Sam's 4 month stats

I took Sam for his 4 month check-up on August 8th.  He screamed the whole way there and cried the entire time in the waiting room.  But as soon as the doctor walked in and started examining him, he was all laughter and smiles.  Little stinker.  His stats are as follows:

Height: 27 1/4 in (99.2%)
Weight: 19 lbs 15 oz (98.62%)
FOC: 17 in (87.97%)

For comparison purposes, here are Ellie's and Jack's measurements from their 4 month appointments:

Ellie-
Height: 24 1.2 inches (75%)
Weight: 15lb, 7oz  (90%)

Jack-
Height: 26 ¼ in. (90%)
Weight: 18lbs 5 oz (97%)
FOC (head): 43.8 cm. (90%)

Looks like Sam is the winner!

To grandmother's house we go

It is 10:45 at night and it has hit me that I only have one more week left of summer before I return to work.  Even though I actually had 5 months off because of the whole maternity leave thing, it still feels like summer went by much too fast.  I always have a difficult time leaving my kids when it is time to return to work and it is made especially difficult when one of them is just a poor, defenseless baby.  This will be the first time, though, that I will not be putting the kids in daycare.  A really great lady from church will be watching Sam and Jack, and she will take Jack to preschool 3 days a week.  I feel much better leaving Sam with her than dropping him off with all the other babies in the daycare room at Montessori.

Um, I actually meant to write this post about going to my parents' house last week (hence the title).  I have baby brain these days. Anyway, Brooks (the shoe company) invited Tom up to Seattle for several days as part of some coaching awards thing, so I took the kids and escaped to my parents' house.  Whilst there, I introduced Sam to his first taste of rice cereal and also took him swimming for the first time (not counting all those times I dipped his feet in Rosie's pool).

Why, yes, the pool is green

Sam loved the food and the water.  My sister and her kids joined us for the latter half of our visit and we were able to celebrate my dad's 64th birthday.  Good times.

Happy birthday, old man

Dear Sam at 4 months

Dear Sam,

Once again I am late with your letter.  You are still keeping me busy, but not as much as last month.  You like to play on the floor and will roll over from your front to back. Of course, you aren't too thrilled when you do it.

You love to be talked to and will respond with the most adorable cooing noises. You are also great at complaining loudly.  It sounds like you are chewing us out for our failure to meet your every need. My favorite milestone this month is your laughter.  Your adorable little chuckle is impossible to resist.

We just started putting you in your crib at night and you have been doing great!  You will only wake once during the night to nurse and occasionally another time for a pacifier insert.  I can't wait until you learn how to do that yourself. 

You still aren't very interested in toys, but are getting better at batting at them with your clumsy hands.  You also like to play in your exersaucer for short period of times.  Basically, you like everything for short periods so our day is spent moving you from one location to another.  You favorite location, of course, is my lap.

You are bigger than ever and everyone who sees you comments on your size.  You are now in 9-12 month clothing.  I am excited to take you in for your 4 month appointment in a few days to get your official weight.  Today I let you try rice cereal for the first time and you loved it! 

Sam, I am returning to work in a couple of weeks and just thinking about it makes me sad.  You are growing and changing every day and I don't want to miss a single moment, especially since you are my last baby.  I am so thankful we have been able to have these past 4 months together.  I love you, my little Sambo.

Love,
Mama