4 months old!

Yesterday, you turned 4 months old. A milestone we've been anxiously anticipating!

You do all sorts of fun things these days!

Here's what you can do:

- Reach and grasp for toys, faces, shirts, books...anything within reach. As soon as it's in your hands, you want it in your mouth!

-Jabber and squeal (although, you go through talking/silent phases)

- Bring your hands together

-Stand up on our laps (you love this!)

-Sit up with support and hold your head steady

-Your favorite game is to grab your toes

-Smile really big! No laughs yet...

-Turn your head to sounds and voices (you recognize your daddy's voice from across the room!)

-Roll from front to back...although you don't like being on your tummy at all...

-Sleep through the night! and napping 2-3 times a day (but you fight them so much!)

-You're wearing 6 month clothes, but some are still a little too big. They fit in the waist and hips, but they're too long and too big for your chest and shoulders.

We went to Collen's 4 month check up today. Our first 4 month check up out of our two boys. This time, I didn't know what to expect. I couldn't anticipate the instructions the doctor might give. It's all brand new now. We asked the doctor about checking Collen's serotonin levels in light of the recent study and correlation between low serotonin and SIDS. She didn't feel that the study was concrete enough to warrant serotonin testing since it may/may not give us false reassurance. She did, however, order an EKG to check Collen's heart since heart issues can also be related to SIDS (since the sudden stopping of the heart is a factor). She also referred us to a Pediatric Neurologist who is knowledgeable on SIDS studies so we can speak with her, discuss concerns, and possibly discuss some metabolic testing. I was so impressed with her willingness to just listen and show so much compassion. She's the first one who really seemed to be listening to me and understanding our concerns. She was so great with Collen, too (once we very kindly corrected her and told her he was in fact a BOY...). She let him hold her finger as she talked and he seemed so enthralled with everything she was doing....until the shots came. He did great with those, though. Only cried when she gave them to him; once she picked him up and handed him to me, he was smiling at her. He has grown quite a bit, but he's leveling out as far as percentages go.

Collen's Four Month Stats:

Weight: 16lbs 10oz (75th %)

Length: 25 3/8 inches (75th %)

Head Circumference: 44cm (90th %)

He has a shorter stature than Ayden and a bigger head than Ayden. I think he's taking after me as far as length and body type goes (except those legs....those are his daddy's legs!). He has tiny little feet, and he's quite chunky....definitely takes after me. Jeremy and I aren't the skinniest of people, so Collen's destined to have some meat on his bones! :)

All in all, we were so grateful to be at the 4 month checkup. It has been exciting to see what 4 month olds do. We try not to dwell on everything we missed out on with Ayden because our time with Ayden...as short as it was...was perfect. Thinking about everything we missed would mean a lifetime of "if onlys" and that's just not how we choose to do things. Ayden certainly wouldn't want that. We are enjoying every minute with Collen and loving watching him learn and do so many fun, new things!

Here are some more pictures from his monthly photo session - I consider these the bloopers. :) He's a funny boy...

And this one's just for fun...because who can resist that smile??