Dr. Seuss Fun

Elena woke up from her nap, and what did she find, but some new Dr. Seuss books! Thanks, Granny and Bob-bob! She loves them. :) :)

Olivia--Four Months Old

Olivia has grown leaps and bounds this month! She is so much stronger, holding her whole torso up. Her head still bobs back and forth some sometimes, but overall her upper body control is very good. She can hold herself up in the exersaucer much better, and she doesn't get tired as fast in the Bumbo. I can hold her on my hip now, though I like to use two hands.

Olivia is interested in toys now! She loves to grab them and pull them to her mouth. She'll swing her arms around until her hand hits the toy. She's not very good at turning the toy to get it into her mouth, but if it lands there, she's a happy camper. She looks so serious about it while she is working on a toy. If it gets out of her field of vision, though, she usually drops it. The swing has basically lost its appeal, because she can't reach the toys on the tray, and it frustrates her.

She really likes to sit up. While she can't do it herself, she is not very happy in a partial recline and she will try to sit up herself, usually resulting in a lurch too far forward. She can ride in the regular stroller now, with the shoulder straps of course. She is totally over the carseat in the stroller. She wants to sit up and see. Her rolling over is getting better. Still only tummy to back, and not effortlessly, yet, but she can get it done much more consistently.




Her sleeping was not so good for the last month. She's been pretty erratic at night and will wake up at least one time. Largely that's because she's started going to sleep earlier. The screaming episodes from last month were, I think, from being over-tired, so I've been more on top of getting her down as soon as she seems ready to go to sleep. Unfortunately for me, often that is as early as 5:30 or 6, even 4 once. I thought I was putting her down for a nap that time, but she just kept sleeping! So, she still sleeps between 7 and 10 hours, but with such an early bedtime that results in a middle of the night feeding. Her naps, though have stayed pretty consistent. The 9am nap is the most consistent, then a 12, then a 3 or 4. The last one is the hardest for her, she will often cry before she goes to sleep. I walk her around the room, singing, and when she's just asleep, I put her down.

She's eating every three hours in the day, which is nice for me. We have a lot more flexibility that way. And, since she turned four months, she's tried out some bananas in the mornings. She is not a big fan. She will swallow a couple of bites, but she makes faces the whole time. We'll see how she does in the coming weeks, and if she doesn't want it, we'll wait until next month to try again.


Olivia has found her squawking voice. She will holler without crying now, which Elena knows, "Sis fuss." She doesn't babble as much now as she did in the beginning of the month, with coos and rolling "r"s. It was adorable while it lasted, and hopefully she will get back into it again. :)

Olivia still loves her sister. Since her "tracking" with her eyes skills have been greatly improved this month, she can keep her sister in view more easily now. She loves to watch Elena, smile at her, and touch her when Elena will hold still enough! They give each other kisses, too - it's so sweet!

We are enjoying Olivia's sweet smiles, which she loves to give to anyone who will take a minute to smile at her. She charms everyone she meets with her big grin and her smiley eyes. She is happy to have them hold her, as well, although she sometimes wants Mom back and makes it known with a stiff body, red face and monster yell! She is a girl of extremes - very laid back and calm, but when she gets upset, you can't miss it. And often it will last awhile. But, thankfully, those upset times are far outnumbered by her sweet, calm times. It's such a blessing to have a baby who is so content!