4 Months

Owen recently had his 4-month checkup at the doctor's office...where of course he had to get shots again...

Here are his stats:

Head circumference: 41 cm (25th percentile)

Length: 24 1/4 inches (25 percentile)

Weight: 11 lbs. (less than 1st percentile)

So as you can tell, Owen's a little, itty, bitty guy. Obviously the weight is concerning, but the doctor wasn't overly worried since he appears to be happy, healthy and developing appropriately. She said, "We just need to get his weight up." Which means I now have to supplement Owen's feedings with formula to add some bulk to his bony body.

Here are some of Owen's most recent accomplishments and activities that bring joy to his life:

• Owen's sleep has been all over the place. He dropped down to four hour stretches, then back up to 6-8 hours, the again back down to 4 due to getting a cold toward the end of the month. Hopefully this is just a phase and he will get back up to a more regular (and extended) sleep schedule.

• He still eats about the same (for a long time) but as I said above, we are going to be changing that up by adding some formula into his diet. Hopefully that will fatten him up a bit.

• He loves to stand and with some assistance, he has gotten good at pushing himself up into the standing position.

• He still loves to suck on his fists and fingers, and has improved his ability to suck on one finger (typically his pointer finger). Sometimes when he does this though, he gags himself...which makes me laugh. :)

• He likes to be held facing outward so he can see and interact with the world around him. (This has been referred to as the "touring position" by his Great Uncle Steve)

• He has started doing this silly cough/laugh/cry thing that is fairly amusing. I think it typically occurs when he's "on the edge" and needs sleep.

• For some reason he gets mesmerized when I blow dry my hair in the morning and will just stare at me and the hair dryer.

• He can follow me in a 180 degree arc from side to side and also looks up and back above his head.

• He enjoys playing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and giggles when his hands go from knees to toes.

• On August 16th, he turned over onto his side while he was trying to reach for a birdie dangling from above on his play mat.

These are some pictures of Owen demonstrating his skill at arching and pushing himself onto his side while on the changing table:

• He loves grabbing at things and holding on tight. I have learned this the hard way, as he especially enjoys doing a double fisted grab of my hair when I lean in to kiss his tummy, neck or cheeks.
  

• He is starting to explore with his mouth and gets great satisfaction from putting things in his mouth. He specifically likes to grab his burb cloths and suck on them.

• And...much to my chagrin, Owen LOVES to balance on Daddy's hand. He always gets a huge smile when Daddy does "balance practice" when he comes home from work. Miles says he's going for a solid minute, but he's only lasted up to about 10 or 12 seconds at most. Lately, he has been surprising Miles by spontaneously sitting in the middle of the balancing act. Luckily, Miles is careful so I don't worry too much about him falling.

It's amazing all that he accomplishes in a month. I am excited to see how he will grow and develop in his fifth month!