We went for Baker’s 4 month well visit first thing this morning and my how much this sweet girl has grown!  Dr. Butler was impressed by her rolly polly legs and double chin(s).  We have a healthy baby girl on our hands.

Baker at FOUR months

Baker loves to play this month!  I have really noticed a change in her observance of the hanging toys on the play mat as well as her Sophie.  We have two of those loud giraffes- one stays at home and one always remains in the diaper bag.  She has mastered the grasping of toys and once she gets ahold of the toy it goes straight into her mouth.  EVERYthing goes into her mouth these days.  She found both her feet and her hands this month and has one or the other in her mouth at all times.  No signs of teeth just yet, but we are approaching the stages, I think.
She has become very aware of her surroundings.  Responds to someone calling her name, dad’s voice, and even recognizes the twins’ when they are playing.  She loves to be close and loves to be touched. The moment she gets near you she’s reaching and grasping to pull you in.
I sort of love it.
The drool and spit bubbles have started and I’m making use of the drooler scarves more than I thought I would.  Baker is a l m o s t blowing raspberries – she sticks her entire fist in her mouth and blows as hard as she can.  It won’t be long before she figures out that game.  Baby girl holds her bottle by herself and is nearly able to sit up unassisted.. which isn’t too far off because all she wants to do is pull up to the seated position.
She rolls from tummy to back and we have almost gotten her to roll from back to tummy.  She hasn’t mastered moving that arm out of the way, so she ends up hanging out on her side.
Don’t mind the belly.

Over this last month, sleeps has been a touchy subject.  I type this out, eyes burning, while sitting on the sofa in the living room, Baker in the swing after a night of NO SLEEP for anyone and me finally giving up and resorting to swing sleeping and me curled in a ball on the couch. We had the same kinda party the night before.  Baker started having a hard time sleeping through the night the moment I went back to work.  Literally.  It was a combination of being sick and congested with allergies and because I wasn’t feeding her enough in her bottles during the day (mom of the year).  We figured out the milk thing pretty quickly, and bumped her bottles from 4oz to 6oz, but while she was able to self soothe before by sucking her thumb, the congestion she was having wouldn’t allow her to be comfortable enough to breathe well period, let alone suck her thumb.  Even though that has past, we are still partying about every other night (all night) over the last three weeks. I am slightly convinced that she is dealing with a couple things- 1.) four month sleep regression. and two.. she misses her mama during the day.  BUT at this age babies go through so many cognitive changes + developments its so hard to tell what in the world is going on with her.  Could it be gas? Who knows. I am hoping we see relief with the probiotic. I would be a little more in tune to doing medication if she seemed miserable all the time, but she’s so happy, so I don’t think that’s her biggest problem. I do know that I miss the sleep we were all getting- but really I don’t mind getting up with her.
Naps are pretty consistent at 3-4 times throughout the day.  She is awake much longer between feedings and its been really fun to have her interact into our regular daily routine instead of sleeping the day away.  She will usually take her first nap about 9:30-10am which will be anywhere from 45 minute to 1.5 hours.  Her next nap in around 1pm and some how the stars aligned for me and I have gotten all three girls to be on the same afternoon nap schedule (I have no secrets as to how I did that!)  This is Baker’s longest nap during the day and is anywhere from 2-3 hours.  She will be awake through the rest of the afternoon and cat nap in the evening for about 45 minutes or so around 5-6pm.. perfect timing for me to get through the rush of dinner.
Now,  If we could get her to be consistent with her sleep through the night we would be in good shape:)

 What a big girl you are, sweet one!  I’ve absolutely loved seeing your amazing personality shine this past month!  You have a smile for everyone you see and we can’t help but smile back at you..it is 100% contagious.  You are contagious.  Everyone seems to fall in love with you the moment they lock eyes.  You are still quite the talker, whether it be to people, your toys, mama or daddy, your sisters.. and especially that spider in the sky (ceiling fan).  Occasionally you’ll have me locked in a gaze, grabbing my arm as if to say “what I’m about to say is very important, mama!”  You also love to chat me up while nursing, which is adorable but makes feeding slow.  I do wish I knew what exciting stories you were sharing.  
You have discovered both your hands and your feet this month and are chewing away on your fingers and toes constantly.  When your hands aren’t in your mouth they are holding your tiny feet.  Right before I went back to work we transitioned you from the swaddle to the sleep sac.  I never really loved the swaddling to begin with, so even though your big sisters were swaddled until almost 6 months, you were over it and have loved the freedom to be able to kick your legs and flail your arms freely.  You also graduated to size 2 diapers!  That belly of yours is out.of.control. and it takes everything I have not to blow raspberries all over your tummy anytime its peeking out from your shirt or during diaper changes. You are so very precious when it comes to how loving your personality has become.  So much like Jo it is unreal.  It is my absolute favorite when you pull me in as close as possible and whale your raspy voice in my face.  Hands down some of my favorite moments with you, my sweet girl.  
A few weeks ago you rolled over from your stomach to your back!  I’m not sure who was more shocked, you or your mama!  But I was sitting right there to witness it and it was the greatest feeling ever.  I was so proud and cheered you on to do it over and over again.  You’ve rolled several times since and are now trying to roll from back to stomach.  No luck yet.. not until we figure out that pesky arm in the way.  

Your legs are so strong!  You love to stand on our laps and can do it for quite awhile.  You would just assume hang out like that than sit still on our laps for any length of time.  You are just so cute, Baker!!

Your sisters are the absolute best and it shows how much you love them.  You immediately reach for them the second they come close to you.  They love it and squeal “she’s holding my hand, mama!” and you talk talk talk their ears off.  What sweet siblings you girls are and how lucky am I to get to watch all this from above.

HAPPY FOUR MONTHS to the sweetest and most happy baby girl on the planet.
Oh, how I love you so.