Papi Noises

Just had to post this...

Almost 5 months!

Carter turns 5 months next week!  It's hard to believe the little guy has been in our lives that long (I KNOW - everyone warned us it was going to go by so fast.  Yes, yes, you were right.)

Stuff the pediatrician says Carter should be doing at this point:

• Be active, playful and gregarious.  Check.

• Rolls from side to side.  Not even close.  He's not such a fan of being on his tummy, so he's not motivated.
• Holds up chest when lying on tummy.  Sorta.

• Supports head when held in sitting position.  Check.
• Sits with support for longer periods.  Check.

• Kicks up a storm. Check.

• Reaches and grasps some objects. Check.

• Shakes rattle when placed in hand.  Check.
• Puts everything into mouth.  Not so much - he doesn't seem to like the taste of anything except milk.
• Turns head purposefully in response to human voice.  Yeah - it's pretty funny when he forgets someone is sitting next to him, and then he'll be surprised at their voice.
• Just begins to realize objects exist even when out of sight.  Maybe - it's hard to tell, but he is starting to laugh when I throw a blanket over his head.
• Focuses clearly.  Hello Feet!
• Acknowledges bottle gleefully.  I don't really know, but he's started to not nurse very well because he gets a bottle at daycare.  It's kind of a problem actually - anyone know how to re-teach a baby to nurse?
• Fascinated with mirror image.  Check.
• Is intensely absorbed in what is going on.  Check.  Double-check.

• Smiles and coos when talked to.  Check.

• Laughs and giggles while playing and socializing.  Check.  He's started to whoop and yip.  OK, sometimes he sounds like a small dog.
• Plays contentedly with fingers and hands.  I think he's over that already.
• Carefully studies objects placed in hand.  Check.
• Usually sleeps through the night.  This is the thing I am most grateful about - 9p to 6a almost every night since 2 months.  He's a sweet boy.
• Basks in attention.  Demanding really.

So I guess he's developmentally caught up from being 5 weeks early.  Growth wise: have you seen his cheeks?!?!?!

Sunday Morning Bliss

Waffles and coffee were quickly followed by a super cuddle nap.

So nice...

QT!

January and February brought lots of bonding time with friends and family!  We got to spend some time with:

The Ponti and Saga

Auntie Petra

Grand Marni

Grand Gram

Granddad

Aunt Jenn

Family and friend visits are great - it gives us a break from what seems like constant care for Carter.  When Gram and Grandad were here, we got a nice long run and a date night - luxuries these days.

We started day care with a temporary provider last week so I could go back to work part time, and therefore Carter has contracted his first cold.  He's been coughing and gurgling A LOT over the last week, but hasn't had a fever or been fussier and I'm thinking we've been lucky in surviving our first illness!

Today we accomplished our first stroller/dog long run on the Cross Island Trail - a nice (flat!) 5 mile trail across Kent Island (across the bay from us).  Carter did awesome - he was gorked as soon as we started running and stayed that way for the whole run (approx 1.25 hours!).  I hope he'll continue to tolerate the weekly long runs (we stopped them last spring when it was too. fracking. hot. to even think about running while I was pregnant).

In development news: Carter had his 4 month (!) check-up yesterday and Doc said he's doing just fine.  (Check the graph at the bottom of the blog for weight update - 15lbs 7oz.)  The video from the last post showed his verbal skills, but he's also started bringing his hands together more, he'll grab my fingers, and he's been a mad hand-sucker for the past few weeks.  When we were out to dinner the other night with Gram and Granddad, we discovered that Carter loves to wave paper napkins around and eat them a little.  I'm so glad he's into the cheap toys.  :)   I'll work on getting some more videos together since it was so popular...  Thanks for all your emails and comments!