stella

you have become quite fond of your puppy, stella. in fact, stella deserves credit for your first belly laugh. in an attempt to get your 'grumps' out one night, dad took you outside and stella happily followed. he sat you down against his legs on the back patio and threw the ball out to stella. every time she came back with the ball, you laughed. hard. we had never heard you laugh that hard before! we've never had to work too hard to get you to smile at us, and you often smile for no reason at all. but getting you to have a good laugh has taken much more effort. you continue to watch her and often look for her when you can hear her coming. we're hoping she returns  all this love and adoration.

(she also loves the boppy and uses it much more than you and i do).

what i'm loving these days

how you smile so easily.

how you try to get our attention by making loud noises.

how when we come near you, you show your excitement by making spastic movements with your arms and legs.

your alertness. dad says you're just like mom ... you don't want to miss out on anything.

4 months old

today you turned 4 months old. i can't believe how time flies. everyone warns you stinkers grow up fast but i had no idea how right they were. you went to the doctor today for your 4-month check-up. you weighed in at a whopping 11 pounds, are 24 inches in length and have a head circumference of 16 inches. as always, you were pretty dang good for the doctor (who calls you "sydster") and took your 4 shots to the legs like a champ. here are a few things about you at 4 months ...

you're a very content and happy baby. rarely fussy for no reason.

good sleeper. take a couple good naps during the day and 9-10 hours at night. yet another reason for your dad and i to love you.

tell the greatest stories in your own little language.

have giggled for us a few times. you smile very easily but make us work a little harder for a laugh.

recognize your mom and dad and always welcome dad home from work with a big smile. he loves it.

while you can't roll over quite yet, you're very good at the side-to-side motion and squirm all over the place. leaving you alone on beds, couches etc. is no longer an option.

constantly get compliments on how cute you are; in particular people notice your skin and big blue eyes.

when excited, your big eyes get even bigger and you flail your legs.

love time spent in the stroller. content just looking at the world around you.

drooling and slobbering are a part of who you are these days. i call you a drool monster. your dad calls you a drool fool.

betcha can't do this ...

mmm ... toes in the mouth. you recently discovered your feet; more specifically your big toe. you've found that while it provides (or will provide) stabilization for standing and walking, it doubles as a great sucking mechanism. your dad is taking full credit for introducing you to your toesies. about a week ago he assisted you in full-on sucking your big (although it's itty bitty) toe, suckling noises and all. and here you are just a week later doing it all on your own. yum-a-rooni!