or she's on his or her tummy and remove all pillows and soft bedding from the area.

That's about it...the doctor said yesterday that we can start Matthew on cereal anytime now, if we want, but I want to wait a bit longer. All of the current research shows that babies really shouldn't be started on solids until they are close to 6 months old due to an increased risk of food allergies, diabetes, obesity and gastrointestinal problems. People have been starting their babies on solids at varying ages throughout the years, though. I was 3 weeks old when I started cereal and am fine. But Matthew is doing very well without it, so why tempt fate? We'll probably start him in the next few weeks, though. My husband wants to start him sooner rather than later. Patience, sometimes, is not his strong suit ;o)

Another Week

Wow, 16 weeks old! Every week I say that I can't believe it, and I still can't :o) I bet I'll be saying that for the rest of my life.

Your baby boy, Matthew, is 16 weeks (Approximately 3.7 months) old now.
Your baby is probably close to doubling his or her birth weight and he or she may start to cut down on feedings - his or her stomach is growing along with the rest of him or her so he or she doesn't need to eat as often. He or she will probably eat about six to eight times a day if you are breastfeeding, or four to five times if you are formula-feeding or using a combination of both. Feedings may become frustrating as your baby becomes increasingly aware of (and interested in) the world around him or her, gets distracted, and stops at every new noise.
Your baby is learning that every object has a name. Although it will be several months until you hear true words, he or she is beginning to understand that you are called Mom and his or her favorite toy is called Bear, etc. Some babies this age even start imitating speech sounds and patterns that include consonants, such as "ba" and "da."
He or she will continue to play with his or her hands frequently as his or her coordination and strength are improving. But watch out! When in reach, you'll discover his or her little hands grabbing your hair, jewelry, and clothing.
Pay close attention to your baby's extremities, especially his or her fingers and toes and watch for any swelling or redness that may indicate blocked circulation. Tiny threads, strings, or hairs can get wrapped tightly around your baby's fingers or toes and cut off circulation. Remove the thread or string with a pair of baby scissors.

Everything that the newsletter says about Matthew is true :o) He is driving me nuts with his eating habits. Sometimes I'm ready for him to eat, but he just isn't interested. Or he wants to eat, but he'll keep stopping to look around or fidget. I've been known to say, "Matthew, pay attention!" Yeah, that works really well with a 3.5 month old. He also plays with is hands a lot and gets a pretty good grip on my hair sometimes. Such a big boy. His 4 month well baby visit is next Monday. I'm anxious to see what he weighs and how "tall" he is now. I'm not looking forward to his second round of vaccinations, but he didn't cry for more than a minute the first time. So hopefully he'll do just as well this time. We'll see!

OK, Slow Down!

I can't believe Matthew is 15 weeks old now. 3 1/2 months - he'll be married before I know it OK, got that out of my system. I've just been very conscious lately of the fact that babies do indeed grow up. People have started saying things like, "come Christmas Matthew will be into everything," and, "next summer Matthew will be able to have an ice cream cone!" I'm looking forward to experiencing all of the stages of his life, but it makes me sad too. Thank goodness that, for now, he's still a baby!

Your baby boy, Matthew, is 15 weeks (Approximately 3.5 months) old now.
If your baby reaches for a toy, don't expect him or her to make contact the first few times - he or she is still developing his or her hand-eye coordination. Rattles and dangling toys on a bouncy seat will help develop this dexterity. Vary his or her choice of toys to stimulate his or her curiosity - he or she's most intrigued by multi-textured toys, bright primary colors, and things that make sounds.
Your baby will still suck on his or her hands for comfort and to help him or her cope with stress until his or her motor skills improve and he or she can manipulate other items into his or her mouth. Just expect everything your baby picks up (and soon, his or her feet) to go straight into his or her mouth for the next several months.
Although your baby's neck muscles have gained an impressive amount of strength in just a few short months, you may notice his or her neck still wobbles a bit, especially if you pull him or her from a lying position into a sitting position. Continue to support his or her neck when necessary.

