Week Eighteen: with Photos..

Due to the shotty internet connection throughout the weekend, I am finally able to upload pictures. So I figured they deserved their own post.

Week Eighteen: At A Glance...

**Note: Due to poor internet connection - unable to upload pictures but will do so ASAP**

Week Eighteen - A look back at the past week (Monday, July 23rd - Sunday, July 29th)

• Still have the cold/congestion but after speaking to the doctor & nurse, it may be allergens
• Had a very good week at school
• Played with the babies at school and chatted during circle time
• Able to complete another week of school without duplicating clothes
• Recognized his foot and now likes to grab his feet
• Getting much more vocal & talks with you
• Says "oooh"
• Doesn't mind being on his tummy
• Friday & Saturday he started to put his right foot in his mouth
• Bedtime has been 7-7:30pm all week
• Usually wakes up 4:30a-5am every morning
• Four Month Check-up appt (12 lbs 15 oz; 25"; 39.4 cm head)
• Got 3rd round of shots and did very well
• Grammie came to visit on Saturday
• Finished up centerpieces with Grammie for the Christening
• Went shopping with Mommy & Grammie
• Had multiple baths loves them, getting much better at actual swimming that just moving around (Can't wait to sign him up for swimming lessons)
• Spent Sunday afternoon with Daddy for quality time
• Daddy took Alexander to visit Steve, Ann & the girls while Mommy cleaned the house
• Everytime Alexander sees Daddy he smiles & giggles, it's very cute
• Getting ready for Alexander's Christening this coming weekend

Four Month Check-up

Alexander had his Four Month Check-up with Dr. M today (Friday) and everything went very well.

The numerical details first:
Weight: 12 lbs 15 oz
Height: 25"
Head Circumference: 39.4 cm

Although Alexander is still the smallest baby of our group, Dr. M is very pleased with his growth. Since the two month check up, he's gained 3 lbs 10 oz.

We got the ok to start solids so sometime over the next two weeks we'll try to see how Alexander takes to it. We can start with fruits & vegetables and see if he enjoys them. Dr. M suggested the "Rule of Ones" to help him get used to it. One tablespoon of One type of food for One Week - I think it'll depend on Alexander and how he reacts.

Shots - I'm happy to report that both Mommy & Alexander took the shots well this time around. There was crying (on Alexander's part, Mommy didn't watch) but it wasn't nearly as bad as last time. And we even went last because Alexander had fallen asleep. However, it didn't help that Dr. M stopped after the 2nd one to answer a question and poor Alexander was lying there crying, waiting for to be picked up, but of course I couldn't until Dr. M finished the shots.

It was nice to see how the other 4 babies have grown and are developing. Some are sitting up more than others, where as some are able to roll tummy to back and vice versa. I would say that all of the babies are pretty much on par with each other although each one has "something" going on. Alexander has this weird cold thing that isn't really a cold anymore so it could be allergies. One baby had a flat back of the head that Dr. M ordered x-rays to show the mom that her baby was just fine. I felt so bad for her because she was visibly upset. Another baby has a pretty bad case of reflux, and then another one has a 'stork mark' and when Dr. M told the parents that it would probably go away around the age of 4-8 yrs old, they look devastated. The last baby seemed to be doing well except that Dr. M would really like more naps. I really like our group and the people & babies in there. It'll be fun to watch them grow up, and would be nice if we could develop friendships & play dates from this.

The next appt is in September for the Six Month Check-up and again with more shots...

Football Fan...

Here is our little football fan. He was in such a good mood and he looked so cute, we just had to take pictures to show everyone.

Everytime I look at these, I smile because his grin is contagious!

Go Pats!

Mid-week Update

It's been fairly quiet and low-key around here. Even with the 4 month milestone & going to the zoo that's been the biggest thing going on.

We've been dealing with his cold, which is now almost 5 weeks long - seriously, do colds last that long?? I've called the doctor now three times about it and I don't even have to say "Alexander's Mom" anymore, just saying "It's Melissa" they know who I am. Which is a good thing in a way.
On the cold front, the past two days it does appear to be getting better. He's less congested at night and no longer has the nightly coughing episode. There also seems to be less snot around. Yay for less snot.

Other than that he's just been going to school, taking baths, playing in his exersaucer, going for walks, and this week he's started grabbing for his feet and finding his voice.

It's been so cool to watch & hear him "talk". He will just babble on and on. And there are moments when his expression will change when he realizes it's him making all the noise and he will get louder.

Miss Linda said that he's starting to interract with the other babies. They put the babies in a circle and he will "talk" to them. She also said that when the other babies babble, that Alexander will alertly pay attention and wait for them to finish. Then he will babble on as if it's his turn.

Two days a week, Alexander is the only boy baby in the room so he gets to flirt with 3-4 little girl babies...and I guess he does just that. I should have known he'd be a flirt. Regardless of who's there when we go to pick him up, they all say that he's such a happy baby and only cries when he's hungry, gets bored, or doesn't want something.

And since it's quiet this week as we prepare for his Christening next weekend, here are some observations I've noticed:


-He rubs his head while eating


-He puts his hand(s) over his eyes while eating as if to say "Don't bother me right now"

-He'll hold my finger or hair while eating and then try to put my hair in front of his face

-He's not strong enough to hold himself up when sitting but he is really good at keeping himself up when I have him stand on my legs

-He's found his feet and have started to grab for them often

-He loves to slurp on his hands & fingers...sometimes he tries to get the whole hand in there and ends up gagging

-He's really good at rolling over (tummy to back) and can go either left or right. Still can't roll from back to tummy yet.


-The other day started to inch his way up a blanket

-Can take his binky out of his moth and if he's holding it with both hands can get it back in his mouth

Likes/Dislikes
-His favorite toy really seems to be my hair dryer. He will watch me blow dry my hair and follows the sound the hair dryer makes

-He LOVES watching me put lotion on my arms and rubbing it in. He will sit there, smile and laugh. The longer you do it, the harder he laughs. It's the cutest thing to watch. Weird, but cute.


-He's starting to grab a hold of my hair and put it in front of his face