Kelly in NC

Gage,
Are you already 4 months old? How can that be? This month has passed faster than all the rest. Most likely because I returned to work this month, making the days and weeks speed by. With my return to work, you began your first days at daycare. I cried when I dropped you off. Not because I was worried about you, but because as my second born- I now know how quickly you are going to grow up. I often look at you big brother and wonder where all the time has gone. Now, I watch it quickly ticking by with you too.
You have changed so much since your birth 122 days ago. You weighed 14 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 24.24 inches long ( I do not think this is accurate) at you 4 month check up. Your tiny, boney feet have now grown larger, complete with little sausage toes, the pinkies of which still curl to the side. Your thin, old man legs now have filled out with their very own distinct, chubby rolls. You have a pot belly and rubber banded wrists, man boobies and the most pinch-able cheeks. You have officially turned into a sweet, huggable, squeezable, tickley baby. And did I mention how adorable we think you are? Your face brightens with the most amazing smiles. Real smiles too- the kind that light up your eyes and draw in complete strangers. You have learned how to grasp the attention of those around you by flashing them that fantastic smile or by letting out one of your precious belly laughs. Speaking of laughs, Daddy and I have now discovered all of your ticklish spots- under your chin, on your ribs, under your arms, and at your hips. One soft touch to any of these places can instantly send you on a laughing spree. And I must admit, we send you down that path a lot! We love to hear your laugh and see you look so happy. If only we could keep up this trick for the rest of your life. Will it always be this easy to make you laugh and smile?
In other developments this month, you are now able to:
~reach for and grasp a small toy
~keep your head level with your body when pulled to sitting position
~turn toward a voice
~make ooo & ahh sounds
~chew on your hands
~roll over- from back to stomach (you are still working on the other direction)
~bear all your weight on your legs when held upright
~on stomach, raise chest, supported by arms,
~smile back when smiled at
~smile at yourself in the mirror
~pay attention to TV
Yes, dear, sweet Gage, you continue to get bigger everyday and I am so excited to see the little parts of your personality begin to emerge like hidden pieces of a puzzle. There have been many nights in the past month that I have held and snuggled with you- stealing private moments that are just the two of us. I love to feel you sleeping in the crook of my arm, watching your eye lids flutter and your lips pucker as you dream. I try to memorize how your delicate eye lashes rest on the still translucent skin under your eyes and how soft and spongey your scalp still feels under my fingers. I know that soon these little baby features will fade away too. I am trying my best to capure all of these sweet memories before they are gone forever. Gage, you continue to surprise me with how easily you have joined our family and with how deeply we love you. Already, you are an amazing little boy.
I love you more and more each day,
Love,
Mommy
Click on the photo above for other pictures from the past month.