James: Four Months!

James has officially left the newborn stage and entered the full-out baby stage. The days of being terrified to taking two kids out in public by myself is gone. The nights of getting any quality sleep are looong gone. (I really cannot remember the last time I got a full nights rest was- I'm thinking summer 2012- When I found out I was pregnant with Zach). I can no longer just put James anywhere, knowing that he will be in the same spot when I get back. We have officially jumped in to life with two kids and loving it [most of the time]!

This past month has been a very busy month for James. I finally got over my fear of going out in public with the two boys by myself. We started with baby steps. First going on a walk, both boys strapped in and did not get out ;) Then on a walk to the park, letting Zach down to play and run. Then small errands to stores. Usually two stops is my max because it is exhausting getting two kids in and out of the car. Then, I was adventurous and did the big task by myself- grocery shopping. After I was done grocery shopping, I felt like I had won a war. Not because the boys were bad, they both were very calm and well behaved, but because I felt like I had to be one step ahead of the game the entire time, making sure meltdowns were avoided. Just when I got use to being out by myself with them, we went back down to one car. One of Justin's co-workers was letting us borrow his car the past few months. Now that I am without a car during the day, and nicer weather has arrived, we take many weekly walks to the park.

James had a very eventful month. He celebrated Resurrection Sunday, his Pa and Nana moved to the same state as him and now live 30 minutes away! He has had the opportunity to spend a lot more time with them and be babysat by Nana :) He celebrated his big brother's 2nd birthday. Celebrated Aunt Jen's birthday by taking his first road trip and overnight trip to Florida. He did very well with the 7 1/2 hour drive each way. I bought a sun- shade tent for the beach which he loved being in. He did not really like being out by the water because it was way too windy. Celebrated his brother's birthday again with his birthday party. Took another road trip to Greenville, SC for the Duck Derby (which might become a family tradition!). 

Eat
James is still nursing about every 3- 3 1/2 hours, although I am going to start to stretch it out and have him go every 3 1/2- 4 hours. He got a cold during this month, which decreased his appetite, and then he also seems to get very distracted while eating. I feel like he is making up for not getting as many calories in during the day at night time and has been waking up more at night to eat. We have tried giving him a bottle several times this month and he is not taking it :( He seems to want it, but just doesn't really know how to suck the nipple on the bottle. I have tried two different bottles with no results. If you have any suggestions, let me know! I have a large supply of milk frozen just waiting to be used so that I can go out for a long period of time and have a break ;)

Sleep
His sleep went downhill this past month. I think there are several things causing this. First, I think he hit the dreaded 4 month sleep regression and has been waking up 2 times a night. It has been brutal for me. Since I don't go to sleep until 10:30/11:00 on average, he has been waking up at 12:30, then 3:30ish and then up for the day at 7:00. I am definitely missing those longer stretches. Second, as I stated above, I think he is making up for his loss of calories at nighttime. I don't want to deprive him if he is hungry, so I have been nursing him every time he wakes up. Third, he has learned to roll from his back to his belly and I think that is also interfering with his sleep.

Naps haven't been that much better. He gets the most fussy when he is tired and he cries if I put him in the crib, he cries if I hold him. Sometimes I am able to put him to sleep in my arms, but the transfers to the crib have been unsuccessful and he wakes up a couple minutes crying. My husband keeps telling me to be more of a Type A- mom, so when I get stressed out with his naps, I just strap him in his swing and let him sleep there. How is that for A-? His sleep is definitely the number one thing that I will talk to the pediatrician to at his appointment.

James is now sleeping in his crib in the nursery! His first night was April 27th. We had planned on moving him over earlier, but we had a beach trip and then he got a cold, and I wanted him to be close to me at night so I could listen to his breathing and make sure he was alright. But now, he is officially transferred and we have our bedroom back. 

Play
James is one active little boy! This past month, he learned to roll from his back to his belly, making him able to roll over both ways. He will roll all the way across the floor, which means I really have to keep on eye on him. I've had to stop him from rolling into the fireplace, bookshelf, wall and Zach's toys many times. He loves his playmat and will spend a lot of time batting and kicking at the objects. He is also entering the 'grabby' stage and likes to grab things in front of him: paper, toys, my hair. He also found his feet and will lay on his back and grab his feet for a while.

He is a very social baby and loves to be around people. His older brother still remains one of his favorite people. He likes being bounced in the bouncer by Zach, laying next to him on his playmat and watching his older brother play. James is quite a little chatterbox, especially when he is one-on-one with you and has your undivided attention.

With nicer weather this past month, we have been going on walks to the park and spending more time outside. James seems to like the outdoors, watching the leaves move in the wind. He is taking a lot more interest in toys and will have at least two toys accompany time in the car or when we are out. 

Likes: Big brother, play mat, bath time, talking, people, being outside, rolling over, talking
Dislikes: Being sleepy, being in his carseat for a long time

Size: 
Weight: 17 lbs. 13.5 oz. [92nd percentile]- officially passed his brother up what he weighed when he was 4 months!
Height: 26 3/4 inches [94th percentile]
Diapers: Size 2- we may need to move up to size 3, he has been leaking through his pj's a lot more at nighttime.
Clothing: 6 month, 6-9 month. I may need to switch him to 9 month pj's soon, the 6 month are getting pretty tight.
Nicknames: Jamesy, Jamesy boy, Love Bug, Orange Slice (given by his dad because when he smiles the shape of his mouth is a perfect orange slice candy).

Milestones: 
Rolled from back to belly [4.22.15]
First night in crib [4.27.15]
Roll across the floor
Grab objects
Giggle/ Laugh
Sit in bumbo

A Note from Mom:
James, although this last month has been a little difficult in the sleep department and your mommy is tired, your sweet little personality, smile and laugh totally make up for it. You had a very busy month, my boy, with lots of activities and celebrations. I really enjoyed the quality one-on-one time that I spent with you when your experienced the beach for the first time. At only 4 months too! Your brother had to wait until he was 11 months old before he went to the beach ;) You continue to have such a fun and loving relationship with your brother. When he wakes up in the morning or is busy doing one of his 1,000 activities during the day and you are napping, he always asks for you and I have to remind him that you are sleeping. You love your brother too. You light up and smile when he is around. You are a curious little boy who looks at everything and is really soaking in and learning about the big world around you. You are very easy going and just go with the flow with what our family is doing. I love you very much, James.

Four Month Pictures