Passed the 20 Week Mark......

As we pass the 20 weeks point, and enter the 5th month mark on February 9th, we are celebrating many milestones and changes in your life, Griffin. I am always a bit confused if we are supposed to count your life in terms of weeks, or by the calendar date? In any case, your fourth month was a big one. I would say it was the period of the most growth and development for you.

You also had some changes happen, big changes. And you handled them all reasonably well. Here is a summary of the past month.

- We moved you to your big boy room. I am still sleeping in there (as it is easier to hear you for the night feedings), but I don't think you know I am in there. So far, you have adjusted to your room.
- You tried solids (rice cereal) for the first time. You seem to love eating off a spoon, but I don't think you like the taste of rice cereal. We will graduate to something tastier in a few weeks.
- You rolled over! You have been attempting this since your third month of life, and we can tell that you are mighty proud of yourself for finally being able to roll over. We are so proud too! We can now see you working on your next project......crawling. You are already sticking your bum up in the air, on your knees and trying to move forward. For now, you have mastered the art of doing the 'worm' and inching your way along.
- I don't know when your first tooth will come in, but you are in teething mode now. It must be extremely uncomfortable, but aside for a few bad days, you are handling it well.
- You grasp anything and everything. You also want to put everything in your mouth.
- You are extremely curious about the world now and stare at everything with wide eyes. Everything fascinates you- from the textures of our pillows, to the people on the street.
- You have discovered (and mastered) the art of shrieking. There are three decibels: loud (when you are delighted), louder (when you want our attention), and loudest (when you are annoyed or frustrated). I always said I would never have a shrieking baby, but I am beginning to think that all babies do this.
- You can never sit still for any long period of time. You are constantly trying to squirm out of our arms and contort yourself in the most creative positions.
- Your antics make us laugh every single day. Your newest thing- when you are waiting for us to come into your room after you call out, you have turned yourself completely around in the crib, and are peering at us through the bars.
- You get extremely excited when we read to you before bed. Every night, the three of us lie down together in our bed, while Daddy reads you a book or two. I think you love this time as much as we do.
- You babble constantly when we are at home, but whenever we are out in public, you are as quiet as can be. We think you are going to be a shy little bug.
- You love toys that spin, and you love your Exersaucer. We bought you a Jolly Jumper the other day, but you don't seem to enjoy that as much as the Exersaucer. I guess you won't be joining the circus anytime soon then.
- Your love for us is apparent now. You turn to me for comfort, and your father for fun and laughter. You think your dad is the funniest guy in the world, and he has the ability to make you laugh in a way that I never can. You have the most wonderful laugh in the world.

Happy five months (almost) of life, my beautiful, bouncing baby boy. We are really starting to notice all of your little boy qualities now, and I am completely tickled and charmed by you.