Sunshine, Rainbows and Bananas: Cael

Oh sweet child of mine...you are a beautiful, blue-eyed, baby boy! When did you get such a vibrant personality? It seems that overnight (every night) you grew into a person of your own. You wake up every morning excited for the day. I believe your Pop called it a "waking up with a shit eating grin, ready for the day" when it was your daddy...and you, my son, have the saaaaaame outlook on life, and I LOVE it! This month was full of more firsts: watching daddy and Uncle B coach a wrestling tournament, Valentine's day, grabbing onto everything in sight, laughing out loud, rolling, letting your little temper show, and first bath in a public sink (if we don't count the airplane over Christmas, because really, that can't even be considered a sink for goodness sake!). I finally feel like I've learned you and you have learned me (for now), and it was actually the first month I didn't refer once to any of my "what to expect" books or pamphlets. I finally have the attitude "I've got this!!" I also noticed it was the first month that when we are driving in the car alone, just you and I, and it's dark where I can't see your smiling face in the mirror...when you fall asleep I'm not constantly putting my hand on your lips (sometimes waking you up) or even {ashamed to say this} turning the car off at a red light to make sure I can hear you breathing (because you just never know!)...now I calmly drive and talk with you until you fall asleep, then I'm able to turn on the radio, sing, talk on the phone and be delightfully reassured when you sigh in your slumber, which makes me smile in relief. This month we also had the annual visit from Grandma DD and Papa D for Grandma's birthday. You were thrilled to see them, since normally when we video chat you hide from the camera and get a serious look stuck on your face. I hope someday soon you become a camera hog because even Ms. Millie tries to sneak in some pictures of you doing something cute, and then you just freeze...even if we try to hide the camera or recorder! We had fun this month too making and sending out Valentines to family. You enjoyed craft-time with mommy until your feet were covered in ink, your body in kisses, and it was bath-time at 3:00 in the afternoon. I'm sure this will be the first of many crafty days...better get used to it! I love you Caelbo, and look forward to the next month of fun!

Height: 26 inches (90th percentile)

Weight: 16 pounds, 3.5 ounces (95th percentile)

Size: You are wearing size 6 month clothing, and even some 9 month outfits. You've been in size 3 diapers for the majority of the month, but we were able to squeak out the last few of the box of size 2 (with a few blow-outs here and there!! haha)

Sleeping: Mommy and Daddy were fearful of the "Four Month Wake-Up" period that babies sometimes get, but decided to try to transition you to your crib. HA! What were we thinking? For five nights, we were up every hour or so past 2:00 a.m. to rub your head softly, put the binkey back in your mouth (which, by the way, was just hanging outside of your lips but you were too sleepy to do it yourself), and put you back to sleep. I swear we were sleep-walking through half of those nights. I thought maybe it was something else other than the crib waking you up because you have always been a good sleeper. So after five nights of diligent trying, we put you back in the bassinet in our room...you slept twelve hours straight, without a peep. haha Little stinker! So for now...we are moving the bassinet further and further out of our room until you are good for your crib.

Eating: You have set your schedule pretty well with feedings at 7/8, 11/12, 3, 6 and 8/9 (before bed time). With me, I don't know how much you are taking, but with Ms. Millie you have 5-8 ounces. I'm lucky to say you are still exclusively breastfed, and you LOVE to eat.

Playing: Springing on feet; getting used to the new toy Grandma and Papa got you when they were in town "johnny jump-up"; sitting in the bumbo and reading to friends; getting excited during story time (you are currently loving "The Monster At The End Of This Book"); tummy time (thank the Lord you don't scream for this anymore); shopping (sort of a strange thing to categorize as "playing," but truth is, you love it and are a champ at Target and the outlet mall; and noticing other babies...you see Gabriella everyday, and she LOVES you! You finally notice that she is a little human, just like you, and get excited too.

Milestones: Grabbing all of your toys, and switching them from hand-to-hand; giving kisses when we say "give me a kiss!!" you open your mouth wide and lean in (melts my heart, every time); laughing and squealing with delight; being ticklish; yelling for attention (oh yeah, this is a fun one...especially when we're in public!); chewing on everything; bridging (espeeeeecially when we are trying to put you in your car seat, this is Ms. Millie's personal favorite ;)); rolling from front-to-back and back-to-front; holding your bottle on your own, which made your momma feel so useless...you are already Mr. Independent; and pulling up to stand (you tend to think it's an automatic swift motion to go from back, to sitting, to standing (check out a video of it here: Sitting to Standing, 16 weeks)

"Caelisms": You are a little monster with your binkey! You think it's the cutest thing to pull it out, wave it in my face, before promptly tossing it six feet away! The first time you did it, I laughed. Maybe even the second time. But the 975th time, I just left it in the Target parking lot. :) What can I say? You have an excellent arm for a four-month old!! Also, mister mister, you are a total flirt! You will smile at any lady or young lady, and give the men in the room a very serious look instead. You smile after you toot, usually when you are nursing which means you have to pull off the milk to look up at me with a sense of accomplishment on your face for what you just did (and my dear...you STINK! Like, make your father leave the room, stink!) We have an ongoing battle when mommy forgets your beloved "Mr. Bear". You see, we have a substitute (very similar, but not the same) Mr. Frog. You just aren't having it! haha Your tooth is coming soon so you are droooooooling on everything and everyone. Burp cloth ready at all times! And you still suck in your sleep, which is the sweetest thing in the whole world to watch. (check out a video of it here: Sucking in sleep, 15 weeks)

Now prepare for picture overload...