Four Months

Happy four months, baby boy! 

I’ve made no secret of the fact that the first couple of months of Isaac’s life were extremely rough on me both hormonally and emotionally.  But I’m so glad to say that something really started to shift at around the three month mark, and I am absolutely in love with being this little boy’s mama! 

Isaac has always been such a sweetheart, but he has really come into his own in the past couple of months and is now an energetic and playful little guy who has stolen my heart. 

I thought I was head-over-heals with Ben before Isaac came along, but watching these two together melts my heart and turns me into mush every single day. In the past month, Isaac has started to laugh – and chuckle! – mostly with his Daddy, which takes the love to a whole new level. 

Isaac has also gotten much stronger in the past month: tummy time has made a huge difference for him [we didn’t do much of it in the first couple of months because he hated it and we felt bad] and he has started to sit up with stronger back and core muscles.

It’s also amazing to watch as he gets much more coordinated with his hands.  He’s able to control them enough to grab his toys, put his hands in his mouth, and get strands of hair and the like.

Although he still hates his car seat and swings, Isaac still loves to move – going on walks are a favorite!  He has gone on more outings this past month in hopes that he’ll get more and more used to the car seat [no luck yet].  Every weekend we watch football at my Uncle’s house, and we’ve gone on a few trips to the beach and see ‘ohana. 

Growing up, I was always at the beach with my family.  I was a dark kid, and never used sunscreen, so having a light baby makes me incredibly nervous.  I’m still trying to figure out what kind of sunscreen we need to use for him [is there such a thing as SPF 90+?], but in the meantime we’re keeping him covered and in the shade. 

[Little light Isaac with his cousin Kaiya, who is 3 weeks older than him.]

At the two month mark, I mentioned how I felt like Isaac was a high-needs baby.  I realize now how untrue that really is… and looking back I realize that he was just hungry as I was trying to figure out the breastfeeding thing.  Once he started getting enough to eat, his entire demeanor changed.  He started sleeping better, being less fussy, and his diaper output changed!  I’ve said it before, and I truly mean it: Thank god he the little guy is so resilient! 

As a family, we continue to find our new groove.  Our routine is solidifying a bit more, and it’s amazing how Ben and I have learned to function on much less sleep.  The three of us are just so in love with our family, and are having so much fun as we take this journey together. 

We had Isaac’s four month check up today and we’re excited that he’s finally on the charts for weight!  The doctor says that he’s a very strong, energetic and happy boy, and that he’s totally on track with everything, which also feels good.  Most of all, we’re just enjoying every moment together, as they seem to be flying by nowadays! 

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4-month tidbits:

• Isaac’s current favorites: his play mat [he talks with his stuffed animal friends for quite a while!], being outdoors, going on walks, his soccer and football, getting chiropractic and craniosacral adjustments, and people [he’ll happily go to just about anyone]. 
• Isaac’s current pet peeves: his car seat [still!], his Ergo infant insert [we’ve started using it without it], sitting still. 
• Firsts this month: full-on laughter and chuckles, recognizing and smiling at the people he really knows [especially Ben, my mom, and me], drool and putting anything and everything in his mouth, and an interest in everything. 
• Solids?: Ben and I were excited to learn more about the possibility of introducing solids to the babe [I can’t believe it’s already time to start thinking about this!]… I always envisioned starting solids no earlier than 6 months, but with the less-than-ideal breastfeeding situation, I was interested in discussing options.  His pediatrician says to pay attention to his cues and that he can start soon, but Ben and I feel like we want him to be a little more solid first.  The first year of life, Isaac’s main source of nutrition will be milk/formula, so introducing solids will be more about fun and trying out new textures and the like.  Still, I’m excited! 
• Eye color: still light, although they’re less blue nowadays and seem to be more hazel/green.  Regardless, they aren’t bright blue like Ben’s, nor dark brown like mine.  They say we won’t actually know the color of his eyes until he’s about 18 months old.  

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Every single day I fall more and more in love with my little family.  And although the first few weeks were rough for me, being Isaac’s Mama has truly been worth every single moment of difficulty, uncertainty, and stress.  Being able to wake up to this face every morning has been the greatest gift I have ever received:

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