4 Short Months

This evening as I was working on a Christmas project, I came across the videos we took of Michael right after he was born, in just 4 months I have forgotten just how tiny and fragile he was! While he is still a tiny guy, we have come a long way in these short 4 months. Gone are the days where it took two people to give him a bath, change his diaper, and pick out his outfits. Gone are the nights where 45 minutes consecutive minutes of sleep seems like a miracle, where I didnt even want to get under the blankets because I knew I would be up before I really fell asleep, and where we were figuring out how to eat. Now we have the eating thing down, bathtime takes one person 5-7 minutes depending on how wet we want the kitchen to be, and it isnt unusual to get 4+ hours of sleep in a row. There is less guessing about what Michael needs/wants these days, while he can't talk, his cries are easier to understand, we have settled into a routine, and our communication skills have improved drastically. I am still nervous about how to raise a 6 month old, toddler, and dont get me started on the teen years, I have developed a bit more confidence in what to do with Michael in the stage we are in- we will grow into the other ages with time, but I can change a diaper one handed, carry him without worrying about dropping him, and a myriad of other things that 4 months ago I would never have thought possible. Michael has turned into such a fun guy, his personality develops more each day- he loves to smile and laugh, and LOVES it when all the attention is focused on him. He likes to cuddle, would prefer that all naps either happen with another person sitting beside him or holding him, he loves to be outside, would rather sit up than lay down, and can't get enough of "head, shoulders, knees, and toes". His cry has gone from so quiet and hoarse to window shattering, he is learning what he likes and dislikes, and has no problem letting us know. He likes to look at himself in the mirror and on the computer, would prefer that all phone conversations occur on speaker (so he can hear them), and doesnt like to ride in the car with the radio off.

While there are some things that make me want to scream (just a little bit), things like refusing to take a nap, the whine that leads to up to bedtime, and the squirming that happens each and every time I try to brush his crazy hair, I wouldnt trade this guy for anything. Some days are challenging, but others are so rewarding, and look at how far we have come!

Good night cute Mikey!