Yes, Matthew has started to put things into his mouth. I was actually suprised to see him do it the first time - since I work full time, I don't get to observe him as much as I'd like. So when this past weekend I saw him grab ahold of one of his toys and shove it (a bit akwardly) into his mouth, I looked at my husband and go, "he just put that in his mouth!" And my husband, stay at home dad that he is, was just like, "yeah?" So obviously it had happened before. We're going to have to start being very careful - once he figures out how to move, anything and everything will go into his mouth. Yikes!

14 Weeks Already?!

First of all, I'd just like to say R.I.P. Steve! I was sooo sad when I heard that the Crocodile Hunter had been killed. I hadn't watched his show in at least a couple years, but I really liked him. Dragged my husband to see his movie when it was in the theater even. Not many people saw that movie, I don't think :o) He was a little reckless and crazy, but his heart was in the right place. He loved wildlife and, more importantly, he loved his family. I feel so badly for his wife and 2 children. How difficult to lose your husband or father in such an abrupt and brutal manner. My heart goes out to them.

Now that I have that out of my system...Matthew is 14 weeks old today. And here's what the newletter says:

Your baby boy, Matthew, is 14 weeks (Approximately 3.3 months) old now.
Many studies have shown that a stimulating environment accustoms children to change and helps their senses develop more quickly. Playing developmental games with your baby - even at this age - can provide just such an environment. These activities also provide a unique opportunity to interact with your baby and encourage a love of learning. Try sewing a small bell onto a band and put it on his or her wrist or ankle. He or she will begin to understand that it makes a sound when he or she moves, helping him or her develop body awareness and hand-eye coordination. However, be sensitive to signs that he or she is over stimulated and needs a break. As they say, everything in moderation.
Your baby may be able to push up on his or her arms by now, but don't get too excited, this is only half of the equation needed to start crawling. He or she also needs to develop his or her balance and leg coordination. However, if your baby can move his or her upper body with his or her arms, he or she might soon figure out how to drag themselves around.
Your little one will continue experimenting with his or her voice and is probably developing quite the "vocabulary" lately. He or she may be making vowel sounds like "ooh" and "aah" and has learned that he or she can change the sound simply by changing the shape of his or her mouth.
Your baby is probably opening his or her hands more and may start bringing them together in clapping motions as his or her hand-eye coordination improves. He or she has probably started batting at objects in an attempt to reach out for them. Help him or her develop this coordination by holding out a toy to see if he or she will grasp it.

Matthew is quite the little talker these days. Mostly vowel sounds - he does occasionally make an "m" or hard "g" sound, although I suspect it's still totally by accident. I left him with his daddy for a couple minutes while I went to the bathroom yesterday, and he started crying. He was crying away and all of a sudden he goes, "maaaaaaa!" 'Bout broke my heart! Sounded just like he was crying for his mommy - glad it was just a coincidence. I don't know how I'm going to bear it when he actually does cry for me! Probably jump off the potty with my pants around my ankles :o) hehe OK, probably not. He is also getting better and better at grasping. He still can't really grab things that he reaches for, but if you put something small enough for him to grasp right up to his hand, more often than not he'll open up his fingers and take hold. Just a few weeks ago you still had to pry open his fingers and place an object in his hand before he could grasp it. So he's improving :o) For every milestone, though, there's a throwback to days of "old." Yesterday I was feeding him and he pooped. Not an unusual occurence, but the diaper just didn't hold like it's supposed to - poop ran all down his leg, onto me and onto the chair. Used to happen all the time when he was smaller (diapers just don't fit the way they're supposed to until baby thighs fill out a bit), but it hadn't happend for a few weeks. So while he's getting bigger everyday, I still very much have a little baby on my hands. For better or for worse :o) Well, better get going. Talk to you all later!