A Letter to My 4-Month-Old

Dear Victor Albert,

How amazing that you have been with us now for a third of a year. Looking back through lots of old pictures, your daddy and I were remembering how you used to be just a perfect little armful... and now you fill both arms, for sure!

These past few weeks have brought lots of changes in you.

- You're eating much quicker now, most times. During the day it's down to about 8 min, though you'll still give me a good 45 min feeding (when you're all relaxed for bed).

- You just love people! That's not new, but it is confirmed over and over. You may fuss the whole way to church, but normally you'll beam and giggle as soon as smiling faces come to visit you.

- You can spot Mommy and Daddy... and even in your little backseat mirror, you'll give us a huge grin.

- Your schedule is in the midst of change, from one huge nap in the middle of the day to a morning and mid-day nap, and a little one before dinner. We're still trying to finesse the rhythm (our nights have regressed somewhat...), but you've been doing really great with the new daytime routine.

- You've done very well with your babysitters to date (per the "loving people" post above). You've been taking a bottle very well, so long as we have it warmed up enough. And we always come home wanting to snuggle you and loving you more than ever.

- You still spit up plenty. This causes some consternation when you spit up all over Grammy, all over the new church carpet while visiting Auntie Lori, all over your sleeper, all over Momma right before church, and so forth. But if a little extra laundry is the worst we encounter, we have nothing to complain about, huh! You don't seem to be uncomfortable anymore, and there are some signs that it's getting a little less frequent. The day will come when your tummy is ready to keep all that milk in (and until then, Momma will just enjoy being Trudy-the-dog's favorite milk-scented friend).

- You are just starting to notice toys. You'll grab the ball suspended over your pack-n-play and put just about anything in your mouth. It's amazing to see you absorbing all that you see around you!

- Though tummy-time still is not a favorite, you are getting so much stronger! You can push yourself up on your arms and hold your head up, and we've thought you were going to roll over sometimes... but not yet!

- Grammy has an excersaucer that is so much fun! With a towel behind you for extra support, you just beam to swing around and be upright, seeing the world.

We went for a huge roadtrip over your 4-month mark, down to Iowa and then to Indiana. What a fun time, seeing family and visiting Auntie Lori's new home.

You did a good job, although we scrambled your schedule pretty well. And it was sooo many hours in the car--we hope never to get in the carseat ever again. And least not before tomorrow morning (when we have your 4-month check-up).

Still such a special time, and it made us look forward to more times making memories as a family down the road.

May the Lord Jesus continue to help you grow and give you understanding of the world around you, and most of all come to know and love Him.

We love you, big boy!