Four Months

 

Hello from month four! We are solidly out of the "newborn" phase and into baby life. 

Likes: 
Food! All the food. All the time.
Watching Frankie and smiling at her
Kisses and tickles on her belly and chin
Her bumblebee toy on her playmat
Eating her hands

Dislikes:

Being gassy

The car seat for more than a few minutes

Being put down somewhere that she can't see someone

Not being able to suck her thumb 

Schedule:

Slowly, slowly, we are getting ourselves together. I started my new job this month, Daniel is on paternity leave, and Lark started with her Nanny (Mari). Weekends are still the wild wild west as Frankie transitions out of naps completely, but week days are getting more routine. Up at 6 (or earlier, depending on which parent was up with Lark), out the door at 7:30. Frankie drop off, Lark drop off. Home for work day. Pick up Lark at 4:15, Frankie at 4:30, Dinner, snuggles, and bedtime for both girls at 8. An episode of whatever we are watching before we both pass out. Lark is usually up around 2 or 3 to eat, so I try hard not to stay up late. Having Daniel take some night feedings while he on leave has been life-changing for my brain. Momma needs sleep.

Features:

She's just so BIG! At last check, she was 13 lbs 14 oz when I got on the scale with her. I'm not sure how long she is. She's solidly in size 2 diapers and even some of her 3-6 month PJs are a little tight on her. Thigh rolls for days, and the cutest second chin. She's got such lovely round cheeks and dimples and smiles a bit more now than she had been. She is still much more of an observer though. We call her the warthog because she is constantly snorting or snuffling. She hasn't made a lot of sounds other than that (or crying when hungry!). Her eyes are mid transition right now between the gray and the green and the brown. That fuzzy hair is the death of me and still hasn't fallen out. She could be a baby eyebrow model. She really is just the most perfect girl. I cant believe I made such a beautiful baby!

Milestones:

-Sleeping in her crib 

-Giggles (at dad)

-Sleeping for 5-6 hour stretches and she slept through the night a few times!

-Up on forearms during tummy time, able to move head in all directions

-Interactive "conversation" with others. She tries hard to speak/communicate with her Gigi Frances when she's holding her and with Frankie when Frankie is playing with her.

-6 oz bottles with the occasional 8 oz when she's super hungry.

Firsts:

-Ride on Pop Pop's new boat

-Easter and meeting the Easter Bunny

-Trip to a farm 

-Sleeping in crib

-Week with nanny

Challenges:

Honestly, the challenges this month have been my own and not Lark's. Learning a new job while very sleep deprived and weaning is rough. I started my first period postpartum. I also started some physical therapy for diastasis recti. I'm just tired and kind of depressed and feel that funk that there is no time for myself or for healing. This month feels a lot like mommas are expected to have everything kind of figured out and back together because the "fourth trimester" has ended and let me tell you, that just hasn't been the case. Learning how to do life with two kids had been a little easier than I expected, but all the added stressors are not.

As far as Lark herself is concerned, she is a sweet and easy girl. Just make sure you don't ignore her when she wants to be spoken to/held and she is happy. She doesn't mind many of the things her sister did- outfit changes, diaper changes, waiting for food... she's mostly content until the car seat enters the picture.

Thoughts: 

Lark is just seriously the BEST. My kids are incredible. Frankie is growing and changing so much and is constantly asking to help me do things around the house and with Lark. Lark is so observant and smiley and sweet. I can tell she can't wait to play along with her sister. We had the first full weekend of 70 degree weather this month, too, and it was nothing but playtime and fun for all of us. I'm picturing weekends like this for the rest of their childhood and looking forward to them playing together outside for hours in our woods. This little slice of parenthood is hard, but its fleeting. Learning life with these two girls is challenging, but also so awesome. It gets easier and more fun all the time.