@ 121.75 Days Old

Zane at approx. 3.5 months

Today marks 4 months since Zane graced us with his arrival. He's doing really well. He's still very eager, in learning, growing and eating. He tries moving his body in ways his body can't support yet, like lunging over, out and up at things he wants to grab. He loves sitting in his Bumbo seat and playing with his spinning toy. He can be strong and rough, grabbing and pulling on things with all of his might while crossing his eyes from concentrating so hard on the task. He still shares tons of smiles and lots of laughter. When on the floor, he grabs onto carpet threads to pull himself and move.

He eats a ton. We'll be thinking about introducing cereal soon, which I'm in denial about. Introducing cereal might help us make it through the night a bit longer. A couple of weeks ago we went back to eating in the night -- and he's eating the entire time, so it doesn't seem to be just for comfort. Although he eats a ton, I consider him lean, except for in his thighs, which makes me feel like I'm NOT doing my job, like the kid has to resemble the Michelin Man to be considered healthy and well fed. (It's interesting that I feel this way when I hear other moms talk at playgroups and community activities about their concern over plump babies becoming obese. I fully believe this is the time for anyone to be fat. I'm a believer that as long as it's not comfort eating, the normal kid knows how much they need -- let them be fat for now and take in all the nutrients they need for brain development. Then when introducing foods, I'll become a little more concerned about combating obesity early. I'll miss those leg rolls all too soon.) While eating though, he likes to play with my face, grabbing my nose and lips while gulping away.

He loves his sister. Yesterday he had some alone time with Mommy and Daddy while his big sis spent the afternoon playing with Grandma and Grandpa and Cousin Tucker. It's been a while since he's been without her bouncing energy nearby. And the last time he was too young to notice the difference. Yesterday there were a couple of moments where one could tell he was wondering where she was at -- he kept looking around, like the house was almost too quiet. It was amazing, too, to see how much less talking he did without her here, like he didn't feel the need to compete. Sometimes Zane talks louder and louder to be heard over his sister. Sometimes were all talking at once, each of us vying to be heard. We feel certain he'll hold his own really well. I love to see him tug and pull on his sister and smile really big when she enters his view.

Aside from in the middle of the night right now, his eating and napping are pretty predictable. I'm amazed he can sleep so well with tons of noise around him. My brother began remodeling our bathroom last week and Zane was able to sleep through most of the loud pounding and moving of things.

He played in the exersaucer for his first time yesterday. We decided it would be best to introduce him to it while his sister was absent -- that way he could get the full effect. :) He loved it!!!!

 

 

 

Thanks for making me look so darn cute, Grandma!

 

Then Vanessa came home and was consumed by it. This morning she came downstairs before the rest of us and figured out how to get in and out of it all on her own. As I type and Zane naps, she's playing in it. Good thing the girl only weighs between 32 and 34 pounds . . . and her knees touch the floor! Later she sat in it with a mug of water, like she was working at an office desk. She talked about getting back to work on a couple of occasions. :) Check out Vanessa's first time in the exersaucer here: Boy, how she's grown . . . but poised just the same . . .