Dear Adriana,
It’s been a while since I wrote you a letter – actually since I was pregnant with you in my belly! But can you blame me though? We’ve been busy exploring your new world and having fun! I am still keeping up with your one line a day book, but it’s so hard to remember to fill it out each day. If I can do it for a year it will be a miracle!
As I write this letter you are currently napping in your big girl crib! Your dad and I just started putting you down for naps in your crib this weekend (you previously napped in the bassinet in our bedroom), and so far you are loving your new crib. Naps are going really well in there. I was afraid that you’d be scared in your new room since we haven’t spent much time in there, but you adjusted to it quickly and actually seem to enjoy your new roomy mattress. You must know that your sweet Mimi bought it for you. At 4 months old, you have almost outgrown the bassinet in our bedroom. My goodness will I ever miss having you sleep in our room with us. Cosleeping has been one of my best memories and I would do it again in a heartbeat, but there comes a time when you need some independence too. We will probably have to transition you to the crib within a month as you’ll be grown out of your bassinet.
Speaking of growing, last week you doubled your birth weight! I am a proud mommy. When we first started out breastfeeding, I wondered if I had enough milk to sustain you because when I tried to pump I would only get 2-3 ounces from one side (which I now know is just fine). But seeing your weight increase over the weeks has reassured me that you are getting more than enough milk. Our doctor said that breast pumps aren’t as efficient as babies anyway, so even though I don’t have a ton of milk stored in the freezer I am grateful you are getting exactly what you need. Your favourite thing to do when you nurse is pop off the nipple and look up at me with wide eyes and a big grin. It’s so funny. You always do this if I start talking. After a good gander at your mama, you keep on nursing. You are definitely in the “Look a little, eat a little” phase. The other day I had a conference call and nursed you at the same time. We are total pros now! Boy, we have come a long way since our early struggles with breastfeeding. You still aren’t taking a bottle, but we are trying out different nipples. Oh and you don’t take pacifiers or suck your thumb either, but you do enjoy shoving your entire hand in your mouth and gnawing away on it! I think your gums are bothering you a ton and your poor hands are now chapped from chewing them so much. You soak many bibs each day from drooling. Another early teething symptom you have lately is pulling at your ears.
Lately, you are loving when we sing and dance for you – especially when I sing and gesture the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” song! I do it about 10 times per day. When I get to the part where I say “down came the rain and washed the spider out” I do a washing motion across your belly (whatever that is!) and you always laugh. You also love doing the happy baby pose (grabbing your feet and rocking side to side – see your 4 month photos above!) and you love being tickled under your chin which makes you howl with laughter. Rolling from your back to your side is your newest thing and I would say any day now you are going to fully roll from back to tummy. Once in a while you roll from your tummy to your back too. It won’t be long before you are doing it like a pro! Another thing you love to do is what your dad and I call “body slams” – raising your legs in the air and slamming them down on the ground! Who teaches you this stuff, anyway? hah.
We have been consistently putting you down for bed between 7 and 8pm this past month. The most challenging part of the past few weeks has been the 4 month sleep regression. It seems like you are a textbook case! Your naps have been like a New York minute and overnight you are waking up as much as you did when you were a newborn (if not more!). We’re getting by though and I know this phase won’t last. As tired as I am, I love those snugly moments together more than anything. You are so peaceful and calm when you are sleepy, all nestled up to me with your hand on my chest. Nothing is better. Four months have already gone by just like that, and like always, I want to slow down time…I love you so much.
Squeezing in as many kisses, smiles, and snuggles as I can,
Mama. xo